Service first for VP at Home Depot

Following in the footsteps of many family members, including his father who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Pete Capel joined the Marine Corps in 1983, The Home Depot related. He later joined the company, working his way to vp.

Capel was originally employed as a store sales associate in the electrical dept. at Home Depot.

Since then, he’s held positions of increasing responsibility over his 30-year career with the firm. Today, the retailer said, he’s the vice president of field merchandising for the northern, southern and western divisions. 

As a leader in a fast-paced environment, Capel draws on his experience in the Marine Corps to guide his leadership style. “The Marine Corps taught me discipline and the ability to remain calm in very stressful situations,” he said.

“I learned how to make informed, decisive decisions very quickly,” added Capel.

In the U.S. Marines, Capel served seven years maintaining and repairing radar systems, promoting to the rank of sergeant.

After Pete left the Marine Corps in 1990, he began to think about what was next in his life. That’s when his story with The Home Depot started in the most unlikely of ways.  

“Pete was getting his hair cut when Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank, Home Depot co-founders, appeared on TV,” said firm related. “As they were talking about how the company got started, Pete looked up and saw that there was a Home Depot store across the street.”

After his appointment ended, Pete walked over and immediately applied for a job, the company explained.

For Capel, giving back to communities in need is something he’s passionate about. He currently serves as a board member for The Home Depot Foundation and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, an organization that honors the life of firefighter Stephen Siller and the sacrifice he made on Sept. 11, 2001.

“Capel was proud to be awarded the Navy Achievement Medal twice,” the retailer noted, “an award that recognizes outstanding achievement or meritorious service and is recognized across all military branches.”

The Home Depot noted it employs more than 35,000 veterans and military spouses throughout the company.