As one of the strongest small business leaders in the National Security Industry, Rita Peterson has defied the odds, carving out a legacy of innovation, resilience, and empowerment. With a deep connection to her ancestral heritage, she is unwavering in her mission to uplift individuals, break barriers, and create pathways to success for talented professionals of all backgrounds. Her vision is rooted in economic empowerment, opportunity creation, and fostering a future where excellence is accessible to all.

For nearly two decades, Rita has led Caribou Thunder, small business with a big impact, driving cutting-edge initiatives within the National Security, Defense, and Intelligence Communities. Her leadership has been instrumental in delivering rapid, precision results, mission-critical solutions, operational success, and ensuring the security of our Nation alongside trusted industry partners. Under her direction, Caribou Thunder has become a key player in National Security, providing the technical expertise, agility, and forward-thinking strategies necessary to navigate the complexities of the industry.

As a visionary entrepreneur, Rita excels in overcoming adversity, turning challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth. Her strategic leadership and adaptability have positioned Caribou Thunder at the forefront of National Security, Global Defense, Space and Deep Space Defense, driving cutting-edge solutions in an ever-evolving industry. Working alongside her exceptional team, she continues to push boundaries, leading complex projects that enhance defense capabilities. Rita has successfully navigated one of the most demanding markets in the U.S., where small businesses often face detrimental challenges. The growth and sustainment of Caribou Thunder stand as a testament to her resilience, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment to excellence—ensuring the company not only endures but thrives in its service of mission fulfillment.

Eric Peterson is Caribou Thunder’s Chief Operating Officer, bringing extensive experience in business development and sales with some of the most recognized Fortune 100 companies. Over the course of his career, Eric has consistently driven measurable growth by building high-performing teams, developing winning strategies, and forging long-term partnerships in highly competitive industries.

At Caribou Thunder, Eric provides the strategic leadership necessary to expand market presence, pursue new business opportunities, and cultivate relationships that strengthen the company’s standing within the Aerospace, Defense, Intelligence, and National Security sectors. His deep expertise in complex sales cycles, government contracting, and enterprise-level negotiations uniquely positions him to guide Caribou Thunder’s growth initiatives with precision and foresight.

Eric’s leadership is defined by a results-driven mindset, a collaborative approach, and an ability to translate big-picture vision into executable strategies. He is deeply committed to advancing Caribou Thunder’s mission, ensuring the company remains agile, innovative, and a trusted partner to government and industry leaders alike.

Beyond his professional achievements, Eric is passionate about mentorship and organizational development, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement across the teams he leads. His influence not only drives Caribou Thunder’s business success but also shapes its long-term impact on national security and emerging technology programs.

As Chief Operating Officer (CGO) of Caribou Thunder, Tom Piffarerio is a driving force behind the company’s rapid growth, operational success, and industry expansion within the Department of War (DoW), National Security, and Intelligence Communities. His leadership has been instrumental in scaling Caribou Thunder, strengthening its market presence, and ensuring long-term sustainability. With a proven track record in execution excellence, business development, and compliance, Tom ensures the efficient delivery of mission-critical solutions, aligning with contract requirements and advancing customer mission objectives.

With deep expertise in Defense contracting, regulatory compliance, and risk management, Tom specializes in navigating complex programs, ensuring alignment with evolving priorities, and maintaining full adherence to FAR/DFARS, ITAR, and advanced cybersecurity regulations. He excels in contract negotiations, stakeholder engagement, and operational oversight, leveraging a solutions-oriented approach to optimize resources, drive efficiency, and enhance program performance in high-stakes environments.

A strategic leader with a forward-thinking vision, Tom drives Caribou Thunder’s continued success by fostering key industry partnerships, strengthening customer relationships, and implementing scalable processes that enhance efficiency and growth. His ability to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and drive innovation ensures the company remains a trusted provider of cutting-edge engineering services and technical solutions in the National Security, Department of War, and Intelligence Communities. Through visionary leadership and operational agility, he continues to position Caribou Thunder at the forefront of Defense contracting, innovation, and mission success, reinforcing its role as a leader in delivering high-impact solutions that support National Security objectives.

