The Eastern Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

The Eastern has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, finance, and human resources.

Driven by innovation, The Eastern is dedicated to designing, manufacturing, and selling a diverse range of engineered hardware and security solutions, impacting industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets globally.

Leadership Roles at The Eastern

  • Chief Executive Officer - Ali Waugh
  • Chief Executive Officer & Founder - Marjan Safi
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Ryan Schroeder
  • Chief Financial Officer - Nicholas Vlahos
  • Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - John Sullivan
  • Chief Operating Officer - Carsten Ostenfeldt
  • President, Anglo-Eastern Crew Management Inc (Philippines) - Gilbert Garcia
  • President - Kevin Fogarty
  • Chief Information Officer - Torbjorn Dimblad
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Michael Sandaluk
  • Ali Waugh - Chief Executive Officer

    Ali Waugh, the Chief Executive Officer at The Eastern, directs the company's overall strategic vision and operational execution. Waugh guides the firm's expansion across industrial hardware, security products, and metal products segments, ensuring alignment with market demands for engineered hardware and security solutions. This leadership involves overseeing the design, manufacturing, and sales processes that serve original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients. Waugh's focus remains on driving innovation and maintaining the company's established position in the American engineering and manufacturing landscape. The Chief Executive Officer ensures that The Eastern's diverse product offerings, from locks and latches to secure access control systems and specialty castings, meet rigorous application requirements across various industries. Waugh's strategic direction supports the company's global operations and its commitment to delivering both standard and custom-engineered solutions. The Chief Executive Officer's oversight extends to fostering relationships with key partners and clients, solidifying The Eastern's reputation for quality and reliability in specialized infrastructure hardware and vehicular components.
    Ali Waugh

    Marjan Safi - Chief Executive Officer & Founder

    Marjan Safi, the Chief Executive Officer & Founder at The Eastern, established the company's foundational principles and continues to shape its long-term strategic trajectory. Safi's role involves setting the overarching vision for The Eastern's engineering and manufacturing endeavors, particularly in the industrial hardware, security products, and metal products sectors. The Chief Executive Officer & Founder's influence is critical in guiding the company's commitment to innovation and its expansion into diverse markets, including industrial, vehicular, and commercial applications. Safi's leadership ensures that The Eastern consistently delivers a broad spectrum of engineered hardware and security solutions, catering to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients worldwide. The Chief Executive Officer & Founder's deep understanding of the company's origins fuels its ongoing pursuit of excellence in areas such as secure locks, access control systems, and specialized metal products for mining and construction. Marjan Safi's continued involvement reinforces the company's dedication to providing both standard and custom-engineered solutions, maintaining its status as an established American firm with global reach.

    Ryan Schroeder - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Ryan Schroeder, the President & Chief Executive Officer at The Eastern, drives the company's comprehensive operational strategy and market engagement. Schroeder's leadership encompasses the full spectrum of The Eastern's activities, from the design and manufacturing of industrial hardware, security products, and metal products to their global sales and distribution. The President & Chief Executive Officer ensures that the company's diverse engineered hardware and security solutions effectively serve industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets. Ryan Schroeder's oversight extends to managing relationships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients, emphasizing the delivery of both standard and custom-engineered solutions. This role involves steering the company's growth in key segments, including secure locks, access control systems, and specialized metal products for infrastructure and industrial applications. The President & Chief Executive Officer's strategic initiatives focus on enhancing operational efficiency and expanding market penetration across multiple countries, reinforcing The Eastern's position as a leading American engineering and manufacturing firm.
    Ryan Schroeder

    Nicholas Vlahos - Chief Financial Officer

    Nicholas Vlahos, the Chief Financial Officer at The Eastern, manages the company's financial strategy, reporting, and fiscal health. Vlahos oversees all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and investment analysis, ensuring the fiscal stability and growth of The Eastern's diverse business segments. The Chief Financial Officer's expertise is critical in guiding financial decisions related to the design, manufacturing, and sales of engineered hardware and security solutions for industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets. Nicholas Vlahos plays a key role in managing financial relationships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients, supporting the company's global operations. This leadership position involves ensuring compliance with financial regulations and optimizing resource allocation across the company's product lines, such as industrial hardware, security products, and metal products. The Chief Financial Officer's strategic financial planning supports The Eastern's capacity to offer both standard and custom-engineered solutions, reinforcing its market position and long-term profitability.

    John Sullivan - Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    John Sullivan, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at The Eastern, collaborates with the Chief Financial Officer to manage the company's financial operations and strategic fiscal planning. Sullivan's responsibilities include overseeing financial reporting, managing capital expenditures, and supporting investment strategies for The Eastern's diverse engineering and manufacturing segments. The Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures financial integrity across the design, production, and sales of engineered hardware and security solutions for industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets. John Sullivan plays a crucial role in financial analysis and risk management, supporting the company's interactions with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients. This leadership function is integral to maintaining the financial health of the company's industrial hardware, security products, and metal products divisions. The Vice President & Chief Financial Officer's contributions are essential for The Eastern's capacity to offer both standard and custom-engineered solutions, reinforcing its financial stability and growth objectives.

