In this episode of Beyond Strategy, we sit down with Erik Wittreich, CEO of Ridgeline International, a cutting-edge software and technology firm at the forefront of digital privacy and surveillance protection. A proud portfolio company of Enlightenment Capital, Ridgeline has become a key player in the national security technology space—supporting U.S. government agencies and private sector clients with secure infrastructure, digital signature management, and managed attribution solutions.

Based in Tysons, Virginia, Ridgeline is not just a tech company—it’s a mission-driven partner helping clients counter the growing threats of ubiquitous technical surveillance and global data exploitation. Erik shares how Ridgeline’s proprietary software and elite tradecraft empower customers to operate securely in an increasingly exposed digital world.

In this conversation, Erik walks us through Ridgeline’s strategic growth journey, including its 2025 acquisition of System High Corporation, another Enlightenment Capital portfolio company. The deal brought together two leaders in national security—merging Ridgeline’s digital protection capabilities with System High’s deep experience in protection and security engineering services.

With a background as an Army Green Beret, Erik brings a unique blend of military discipline and corporate vision to his role as CEO. He reflects on:

• His leadership evolution in high-pressure environments
• What it takes to build and scale mission-critical teams
• The strategy behind the Ridgeline + System High integration
• And the challenges and opportunities ahead in the world of digital defense and national security

Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, national security professional, or simply curious about where technology meets mission, this episode delivers insight, inspiration, and a look into what it means to lead at the edge of innovation.

Tune in now to hear Erik Wittreich’s powerful perspective on leading Ridgeline International into its next era.