Erik... Speechin' & Teachin' to help you

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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

• Aging Well in Jefferson County (now called Age-Friendly)
• Blue Spruce Habitat For Humanity
• City of Arvada ADUs Legislation
• Colorado Home & Garden Show
• Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG)
• Evergreen Chamber of Commerce
• Evergreen Kiwanis
• Evergreen Rotary
• Habitat For Humanity of Evergreen
• Habitat For Humanity of Metro Denver
• Home Builders Foundation of Denver Auction (produced and raised $42k)
• Housing in Summit County 2019
• Jefferson County ADUs
• Mayor's Housing Summit, Washington, D.C.
• Mountain Area Land Trust
• Mountain Resource Center
• Rebuilding Together
• Senior's Resource Center
• Santa Claus for 33 years

Awarded, held, and taught the following 10 industry professional certifications:

1. Electrical Apprenticeship 1974
2. Certified Aging in Place Specialist #43 - National Association of Home Builders  2003
3. Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing - National Association of Home Builders 2004 
4. Certified Graduate Remodeler  - One of the first National Association of Home Builders 2005
5. Certified Green Professional -National Association of Home Builders 2008
6. Certified Lead Renovator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
7. Lead Dust Sampling Technician -U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2112 
8. Certified Living In Place Professional - Co-founded and produced all education for the Living In Place Institute 2013
9. Living In Place Associate - Co-founded and produced all education for the Living In Place Institute 2113 
10. Home & Accessibility Trade Specialist - Co-founded and produced all education for the Living in Place Institute 2013

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Education

that I remember...

• University of Maryland 1968-1970 
• Electrical Apprenticeship Program 1971-1975
• Project Management 1984 (University of Maryland)
• Project Management II - Profitable Job Cost Management 1985 -(MCA/NECA/SMACNA)
• Job Supervision 1986 (Mechanical Contractors Association/National Electrical Contractors Association/Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association)
• Advanced Course on Construction Claims  1986 (Mechanical Contractors Association/National Insulation Contractors Association/Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association)
• HVAC - Trane Mfgr. Company
• Developing Executive Leadership 1987 (American Management Association)
• How to Manage Multiple Projects, Meet Deadlines, and Achieve Objectives 2000 (CareerTrack)
• Negotiating Skills 2000 (NAHB)
• Customer Service 2000 (NAHB)
• Business Management 2000 (NAHB)
• Estimating 2001 (NAHB)
• Off-Site Project Management 2001 (NAHB)
• On-Site Project Management 2001 (NAHB)
• Quality Construction 2001 - NAHB
• Marketing and Communicating with the Aging in Place Client (CAPS I) 2003 (NAHB)
• Design Concepts and Methods for Livable Homes and Aging in Place (CAPS II) 2003 (NAHB)
• Details and Solutions for Livable Homes and Aging in Place (CAPS III) 2003 - NAHB
• How to Delegate Work and Ensure It's Done Right 2005 (CareerTrack)
•  Profitable Business through Quality Practices 2005 - NAHB
• Emotional Marketing 2008 (AZE)
• The Best Use of your Marketing Dollars 2008 (AZE)
• Lead Renovator (CLR) - Initial and Refresher Courses 2011 (Environmental Protection Agency - EPA)
• Dust Sampling Technician(LDST) 2011 (EPA)
• Living In Place Professional 2013

Over 100 articles published and numerous education programs created and delivered since the early 2000s partial list

• Carpentry Standards 
• Subject Matter Expert
• National Association of Home Builders
• Project Management 
• Subject Matter Expert
• Course re-write National Association of Home Builders
• How to Choose the Right Contractor
• The Remodeling Rollercoaster
• 7 Ideas for Aging-in-Place at Home
• Communicating with Subcontractors
• Creating Goals
• Creating Project Teams
• Reimagine Housing
• Remodeling for Today and Tomorrow
• Grab Bars
• Your Ideas Can Change the World
• Body Language for Building Professionals -first presented at the 2013 NAHB International Builders Show
• Branding and Marketing
• Business Management
• Expectations of Fun!
• Eye Contact
• Home & Accessibility Trade Specialist 
• Producer and co-founder
• Seminar Marketing – Your Best Marketing Tool
• S.M.I.L.E. When You Say That! – Tips on Talking
• Strategic Planning
• What Makes a Client Say...YES!
• Hazards in Your Home – Lead, Asbestos, and Mold
• Outdoor Living, Deck, and Entertaining
• Landscaping Responsibly
• Saving Energy in Your Home
• The Remodeling Experience
• How to Finance Your Project
• Tips for Saving Energy in Your Home
• Remodeling Now and for the Future - Handicap Accessibility
• Remodeling Now and for the Future
• - Accessibility in Your Home
• Home Exteriors - Siding, Windows, and Doors
• Kitchens and Baths
• - What’s Green?
• Sell or Refinance? 
• - Options for Your Home
• 12 Tips for Going Green - RESPONSIBLY!
• Green Designs and Interiors
• What to Expect During a Remodeling Project
• Solar Lighting - Simple Solutions for Remodeling
• Champagne Kitchens on a Beer Budget
• Fixing to Stay - Home Remodeling for a Lifetime
• How to Hire Your Dream Remodeler
• Kitchen Cabinets and Remodeling
• Be Prepared! - Planning and Organizing for a Successful  Remodeling Project
• More Bang for Your Remodeling Buck 
• Your Home in Lights - Projects in Print & on TV
• Green means to BUILD RESPONSIBLE  
• There's a New Trade in Town

