Born up the freeway in Albany, Erik grew up on the family farm in Springfield. A graduate of Thurston High School, he leveraged a BA in Geography into a career in retail and aerial photography, then worked in renewables and energy management at Lane Community College. Erik enjoys traveling, most recently to visit family in Finland. When not at work or hiking, Erik and his brother work to maintain the farm and raise vegetables, nuts, berries and tree fruit. Erik previously served on the Budget Committee from 1995-1998.