J. Eric Barnes

Eric is the founder & CEO of KOR Water, an innovator transforming the experience of personal hydration in a way that is sustainable, rewarding, stylish and convenient. The KOR ONE Hydration Vessel, launched in 2008, has captured the attention of a global audience looking for a replacement to bottled water.

Prior to KOR, he founded Ivysport (www.ivysport.com), the Ivy League’s successful clothing and licensing brand. Eric is also a co-founder and board member of ePrep.com, the first video-based, college test prep company. Previously, he served as CEO of Kore Partners, a web and software development firm behind many of the media industry’s Internet efforts. Eric has held management positions with EMI Music and Home Box Office where he fused strategy, new business development, and the application of new technology to traditional media. While at EMI, Eric drove the consolidation of Capitol and Virgin Records’ $160 million catalog operations, which realized $9 million in annual savings. He began his career as an investment banker with Smith Barney and management consulting with Alpha International Management Group. Eric is a founding board member of the Producers’ Guild of America New Media Council, graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University and holds an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University. He lives in Orange County, CA with his wife and two daughters.