    Carsten Ostenfeldt - Chief Operating Officer

    Carsten Ostenfeldt, the Chief Operating Officer at The Eastern, directs the company's day-to-day operational activities and manufacturing processes. Ostenfeldt oversees the efficient production and delivery of The Eastern's diverse range of engineered hardware and security solutions, spanning industrial hardware, security products, and metal products. The Chief Operating Officer ensures that manufacturing facilities operate at peak performance, supporting the company's commitment to quality and timely delivery for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients. Carsten Ostenfeldt's responsibilities include optimizing supply chain logistics and managing production workflows to meet the demands of industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets globally. This leadership role is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the company's product lines, from locks and hinges to secure access control systems and specialty castings. The Chief Operating Officer's focus on operational excellence underpins The Eastern's ability to provide both standard and custom-engineered solutions, reinforcing its reputation for reliability and technical proficiency in specialized infrastructure hardware.
    Carsten Ostenfeldt

    Gilbert Garcia - President, Anglo-Eastern Crew Management Inc (Philippines)

    Gilbert Garcia, the President, Anglo-Eastern Crew Management Inc (Philippines) at The Eastern, directs the strategic operations and management of crew services within the Philippines. Garcia's leadership focuses on ensuring the efficient deployment and management of maritime personnel, aligning with the broader operational scope of The Eastern group. The President, Anglo-Eastern Crew Management Inc (Philippines) oversees the recruitment, training, and welfare of crew members, maintaining high standards of professional conduct and operational readiness. Gilbert Garcia's role is crucial in supporting the maritime logistics and operational requirements that complement The Eastern's diverse business segments. This leadership position involves managing the specific needs of the crew management division, ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations and industry best practices. Gilbert Garcia's dedication to crew excellence contributes to the overall reliability and operational success of the maritime services offered.

    Kevin Fogarty - President

    Kevin Fogarty, the President at The Eastern, drives strategic initiatives and operational oversight across key business units. Fogarty's leadership focuses on enhancing the company's market presence and operational efficiency within its diverse engineering and manufacturing segments. The President ensures that The Eastern's product development and sales strategies align with market demands for industrial hardware, security products, and metal products. Kevin Fogarty plays a vital role in fostering relationships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients, supporting the company's global distribution network. This leadership position involves guiding the strategic direction of specific divisions, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality engineered hardware and security solutions. The President's focus on operational excellence and market responsiveness contributes to The Eastern's sustained growth and its reputation for providing both standard and custom-engineered solutions across various industries.

    Torbjorn Dimblad - Chief Information Officer

    Torbjorn Dimblad, the Chief Information Officer at The Eastern, leads the company's technology strategy and digital infrastructure. Dimblad is responsible for implementing and managing the information systems that support The Eastern's engineering, manufacturing, and sales operations across its diverse product lines. The Chief Information Officer ensures that technology solutions enhance efficiency and innovation in the design and production of industrial hardware, security products, and metal products. Torbjorn Dimblad's role is vital in supporting the company's global reach, enabling seamless communication and data management for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients. This leadership position involves overseeing cybersecurity measures, data analytics, and the integration of new technologies to maintain The Eastern's competitive edge in industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets. The Chief Information Officer's strategic technology vision supports the company's ability to deliver both standard and custom-engineered solutions, ensuring robust and secure operational capabilities.

    Michael Sandaluk - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Michael Sandaluk, the Chief Human Resources Officer at The Eastern, leads the company's human capital strategy and organizational development. Sandaluk oversees talent acquisition, employee relations, and compensation and benefits programs, ensuring The Eastern attracts and retains a skilled workforce. The Chief Human Resources Officer's role is critical in fostering a positive and productive work environment that supports the company's engineering and manufacturing operations. Michael Sandaluk's strategic initiatives focus on developing employee capabilities to meet the evolving needs of the industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets served by The Eastern. This leadership position involves aligning HR policies with the company's business objectives, including the production of industrial hardware, security products, and metal products. The Chief Human Resources Officer's efforts are instrumental in supporting the company's global operations and its commitment to delivering high-quality, custom-engineered solutions to clients worldwide.
    Michael Sandaluk

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding The Eastern Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads The Eastern?
    The Eastern is led by Ali Waugh (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Marjan Safi (Chief Executive Officer & Founder) and Ryan Schroeder (President & Chief Executive Officer).
    Who is part of The Eastern’s executive team?
    The executive team of The Eastern includes leaders such as Ali Waugh (Chief Executive Officer), Marjan Safi (Chief Executive Officer & Founder), Ryan Schroeder (President & Chief Executive Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does The Eastern have?
    The Eastern has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in The Eastern’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of The Eastern includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer.