Meet Our Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

Dominic Capito: An Early Opportunity

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

SANTA ROSA — Thanks to a family connection, Dominic Capito got an early start in what would eventually become his career. “I first started plumbing during the summer between sixth and seventh grade,” he remembers. “We had a family friend who was a plumber and he offered me an opportunity to learn the trade. I spent the next several summers working for him. At first, I wasn’t thinking about it in terms of a future career—I just enjoyed fixing things. Plus, the pay was pretty good for a kid my age!”

Following high school, Dominic dove headfirst into full-time plumbing work. “I actually left high school early,” he clarifies. “I knew I wasn’t going to college, so I took the equivalency test and skipped my senior year. At that point, I was almost a journeyman-level plumber, so it just made sense to keep going. After gaining a few more years of experience, I decided to start my own business, which I did in 2010.”

Today, as owner of Elite Plumbing Services, Dominic says his favorite part of his job is the sense of accomplishment it gives him. “I enjoy helping people, solving problems and getting the job done. Everybody needs a plumber at some point, so it feels good to be the hero.”

A resident of Sonoma County, Dominic spends most of his time outside of work with his fiancée, Caity, and their children. “Caity and I each have two children, so we stay pretty busy keeping them entertained,” he details. “We take them to the park or the pool and attend their sporting events. On occasion, we like to get out of town and take trips to places like Tahoe and Hawaii.”

In his life and career, Dominic espouses the value of efficiency. “Time is the only thing you can’t get back, so I think it’s important to make the most of it,” he says. “That’s why I try to perform each job as efficiently as possible; otherwise, I’m wasting everybody’s time. The same goes for my personal life—even when I’m not working, I like to get up early and get as much as I can out of each day.”

When asked what he would do if he were to retire tomorrow, Dominic says he’d volunteer his time. “I still have a bunch of kids at home, so it’s not like I could just travel around Europe or something. Sure, I’d probably take a vacation, but realistically, I’d probably help at my kids’ school and find other volunteer opportunities.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?

A: Sweet T’s in Windsor.

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?

A: The Oakland Raiders.

Q: Did you play any sports in high school?

A: I played football, baseball and basketball.

Q: Are you a cat person or a dog person?

A: I’m a dog person.

Q: What kind of music do you like?

A: My go-to is classic rock—stuff like Boston, Queen and Led Zeppelin.