Meet David Kapij, Division Vice President at Extra Space Storage. Since joining in 2018, his responsibilities have expanded from District Manager to overseeing more than 150 stores in Michigan, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and upstate New York. In this Q&A, David shares his journey from retail to storage, offering insights into his leadership style and the values that have guided his career growth. Discover how David navigates the challenges of a dynamic industry and what advice he has for aspiring leaders in today’s competitive business world.

How did your career path lead you to Extra Space?

I spent most of my career in retail. After relocating from New England to the Mid-Atlantic and living through the uncertainty of annual restructurings in my retail career, I decided that it was time to pursue an opportunity with more stability and balance. I also wanted to ensure that the environment was engaging and stimulating for me with potential for long term career growth. Extra Space attracted me because it met those criteria, and the people I interviewed with were smart and approachable.

What do you like most about your current position?

Our division is unique in that our leadership team is mostly new to the company or new to self storage. What I really enjoy right now is helping our District Managers through the newness. Every day I get the chance to teach and coach, sometimes it is Extra Space or storage specific, and other times it is an opportunity to help someone be a more effective leader.

What is the best advice you’ve received in your career?

When you make a mistake, own it, and learn from it.

What advice would you give to future leaders?

I’ve been very fortunate to work with some outstanding people and I have stolen a lot of wisdom from them. Your career is a marathon. If you want it to last, be balanced, consistent, and fair. Understand that you affect many people with your words and actions, both at work and at home. Be humble and realize that people helped you get to where you are, so pay it back by helping others in their career. Be a leader that you would want your kids or spouse to work with.

Looking to grow and advance your career? Learn more about leadership opportunities and other jobs on our careers page.