At his first public appearance 70 years ago, Erik's mother recognized her smiling son as, "a performer". Since he formally began utilizing speaking as part of his career 35 years ago, he has enjoyed and entertained over 1,500 live-in-person audiences. Whether inspiring conferences, motivating businesses, entertaining audiences, or just bringing smiles to children of all ages in December, Erik's vision and mission remain the same, "Joy to the World! through Awareness, Education, and Action!”
Scroll down for Erik's career highlights of raising awareness, taking/producing/presenting education, and helping countless others take action to improve lives and bring smiles to everyone.
Commercial Electrical Apprentice 1971-1975
Advanced into management mid-1971.
Commercial construction management in Washington DC for 20 years. Built schools, laboratories, a police station, medical facilities, and federally funded public utility systems, plus remodeled large-scale and nationally acclaimed public housing projects.
Served on
Commercial Electrical Apprentice 1971-1975
Advanced into management mid-1971.
Commercial construction management in Washington DC for 20 years. Built schools, laboratories, a police station, medical facilities, and federally funded public utility systems, plus remodeled large-scale and nationally acclaimed public housing projects.
Served on the Mayor's Council on Housing, Washington DC
Offered a U. S. Presidential Appointment in 1990 to "fix" the U.S. public housing system.
Improved families and lives as volunteer, Board Chair then Executive Director, Habitat For Humanity of Metro Denver
Award-winning home remodeling/design business owner in Evergreen and the greater Denver area.
Produced and presented a 2-1/2 year live talk radio show in the Denver area "Build Responsible, with Erik!" est. 40k weekly listeners, national sponsors: Quad-Lock, Standard Renewable Energy, Showplace Kitchens & Bath
Volunteered with local and national professional and public service organizations
Subject Matter Expert
National Carpentry Standards (NAHB)
Project Management (NAHB)
Jefferson County Court Expert Witness
Education producer and presenter for aging-in-place design and modifications, business skills, and team development
Direct consulting to businesses and organizations
. . . and for the last three-plus decades, brought smiles and joy to the faces and hearts of children, of all ages, when he and his wife wear their beautiful red suits (hand-made by Mrs. Claus of course) during the Christmas holidays!
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Community Volunteer
(partial list)
Awarded, held, and taught the following 10 industry professional certifications:
Awarded, held, and taught the following 10 industry professional certifications:
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Education
(that I remember...)
Over 100 articles published and numerous education programs created and delivered since the early 2000s (partial list)
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Former education Provider License #2 for the National Association of Home Builders
Published in public & professional media:
Published in public & professional media:
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Seminar, conference speaker, and entertainer to over 1,500 live audiences in 30+ cities since 1990, not including virtual events!
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Awards
(partial list)
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a few fun "lessons-from-life" from Erik...
>> Elementary School <<
I recently found some old family photos of me wearing a bow tie, which interestingly became part of my public "look" decades later.
I still remember receiving the weekly award for, "Good Grooming". A result of my parent's always-positive influence.
I remember my mom teaching me, "If you want to eat well, learn to cook well". So I did, and have always loved cooking, especially for others. Today I realize how her words affected my life in so many ways. Examples: If you want to look nice, learn to dress nice. If you want a clean house, learn how to clean well. If you want a happy life, learn how to be happy.
>> Junior HIgh School <<
As a military family, we moved often and I quickly learned how to make good choices for new friends. Every morning my parents gave me a quarter and a dime for lunch. Before school, I bought three packs of chewing gum with my quarter. I sold those three packs at school for a quarter each. Then, after school, with my two extra quarters I played the pinball machines at the bus stop/convience store. I quickly learned to win more games to continue playing for longer, and when when it was time to go home, I gave the free games to my friends
>> High School <<
...or what I remember of the 1960's
In the 60's there were no film or related classes in high school. Besides being the #2 class clown, I produced, along with the help of my best friend, Gary Fisher, a 5-minute senior class movie, hand-splicing with tape a fully-edited movie using an 8 MM camera and a tape-recorder soundtrack. Somehow, I convinced the student council to pay for the film supplies. I remember when it was completed we were given permission by The Principal, for one day, to interrupt senior classes and debut the film!
>> College Years <<
I was accepted to Kent State in 1968. At the last minute, I switched to the University of Maryland to be around friends and close to home. I am relieved that I missed the infamous Kent State riots.
I took a job selling ice cream from a truck. After three days my boss asked me if I had given away any ice cream. I told him yes, a few children just did not have enough money. It seems that I had given away $18.75 more than I collected - over $150 in 2025 dollars. He polietly terminated my employment and told me, "You are too kind and generous, you should not be in retail."
I volunteered with a group of other students for a new food co-op providing students with affordable, quality food. We bought food in bulk, repackaged, and sold at cost.
My second year of college was interrupted and ended after the extended 1970 nationwide anti-war protests. During a week of riots on campus, my friends and I formed our own small group, and wearing vintage gas masks from a surplus store, we ran into the forays and rescued fellow students who were overcome by tear gas and brought them back to safety.
>> My Early 20's <<
I took a job at a local chain drug store and my first day was watering the plants out front, what a great job!
Someone suggested that I become an electrician - how hard can it be to screw in a light bulb? I took a helper position with a commercial electrical contractor building a new school and began my 4-year apprentiship program. My first day was handing materials up to workers on ladders and scaffolding. During that first day I calculated in my mind how many workers and their cost...the overall cost of building a school...how much land was disturbed...how many rabbits lost their homes because of the school...how many teachers would work there...how many students will go to school over the lifetime of the school...
Three months after my start, my role changed from helper to foreman - normally a 4+ year process, apparently because of my friendly, organized approach to successful team building construction management.
In the early 70s I built my own home. Except for the excavation, concrete, and plumbing, and asking lots of questions, I built a two-story, colonial-style home with a full walk-out basement by myself, and what an education!
>> My 30's <<
After developing and managing two retail stores, I moved back to the DC area and moved into large-scale commercial project management for government projects, such as the utility tunnels under the D.C. government buildings, Howard University renovations, and the then-new 7th District police station. My work included concurrent public housing renovations of up to $20m each, in today's dollars. I shared some suggestions for improving efficiency, lowering overall costs, and expediting the completion of projects with officials in the D.C. government and Department of Housing and Urban Development. As a result I was offered a U. S. Presidential Appointment to, "fix-our-public-housing-system".
>> in the past few decades <<
Created and managed an award-winning home remodeling company.
Served as a volunteer, then staff Executive Director for the Denver Habitat For Humanity, organizing a five-homes-in-five-days blitz build using all volunteers, produced the first-ever national executive director conference, and introduced the Habitat Resale Store concept in Denver.
Produced and hosted a Denver area talk radio show with 40k weekly listeners.
Became recognized as one of the leading national experts, education producers, and spokespersons for home accessibility.
For over 33 years I have worn The Big Red Suit during Christmas .
In my 50s I became a part-time, professional musician.
Spoken to over 1,500 in-person live audiences since 1990.
I beat prostate cancer.
My best accomplishment ever...
My amazing wife of 35 years, Frances.
My mid-40's daughter, Jasmine, and two wonderful granddaughters, Lavender and Marigold!
>> Please help me write the next chapters <<
Visit Home Accessibility Expert to learn about Erik as one of the nation's leading accessibility practitioners and educators for home safety, or visit Santa and Mrs. to learn how Erik brings happines and joy all year long.
Inspired by Happiness