Class: 2023
Age: 38
Company: Caterpillar
Website: www.Cat.com
Eric is technology project team leader and manages the grade control valication team at Caterpillar’s Peoria proving grounds. The team is responsible for the validation and verification of system design, system performance, and configuration of grade control on the wide range of equipment types.
He started as an entry-level engineering and has progressed to managing a team of highly trained and productive validation engineers, according to John J. MacNeil, global engineering manager. “Eric leads by example and has the experience and skills to understand what his employees and customers need,” he says.
Education: Associate’s degree, Illinois Central College
Professional accomplishments: Progessing to a leadership position at Caterpillar over my 17-year career through technical contributions in both research and validation.
Off the clock: Partner on our family’s grain farm. Enjoys time hunting deer and waterfowl.
Favorite vacation: Fishing and water activities in Northern Wisconsin.
Extracurricular: Active alumni sponsor in our local FFA (Future Farmers of America). Eric owns a Cat CTL and performs small residential construction jobs for friends and neighbors.
Fun fact: Eric enjoys developing the 76 acres his family resides on. This has included creating a 4-acre pond on the property, planting new trees, and creating unique terrain around the area that serves the local habitat.
