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Todd Hagopian: Career & Biography

Stagnation Slaughters. Strategy Saves. Speed Scales.

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Todd Hagopian

Todd Hagopian, American business executive and author

Todd Hagopian (born March 19, 1980, in Ann Arbor, Michigan) is an American business executive, author, and entrepreneur. He is the VP of Product Strategy at JBT Marel‘s Diversified Food & Health division and Founder/CEO of Stagnation Assassins. Hagopian is the creator of the HOT System (Hypomanic Operational Turnaround) methodology and author of The Unfair Advantage: Weaponizing the Hypomanic Toolbox (Koehler Books, 2026).

Known For

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  • Creating the HOT System (Hypomanic Operational Turnaround) methodology
  • Leading the $175 million turnaround at Whirlpool Corporation’s Side-by-Side Refrigeration division
  • Authoring The Unfair Advantage (Firebird Book Award, Literary Titan Award, NYC Big Book Distinguished Favorite)
  • Generating $2+ billion in shareholder value across Fortune 500 companies
  • Featured in Forbes 30+ times

Career Highlights

Metric Value
Career Sales Volume $3+ Billion
Shareholder Value Created $2+ Billion
Company Scale Experience Startups to Berkshire Hathaway
Major Transformations 5+ documented turnarounds
Book Awards Firebird, Literary Titan, NYC Big Book
Social Following 100,000+ across all platforms

Table of Contents

  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Early Career
  3. Whirlpool Corporation
  4. Illinois Tool Works
  5. Berkshire Hathaway
  6. Entrepreneurship
  7. JBT Marel
  8. The HOT System
  9. Publications
  10. Media Appearances
  11. Frequently Asked Questions

Early Life and Education

Todd Hagopian was born on March 19, 1980, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He began working at age 14, eventually managing an ice cream store while in high school, where he gained early experience in labor scheduling, inventory management, and cash reconciliation.

Hagopian earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University in 2004. He completed his MBA from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business in 2009, double-majoring in Marketing and Finance. Prior to pursuing his MBA, Hagopian scored 168 on the LSAT and 710 on the GMAT.

Early Career

American Express Financial Advisors

After graduation, Hagopian joined American Express Financial Advisors (Fortune 500) in a commission-only role. He was promoted to financial advisor coach and later interim district manager. When American Express spun off Ameriprise Financial, Hagopian had established a results-oriented approach to sales and leadership.

Comerica Bank

At age 25, Hagopian became one of the youngest branch managers in Michigan at Comerica Bank, inheriting a failing branch on the brink of closure. Within 18 months, he transformed it into one of the fastest-growing locations in the system. He was promoted to Branch Officer at age 26.

Whirlpool Corporation (2008–2015)

Hagopian joined Whirlpool Corporation (Fortune 500, NYSE: WHR) through their Brand Portfolio Leadership Development Program. His tenure included work with major retailers including Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sears, Best Buy, IKEA, and Amazon.

Category Manager: Waste Management and Value Dishwashers

At 29, Hagopian managed a $100 million business segment. He grew the premium waste management division by 60%, landing accounts including IKEA and HH Gregg.

Side-by-Side Refrigeration Turnaround

Hagopian transformed Whirlpool’s Side-by-Side Refrigeration division from a $175 million annual loss ($500,000 per day) to break-even over 3.5 years. Key strategies included:

  • Strategic Price Increases: Two significant price increases that intentionally reduced market share from 53% to 29%
  • Customer Portfolio Rationalization: Maintaining margin integrity over volume preservation
  • Sniper SKU Strategy: Introducing targeted SKUs including a non-dispenser refrigerator that challenged industry orthodoxy

He was promoted to Senior Product Manager of Side-by-Side Refrigeration, leaving the three-rotation leadership development program after only two rotations.

Senior Sales Manager, Sears Laundry

Hagopian managed over $900 million in sales with a $22 million discretionary promotional budget. Within one year, Sears became the fastest-growing laundry account within Whirlpool.

Illinois Tool Works (2015–2018)

Hagopian grew Illinois Tool Works’ (Fortune 500, NYSE: ITW) Weigh Wrap division from $42 million to $67 million in US revenue—a 60% increase achieved without launching new products. He introduced fleet-based selling to replace the traditional break-fix model.

His customer roster included Kroger, Safeway, Ahold Delhaize, Publix, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Meijer, and Giant Eagle. He was promoted to Business Unit Manager at age 37 with full P&L responsibility.

Berkshire Hathaway (2018–2020)

Berkshire Hathaway (Fortune 2, NYSE: BRK.A) hired Hagopian as President of Unarco, a $50 million shopping cart division with 150 employees across three plants. His accomplishments included:

  • Landing a $50 million contract with Walmart/Sam’s Club
  • Designing a new cart that recaptured Sam’s Club business
  • Closing China operations and consolidating Virginia operations into Oklahoma headquarters
  • Improving market share at six of the top ten accounts

His position was eliminated during COVID-driven reorganization in 2020.

