ABOUT US
Who We Are
THE TEAM
PRESIDENT
JOHN RETTIE
John has 16 years of experience in manufacturing and construction. John started his career at ConXtech a structural steel manufacturing company where he worked for over a decade. He helped with the growth and manufacturing of up to 200 employees as the Director of Fabrication. Before joining Hester Fab, John worked at RAD Urban a manufacturer of pre-fabricated and pre-finished Urban apartment buildings as the director of Manufacturing/Co-GM.
John plans on building on the knowledge of the incredible team to continue to deliver the value of the Hester brand.
In his spare time, John enjoys going on outdoor adventures with his wife and son.
Mechanical Engineer
Chris Van Steyn
Chris joined Hester in 2019. After years of experience in engine building and fabrication, Chris went back to school and graduated from UC Davis with a degree in mechanical engineering. He quickly adapted to Hester's ways of "getting after it" Without a doubt, Chris will stay until the end of the day to get the job done.
On he's downtime, Chris likes to spend his time working on cars and motorcycles, but most of all Chris loves spending time with his baby daughter Teagan.
Mechanical Engineer
Wiggins
Daniel aka "Wiggins" joined us from another fabricator and brings a breadth of knowledge that is hard to compete with. In addition to consistently winning our morning trivia, he is also a machinist, and project manager and can figure out a solution to just about any problem. He has a deep knowledge of mechanical devices of all types and is an accomplished engine builder. Wiggins has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from San Jose State University
In his spare time, Wiggins can be found machining heads or rebuilding an engine.
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Alina Bylard
Alina started at Hester in 2022. She is a fresh graduate of Walla Walla University with a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering and Physics. Alina’s main duties involve modifying 3D models that fit customers’ specifications and designs and are manufacturable, as well as creating models from scratch for shop use and fabrication.
While not at work, Alina can be found spending time with family and experimenting with VR headsets.
Shop Manager
Kevin MArek
Kevin joined Hester Fabrication in the summer of 2021. Before joining Hester Fabrication, Kevin spent 12 years working in the structural steel industry, leading a team of product development engineers and developing a product line for manufacturing structural steel. In addition, Kevin set up multiple fabrication facilities worldwide in remote areas such as Saudi Arabia and Mexico.
In his spare time, Kevin enjoys being outdoors on his boat or out on the trail in his Polaris RZR.
Office Manager
Janette Salas
Janette joined the team after a tenure working at a major consumer retailer. Among other things, she manages the accounting, material procurement, HR, and generally keeps us all in line. Janette runs a very tight ship which helps facilitate many aspects of project success from beginning to end. In addition to being the glue that holds the team together, she is also the lead arbiter of Spanish/English translations.
Janette has what could be described as a passion for true crime mysteries and Harry Potter.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and watching true crime documentaries.