BBBP Secretary Eric Silva has been one of the Project’s strongest fundraisers, serving as co-chair of the 2014 and 2015 D.C. Boxing Classics, and is very passionate about the Project: “The Belfast-Beltway Boxing Project boils it all down to what really matters— giving young people from D.C. and both Belfast communities the chance to train together, learn from one another, and compete for their cities and countries. In the end, what you see are people from very different parts of the world finding out that their life experiences are in a lot of ways alike. New friendships are forged and respect is earned, both in and out of the ring. In a small way, this project gives us a glimpse into what’s possible when communities get together, set aside differences, and work for a common purpose.”     

Eric is an attorney and lobbyist who represents clients as an advocate and strategic counsel before the legislative and executive branches of the Federal Government. Prior to his private sector work, Eric worked as an aide to the United States Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and to the late Senator James M. Jeffords (I-VT). He got his start in Washington as a fellow for the Congressional Hunger Center and now serves as one of their board members. A proud Bostonian, Eric attended Boston College and did a stint at the District Attorney’s Office while attending the University of Notre Dame Law School. He is the recipient of Boston College’s John Joseph Moakley Award for International Service and Winston & Strawn’s Pro Bono Commitment to Service Award. He remains active with the American Ireland Fund Young Leaders Society and serves as Vice President and board director for the Boston College Alumni Association. And finally, lest the Portuguese surname fool you, he also hails from the Fitzpatrick and Cotter clans of East Boston and Charlestown, MA, respectively.