Jason Funk | President

Jason entered the industry and began his career with Western in 1999 while completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Global Business Management from Arizona State University. After his hiring, Jason was quickly promoted to several different roles throughout the company. This broad-based experience, as well as the completion of his Master of Business Administration from ASU, provided him a solid foundation and deep understanding of the firm and its employees that preceded his promotion to President in 2006. Since assuming Western’s leadership, Jason has focused on the growth of the business. He has led the company toward geographic expansion, greater diversification of job types, creation of new products and a steadfast commitment to customer service. He has transformed Western and created a culture that sees all of its employees committed to three core values: excellence, innovation and partnership. His unique approach to business — including his "employees first" operations model — has helped the company's sales skyrocket under his direction.

In 2012, he was selected for the Phoenix Business Journal's "40 under 40" list honoring the best young leaders in Arizona as well as U.S. Glass magazine's "Industry's Most Influential" list, which is published once every four years.

On a personal level, Jason is active in many organizations including holding a board position with YPO (Young Presidents' Organization) and also serves on the board of the MVP Foundation, which helps better the lives of children and families in need.

Scott Leech | Vice President of Sales

With more than 20 years of experience in construction, manufacturing and outside sales, Scott now leads our sales team that continues to produce record business. His technical knowledge and focus on customer service helped drive the company from a primarily local manufacturer and installer to the nationally recognized company that exists today. Scott has also helped lead our sales growth internationally to develop a strong presence in Mexico and Canada.

Scott has been with Western since 1994 and has served in all facets of the company including Field Installation, Project Management and Dealer Sales. As Vice President, Scott oversees all sales initiatives, including our rapid expansion into new target markets.

Scott Gates | Vice President & General Manager

Scott entered the window and door industry in 2001, while working toward his Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Arizona State University. Since that time, he has sold and managed a variety of window products and been involved in the development of several profitable business ventures within the industry. His focus has always been architecturally driven, and working with architects and designers on the finite details necessary to execute their vision is one of Scott's professional joys.

His major responsibilities of managing day-to-day operations include implementing the strategic vision of Western’s executive team by developing systems and empowering managers to ensure long-term success. This includes partnering with colleagues across marketing, human resources, sales, purchasing, operations and IT to enhance company culture, grow vendor relationships and deliver new product releases to the market. Currently, Scott's focus centers around implementing a lean transformation across the entire organization.

On a personal level, Scott's passion for helping people comes through his work with several local and global nonprofit organizations. Whether serving on the boards of Gilbert mega-church Sun Valley Community Church and nonprofit charity Orchard: Africa or traveling annually to work with organizations in impoverished communities in Mexico, Brazil and South Africa, his hope is to better the lives of children suffering in poverty across the globe.

Justin Runyan | Information Technology Director

Justin manages all facets of technology inside the walls of Western. Since joining the team in 2006, he has helped improve the security and integrity of our current information systems. Justin also maintains current operating systems functionality and looks for new ways to improve current technologies in the office and on the floor. His ability to troubleshoot and learn new systems quickly has helped him gain a grand understanding of the ongoing development of custom window systems and the applications and people that help to create them from start to finish.

Justin started his career in information technology in 2001 and holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science and information systems from the University of Maryland.

Rick Lingen | Chief Financial Officer

With more than 20 years of experience in the building materials distribution, manufacturing and specialty construction industries, Rick leads Western’s finance and accounting team. His hands-on approach and passion for customer service and support of operations strengthens Western’s dedication to excellence.

Rick started his career with Price Waterhouse Coopers after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. As a Certified Public Accountant, Rick dedicated his public accounting career to serving entrepreneurial and growth-oriented companies, becoming a partner in a regional accounting firm specializing in service, distribution, manufacturing and construction industries. His background in public accounting led the way to his successful career as controller and chief financial officer in private companies.

Rick has been an active CPA for more than 30 years and has served as a board member and treasurer for numerous nonprofit organizations. When Rick is away from analyzing operations or crunching numbers, you will find him enjoying time with his family and friends or playing with his hobby for classic cars.

Garvin Peterson | Operations Director

Garvin works in a key role as Western moves toward being a best-in-class manufacturer of outstanding door and window products. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and began his six sigma and Toyota Production Systems training at Motorola in the early 1980s. To date, he brings more than 25 years of Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing implementation experience to our team.

By employing strategic thinking and planning from the operations vantage point, Garvin maintains a philosophy of customer focus and changing the employee experience as he drives Western toward being a lean enterprise with exceptional products.

Chet Willis | Volume Program Sales Manager

A veteran of 37 years in the window industry — including more than 20 years in operations management — Chet joined the Western team in 2011 and since that time has spearheaded the growth of our Volume Program. Currently managing seven states, his efforts to develop strong relationships with builders such as Shea Homes and Blandford Homes have helped the company achieve record sales and create a bright future.

Outside the Western offices, Chet can be found hitting the open road with his wife on their beloved Harley-Davidsons every weekend.

Ty Cranford | Business Development Manager

Ty has been in the window and door business since 1991. He has been involved at the dealer, distributor and manufacturer level, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and the rewards of the of window and door business today.

Ty feels as a business development manager it is important to ensure that existing markets are properly developed through marketing, a strong architectural presence and having the proper dealer network in place.

Ralph Thomas | Supply Chain Procurement

Bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience in supply chain and materials, Ralph leads the Purchasing Department at Western. He has traveled extensively in Asia and Europe handling procurement, logistics and distribution for a U.S.-based manufacturer that had factories in the U.S., maquiladora operations in Mexico and OEM manufacturing in Asia. In addition to his manufacturing experience, Ralph has more than 10 years of customer-facing management experience in retail store operations.

