Former Trustee

Mr. Jason A. Santamaria

"To retain the title of “world’s greatest fighting force,” the Marine Corps must continue to invest in leadership development and education so that Marines in unfamiliar overseas environments are armed with the problem-solving skills they need to think creatively, act decisively, accomplish the mission and come home safely. Because appropriated government funding is not sufficient to achieve these ends, I find serving on the Board of the Marine Corps University Foundation, which brings the “power of the private sector” to bear on the Marine Corps’ most pressing educational needs, to be a true privilege."

Jason is currently the Senior Director, Enterprise Transformation for the Avery Dennison Corporation.

Prior to joining George Group, Jason managed his own consulting firm, worked as an associate in Morgan Stanley's investment banking division in New York, and was a business analyst with McKinsey & Company.  From 1994-1998, he served as an artillery officer in the United States Marine Corps, where he held the positions of battery commander, executive officer, fire support coordinator, platoon commander, and forward observer.  From 1993-1994, he conducted research in international economics as a J. William Fulbright Scholar in Venezuela. 

His education includes a BA in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa, and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the lead author of The Marine Corps Way, a highly acclaimed business leadership and strategy book, and the co-author of two Harvard Business Review articles.  In 2003, he received a leadership award from then-Secretary of State Colin Powell.

His personal interests include: kite boarding, snowboarding, backpacking, water skiing, scuba, swimming and classic cars.

Jason, his wife, Kimberly, and their children Michael and Suzanne reside in Orange County, California.