Born and raised in Thompson, CT, Eric Kapitulik attended Pomfret Preparatory School where he excelled as a three-sport varsity athlete. Upon graduation, Eric matriculated at the United States Naval Academy, where he was a four-year varsity letter player on the Division I Lacrosse team.

After graduation in 1995, Eric went on to serve as both an Infantry Officer and Special Operations Officer with 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, 1st Marine Division. As a 1st Force Reconnaissance Platoon Commander, Eric led 20 covert operations specialists in Special Forces related missions including long range reconnaissance patrols, hostage rescue, high altitude jump exercises, ship takeovers and gas-oil platform takedowns.

In 1999, during a routine training mission to prepare for an upcoming deployment to the Persian Gulf, Eric and his platoon were in a helicopter crash that resulted in the death of seven Marines. As a result of this tragic crash, Eric created the Force Reconnaissance Scholarship Fund in memory of his fallen Marines. Eric holds himself to high standards and always strives to do "one more." Eric has participated in eight Iron Man Triathlons, The Canadian Death Race Ultra Marathon, The Eco Challenge, and The American Birkebeiner Ski Marathon. He has summited five of the Seven Summits (the highest peaks on the seven continents); Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. McKinley, Mt. Aconcagua, Mt. Elbrus, and most recently, Mt. Everest.

What motivates Eric to be a leader?
"As Colonel John Ripley, USMC and Navy Cross Recipient once told me, "Kap, you set very high standards. Most people will not be able to meet those standards... that does not mean that you should lower those standards." I want to lead teams because I want to be the one who sets the standards. And at The Program, we set high standards... for ourselves first, and then every individual and team with whom we are privileged enough to work."

College/Graduate School:
U.S. Naval Academy '95, University of Chicago '05

Degree:
BS Economics, MBA

Military Experience:
Major, United States Marine Corps, Platoon Commander, 1st Force Reconnaissance Company