As Caribou Thunder’s first Program and Account Manager, Gage Murawski plays a pivotal role in expanding the company’s presence within the Department of War (DoW), National Security, and Intelligence Community. With a proven track record in leading high-profile defense programs, he enhances Caribou Thunder’s ability to support complex technical missions, strengthen client relationships, and drive strategic growth in the defense sector.

As an experienced Program Manager, Gage excels in team development, performance optimization, and results-driven execution. Working in a small business environment, he effortlessly adapts to multiple roles, demonstrating organizational agility and a well-rounded leadership approach. His problem-solving skills ensure seamless operations, while his ability to motivate, develop, and communicate effectively fosters an exceptional, mission-driven workforce.

Gage works closely with Defense partners and Industry leaders, ensuring Caribou Thunder consistently exceeds expectations in service excellence, compliance, and innovation. His leadership represents a key milestone in the company’s rapid growth, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality, technically advanced solutions that address the evolving demands of National Security, Defense, and Intelligence operations.

Beyond his core responsibilities, Gage is pioneering Caribou Thunder’s strategic initiative to become a Prime Defense Contractor in 2025. His leadership and close collaboration with CEO Rita Peterson, serve as a critical link between Executive Leadership, their customers, and frontline teams executing high-priority missions. With a steadfast commitment to National Security, operational excellence, and cutting-edge advancements, Gage continues to drive Caribou Thunder’s evolution, fostering a culture of growth, mentorship, and excellence while solidifying the company’s reputation as a trusted leader in the Defense industry.

Alexis Sanchez serves as Caribou Thunder’s first Chief of Staff, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing the company’s leadership and strategic initiatives. Beginning as Caribou Thunder’s first Bookkeeping Intern, she quickly proved her adaptability and drive, evolving into an indispensable team member whose responsibilities now span executive support, project management, strategic relationship building, marketing and branding, and operational excellence across multiple business functions. She manages the CEO’s complex schedule, coordinates high-level meetings, and facilitates engagements with key leaders in Defense and National Security, while also overseeing event and travel logistics to ensure Caribou Thunder’s strong presence at industry conferences, political engagements, and major networking events.

Beyond her Executive responsibilities, Alexis’s contributions extend into Caribou Thunder’s philanthropic non-profit organization, Indigenous Minds. She serves as a Board of Directors member and Treasurer, overseeing finances, and leading the coordination of the weeklong S.T.E.A.M.S. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, and Spirituality) Camp; an initiative dedicated to empowering underprivileged students from impoverished areas across America.

Alexis’s proficiency, professional agility, and passion to learn makes her an invaluable asset to Caribou Thunder. She continuously seeks to expand her knowledge in National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, positioning herself for long-term growth in these critical industries. Her ability to seamlessly manage high-level responsibilities, enhance executive operations, and drive strategic initiatives underscores her commitment to Caribou Thunder’s mission, customers, and employees—both domestically and internationally.

Salvador Rosas is a dynamic and results-driven Recruiting Manager with extensive experience in talent acquisition within the Department of Defense (DoD) industry. With a proven ability to develop and execute high-impact recruitment strategies, he plays a pivotal role in identifying, attracting, and securing top-tier talent for mission-critical National Security, Defense, Intelligence, Space, and Deep Space programs. His leadership ensures Caribou Thunder remains at the forefront of delivering elite, security-cleared professionals to support the nation’s most sensitive and strategic initiatives.

A highly analytical and data-driven leader, Salvador specializes in workforce planning, process optimization, and strategic hiring initiatives, ensuring every recruitment effort is aligned with DoD contract requirements and mission objectives. His expertise in performance metrics and talent pipeline development enables continuous refinement of hiring strategies, increasing efficiency, retention, and overall program success. His ability to anticipate workforce demands and align recruitment efforts with evolving defense priorities makes him an indispensable asset in strengthening Caribou Thunder’s talent infrastructure.

Beyond his strategic approach, Salvador is a passionate team builder and mentor, fostering a culture of collaboration, professional development, and operational excellence. Through comprehensive training programs, hands-on leadership, and effective communication, he empowers recruiters to enhance candidate engagement, streamline hiring processes, and deliver exceptional talent solutions. His leadership has been instrumental in scaling Caribou Thunder’s workforce to meet the increasing demands of the Defense industry.