Ralph is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with Bachelor of Science degrees in both administrative science and marketing. He completed his MBA at California State Polytechnic University Pomona along with additional training in APICS, Lean and Six Sigma.

April McLaughlin | Human Resource Manager

As Western's Human Resource Manager, April brings with her broad-based functional skills and multi-industry experience. Her core strengths comprise working collaboratively with executives and managers to analyze complex problems and find innovative solutions A strategic player, April excels in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, and can roll-up her sleeves to achieve goals and objectives.

April has an extensive background in HR generalist affairs, including experience in full-cycle employee recruitment and retention, strategic staff development and training, employee relations, mediation, conflict resolution, benefits and compensation, HR policy development, labor relations and legal compliance. She has demonstrated success in negotiating win-win compromises and is a focused leader/team player with well-developed negotiation, effective communication, strategic planning, development and creative problem solving skills.

April graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with her BA. Continuing her strive for continuous growth, she is currently studying to obtain her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification. Her outgoing, honest and open personality shines through in all that she does.

De Anne Hayhurst | Inside Sales Manager

Joining the window and door industry in 1989, De Anne has been a member of the Western team since 1995. With experience in sales service/project management, installation scheduling and office management, she now works as our Inside Sales Manager where she assists our accounting department and works closely with our production department as well as our sales team.

Chase Reynolds | Quality Control Manager

Overseeing the quality of the Western product, Chase's dedication to “quality first” as well as his fervor toward guiding our team to create a premium product line has enabled Western to establish and sustain prominence in the window and door manufacturing industry.

Chase began his career at Western in 2004, while finishing his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at the University of Phoenix. His experience working with several manufacturing departments and serving as our safety committee chair has provided him the groundwork necessary to perform the duties and functions of Quality Control Manager with a clear understanding that quality should never - and will never - be compromised.

In addition to his duties at Western Window Systems, Chase is currently working on his Masters of Business Administration through the Texas A&M University extension program. He is active in many organizations — including American Society for Quality (ASQ), Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA), Maricopa Chamber of Commerce, Institute of Cleaning Inspection and Restoration Certification (IICRC) — as well as the Phoenix Rescue Mission, which helps to feed and house needy women, children and men in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

Jeff Kesar | Graphic Designer

While 14 years of graphic design experience would make Jeff more than a vital member of our team, growing up around a machine shop gives him unique insight into the world of Western. Whether it’s this website, our award-winning marketing materials or a racecar, Jeff has spent his entire life building things that draw attention and envy. He honed this craft while working his way through school thanks to experience as a master fabricator and running his own graphic design business for more than a decade. In fact, Jeff's skills have even made a lasting impression on our headquarters thanks to his redesign of our training room and permanent displays throughout our offices and shop floor. So what future projects will Jeff be taking on? Tackling the next incarnation of our website and bringing a slew of industry-defining videos to Western’s stable of content.

When Jeff finally turns off his computer at the end of the day, he makes sure to ride his four-wheeler as much as he can, hike new trails and relive his rock star past while plucking the guitar on his patio.

Glen Froehlich | Product Design Manager

Since starting in the window industry in 1979, Glen has worked in numerous roles including common labor, machine setup and managing machining departments. A member of the Western team since 2000, his insight and decades of experience have been a valuable piece of our growth.

Today, Glen works as our Product Design Manager where he works daily to improve our existing products and creating new lines that will exceed the industry’s expectations.

At home, he can be found spending time with his wife, two children and one granddaughter when not indulging in his wood and metal craftsmanship hobbies.

John Dirksen | Senior Project Manager & CAD Department Manager

A member of the Western team since 2000, John brings more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry to Western — including stints as a licensed general contractor, building inspector and project superintendent. He applies this technical knowledge to aide our company in his position as project manager and drafting department manager.

John is responsible for design and implementation of many of Western’s most complex projects in all market segments. Working closely with the sales team to guide jobs from sales through fabrication and delivery, he also interfaces with shop floor personnel to help resolve fabrication challenges. Beyond that, John also oversees all facets of the computer-aided design and drafting team that creates fabrication drawings as well as special projects.

In addition to managing our ever-expanding CAD catalogue of projects, John holds commercial pilot and certified flight instructor certificates with several categories of advanced ratings.

Todd Hayhurst | Service Manager

Todd joined Western — and the window and door industry — in 1996. Since that time he has gained experience in shop fabrication, field installation, project management, contract management and, most recently, nine years as our California sales representative. This wide-ranging background is reflected in his performance and drive for excellent customer service on every job. Currently, Todd has taken on the challenge to establish a company-wide service program. Thanks to his background in installation and service, he has established himself as the go-to person for answers or challenging installation details in the field.

Chris Allgood | Production Control Manager

Tasked with the job of ensuring Western’s manufacturing floor stays on schedule, Chris’ daily routine can suddenly change from smooth sailing to hectic to back again every few hours. A self-described “production firefighter,” he also manages our shipping and receiving departments, communicates with our sales team and upper management, and implements all new procedures to increase production. His efforts have resulted in Western doubling our on-time delivery rate even at a time of record sales for the company.

Chris has amassed his knowledge through 19 years in the industry, working his way up from delivery driver to working as an install project manager and in customer service to managing shipping to his current role today. He has also recently earned his Lean and Six Sigma certification, reflecting Western’s commitment to more effective manufacturing techniques.

When not keeping Western’s production running smoothly, Chris volunteers as a member of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Posse.