Eric Pittman grew up in a small town in Northwest Indiana and graduated high school with 27 classmates. He went on to study pharmacy and radiation physics at Purdue University, where he met his future wife.

Eric applied for a position with the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2002, and the rest is history. He served as a supervisory investigator in the Chicago District Office where he won 2011 Office of Regulatory Affairs Supervisory Investigator of the Year and went on to lead the Division of Human and Animal Food Domestic Operations. He currently serves as the Program Division Director for Bioresearch Monitoring West and is responsible for inspections of clinical and non-clinical trials, post-market adverse drug experiences, and risk evaluation and mitigation strategies. He also serves as the U.S. Delegate to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Working Party on Good Laboratory Practices.

In 2021, Eric went back to school and earned a master of business administration degree at Youngstown State University where he was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi. When his daughters were younger, he volunteered with Job’s Daughters International and as a youth soccer and volleyball coach.

Let’s get to know Eric!

Why did you accept the invitation to join Phi Kappa Phi?
Obviously, I am an older student, but the recognition of the hard work I put in was appreciated. It means that someone recognized my hard work to further my education and improve myself.

What are your hobbies?
I am a Freemason and very involved with the Scottish Rite and Shriners (you know, the guys with the red fezes).

What would you do if you won the lottery?
Quit and open a luxury dog boarding facility with mobile grooming capability.

Who was your favorite teacher in school?
Senora Platt, regardless of how bad I did in Spanish, always kept me pushing forward. She went on to travel the world and sent me postcards from all over. I returned the favor when I started traveling abroad.

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Someone once gave me a sign to hang in my office that said, “Warning Bullpen; Do Not Provoke the Bulls.” That sounds about right!

What song would you say best sums you up?
Jimmy Buffett’s “We are the people our parents warned us about.”

What is your proudest life accomplishment?
Outside of my daughters and our family, I think it is the excellent work I have done throughout my career. I have accomplished amazing things and been able to protect public health. What higher calling is there?

What was the last movie you went to see, and how did you like it?
The Batman…definitely different, but a good different. I am really looking forward to the Next Dr. Strange.

What celebrity would you like to meet?
I think the one thing that COVID has taught us is that celebrities are not as important as we may have used to believe; however, Jimmy Buffett – hands down.

What is your favorite sport to watch?
Softball. Our youngest daughter is a travel softball player and a pretty darn good one too!

To learn more about Eric and connect, visit his profile within our online member community, here.

Is there someone you would like to see in the spotlight? Send your nomination to engagement@phikappaphi.org and be sure to include basic information for the nomination.