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Former education Provider License #2 for the National Association of Home Builders

Published in public & professional media:

• New York Times
• U.S. News & World Report
• Wall Street Journal
• Washington Post
• White House Chronicles
• Women's Day
• AARP Bulletin
• Denver Post
• American Society of Aging
• Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine
• Kitchen & Bath Design News
• Professional Remodeler
• ASHI Reporter
• Bottom Line Personal
• CE Pro
• Colorado Serenity Magazine
• Canyon Courier Newspaper
• Golden Transcript
• The Daily Journal
• Council of Professional Remodelers Newsletter
• Outlook by Weather Shield
• Colorado Construction Magazine
• Denver television and international public radio
• Podcasts
• Webinars
• Interviews

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Seminar, conference speaker, and entertainer to over 1,500 live audiences in 30+ cities since 1990, not including virtual events!

• Aging Well in Jefferson County - now titled Age-Friendly
• American Electrology Association 
• American Occupational Therapy Association - Conference speaker for five consecutive years
• American Society on Aging
• American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
• Colorado College
• Colorado Home & Garden Show
• Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association (CEDIA)
• National Kitchen & Bath Association Chapter Presenter 
• NKBA
• Home Shows in Denver, Evergreen, and Conifer Colorado
• International Builders Show
• LivABLE Environment Conference - Canada
• National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
• National Decorative Representatives Network - NDRN
• National Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)
• Occupational Therapy Associations of Colorado, and California
• Rebuilding Together
• Blue Spruce Kiwanis
• Society of Certified Senior Advisors 
• Voices From The Industry - Kitchen & Bath Industry Show

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Awards

partial list

• Top 50 Innovators in the Kitchen/Bath Industry ($176b in 2024) in 2019 (Kitchen & Bath Design News Magazine)
• Nominee 2011 National Educator of the Year (NAHB Denver)
• Nominee National Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2008 (NAHB Denver)
• Outstanding Council Chair 2005 (National Remodelers Council of the National Home Builders Association)
• National Remodeler of the Month (Qualified Remodeler Magazine)
• Remodeler of the Year 2005 - Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence (NAHB Denver)
• Best Basement Finish 2004 Modern Castle - Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence (NAHB Denver)
• Remodeler of the Year 2003 - Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence (NAHB Denver)
• Best Detached Structure Now That’s a Garage  2001 Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence (NAHB Denver)
• Best Exterior Renovation Mountain Splendor 1999 Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence (NAHB Denver)

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a few fun "lessons-of-life" from Erik...

< Elementary School > 

I recently found some family photos of me wearing a bow tie, which became part of my public "look" six 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 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.

 < High School >

...or what I remember of the 1960's 

I produced, along with the help of my best friend Gary Fisher, a 5-minute senior class fully-edited movie using an 8 MM camera and a tape-recorded soundtrack, including a cut from Frank Zappa. At that time there were no film or related classes in schools. Somehow I convinced the Student Council to pay for the film and editing tape. I remember when it was completed we were given permission, by the Principal, to interrupt senior classes and debut the film.   

< College Years >

I was accepted to Kent State. At the last minute, I switched to the close-to-home University of Maryland. I am relieved that I missed the infamous Kent State riot. 

I volunteered with a group of other students for a new food co-op. We bought food in bulk, repackaged it, and sold it at cost. 

My second year was interrupted by my participation in the anti-war protests both on campus and in Washington, DC. I remember days of riots on campus. My friends and I formed the AC/DC group. Not the band, but the Acid Comandos for Direct Confrontation. 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. 

I left school after my second year and never regretted my actions and decisions.

< My Early 20's >

I took a job at a local People's 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 light bulbs? I took a helper position with a commercial electrical contractor building a new school. My first day was handing materials up to workers. After a few hours, I calculated in my mind how many workers, and their pay, it took to build a school...the cost of building a school...how much land was disturbed and how many rabbits lost their homes because of the school...how many teachers would work ther...how many students will go to school over the lifetime of the school. 

Three months into my four-year work/school formal apprenticeship program, I was assigned a foreman position, apparently because of my friendly, organized approach to successful team building.

I built my own house. 

Except for the excavation, concrete, and plumbing, and asking lots of questions, I built a two-story, colonial-style home on a full walk-out basement, by myself. What an education!

< My 30's >

After developing and managing a couple of retail stores I moved back to the DC area and into large-scale commercial project management for government projects. My work included public housing renovations of up to $20m each, in today's dollars. I shared with both the DC and federal government agency officials some suggestions for improving efficiency, lowering overall costs, and expediting the completion of projects. Apparently, because of my need and ability to speak out positively when systems can be improved, I was offered, but declined, a Presidential Appointment to fix-the-public-housing-system.

< the past few decades >

Created an award-winning home remodeling company.

Served as a volunteer and 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 conferences, 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 at Christmas time.

In my 50s I became a part-time professional musician.

Spoken to over 1,500 in-person audiences since 1990.

I beat prostate cancer.

My best accomplishment ever...

My daughter Jasmine and two wonderful granddaughters, Lavender and Marigold!

< Please help me write the next chapters>