Home2021 Certificates of Competency for Nominees to be Chiefs of Mission ...Kaplan, Jonathan Eric – Republic of Singapore – August 2021 hide Kaplan, Jonathan Eric – Republic of Singapore – August 2021 Certificate of Competency June 25, 2021 REPORT FOR THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS UNITED STATES SENATE SUBJECT: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of Demonstrated Competence — Foreign Service Act, Section 304(a)(4) POST: Republic of Singapore CANDIDATE: Jonathan Eric Kaplan Jonathan Kaplan is a prominent executive, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose career has spanned numerous industries. He is the co-founder and current Chairperson of EducationSuperHighway, a nonprofit organization that has garnered bipartisan federal support and built partnerships with governors in all 50 states to bring high-speed internet to 48.6 million children in K-12 classrooms classrooms across the nation. Professionally, Mr. Kaplan is best known for founding Pure Digital Technologies and inventing its revolutionary Flip video camera. In 2009, Cisco bought Pure Digital Technologies and Mr. Kaplan became Senior Vice President and General Manager of its Consumer Products Division, managing a billion-dollar portfolio with over 1,000 employees in offices worldwide. Mr. Kaplan has traveled to over 75 countries and worked closely with corporate and government officials in China, Europe, Japan, and South Korea. Mr. Kaplan most recently was the founder and CEO of The Melt, a multi-unit California chain of fast casual restaurants based in San Francisco. Earlier in his career, he was the President and CEO of Sega.com, one of the world’s first online gaming platforms and before that he was the founder and CEO of FamilyWonder, an entertainment and technology company. As a longtime member and former Chapter Chair of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) Mr. Kaplan has been part of a delegation of chief executives that routinely meets with corporate management and government leaders in dozens of countries. His demonstrated leadership skills, his ability to build effective partnerships throughout government, his considerable experience in international business, and his innovative vision all combine to make him a well-qualified candidate to serve as American Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore. He earned a B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University and was named Northern California 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young.