Entrepreneurship (2020–2023)

Plastic Manufacturing Acquisition

Hagopian invested his life savings to acquire a plastic manufacturing company producing chemical tank liners. He doubled the business in 3.5 years using HOT System methodologies before selling to private equity.

Player One Energy

Hagopian co-founded Player One Energy with Kevin Hobbie, developing a helium-based Bitcoin mining operation. The venture is valued at over $3 million based on recent investment.

JBT Marel (2023–Present)

Hagopian joined JBT Corporation (Fortune 1000, NYSE: JBT) as Product Line Director. Within five months, he was promoted to General Manager of Bevcorp, a $300 million acquisition.

Following the Bevcorp turnaround, Hagopian was promoted to VP of Product Strategy at JBT Marel’s Diversified Food & Health division, a $1 billion business unit. His customer portfolio includes Nestlé, Campbell’s, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Dr Pepper, and Refresco.

The HOT System

The HOT System (Hypomanic Operational Turnaround) is Hagopian’s proprietary business transformation methodology. The system emerged following his bipolar diagnosis and subsequent effort to codify successful transformation patterns.

Core Components

  • The 80/20 Matrix of Profitability: Analysis revealing which customer-product combinations create versus destroy value
  • The Karelin Method: Framework creating 5.76x productivity advantages through the formula: Volume (1.2x) × Efficiency (1.2x) × Focus (4.0x)
  • The 3-A Method: Six-week improvement cycles (Apprehend-Analyze-Activate)
  • Orthodoxy-Smashing Framework: Systematic identification of limiting industry assumptions
  • The Raise-Your-Hand Rule: Accountability mechanism for challenging non-value-add activities

Results Across Company Sizes

Company Type Example Result
Startup Player One Energy Valued at $3M+
Small Business Plastic Manufacturing Co. Doubled in 3.5 years, sold to PE
Fortune 1000 JBT Marel Bevcorp Two promotions in two years
Fortune 500 Whirlpool Refrigeration $175M loss → break-even
Fortune 2 Berkshire Hathaway Unarco $50M Walmart contract

Publications

Books

The Unfair Advantage: Weaponizing the Hypomanic Toolbox (Koehler Books, January 2026)

  • ISBN: 9798888249710
  • Awards: Firebird Book Award, Literary Titan Book Award, NYC Big Book Distinguished Favorite
  • Endorsements: Howard Behar (former President, Starbucks), Jeffrey Liker (author, The Toyota Way)

Hagopian has a three-book publishing deal with Koehler Books. Upcoming titles will expand on the 80/20 Matrix of Profitability, the Karelin Method, and the 3-A Method.

Investment Writing

Hagopian has published investment analysis on Seeking Alpha and managed biotech and defense funds through Marketocracy, outperforming all U.S. equity mutual fund managers over a five-year period.

Media Appearances

Hagopian has been featured in Forbes 30+ times, including:

Additional media coverage includes The Washington Post, NPR, and Fox Business. View complete press coverage →

Podcast Appearances

Hagopian has appeared on 100+ podcasts, including:

He also hosts the Stagnation Assassin Show. View complete podcast list →

Social Media

Frequently Asked Questions

What companies has Todd Hagopian worked for?

Todd Hagopian has held leadership positions at Whirlpool Corporation (Fortune 500), Illinois Tool Works (Fortune 500), Berkshire Hathaway (Fortune 2), and JBT Marel (Fortune 1000). He has also founded and led his own companies.

What is the HOT System?

The HOT System (Hypomanic Operational Turnaround) is Todd Hagopian’s proprietary business transformation methodology. It includes frameworks such as the 80/20 Matrix of Profitability, the Karelin Method, the 3-A Method for continuous improvement, and orthodoxy-smashing techniques.

Is Todd Hagopian bipolar?

Yes. Todd Hagopian publicly disclosed his bipolar diagnosis in 2025. He systematized the productive elements of hypomanic cognition into the HOT System, making transformation methodologies teachable to leaders without the condition.

What awards has Todd Hagopian’s book won?

The Unfair Advantage: Weaponizing the Hypomanic Toolbox has won the Firebird Book Award, Literary Titan Book Award, and NYC Big Book Distinguished Favorite.

Where did Todd Hagopian go to college?

Todd Hagopian earned his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and his MBA from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business, double-majoring in marketing and finance.

What is Todd Hagopian’s current role?

Todd Hagopian currently serves as VP of Product Strategy at JBT Marel‘s Diversified Food & Health division, a $1 billion business unit. He is also Founder/CEO of Stagnation Assassins.

What customers has Todd Hagopian worked with?

Throughout his career, Hagopian has worked with Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sears, Best Buy, Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Nestlé, Campbell’s, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Dr Pepper, IKEA, and Amazon.

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