Professional Experience
Current
Budget and Policy Analyst for the University of Illinois System
Past Experience
Work in state budget development, legislative issues, and higher education policy at the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget
Education
Illinois College
Bachelor of Science Major: Finance, Political Science
Biography
Eric grew up in McHenry, IL. As a high school senior, Eric attended his first Jaycee meeting while accepting a scholarship from the McHenry Area Jaycees. Eric attended Illinois College in Jacksonville where was a student leader and served three years as Student Government President while receiving his bachelor’s degree in finance and political science. Eric later earned his master’s degree in public administration from University of Illinois Springfield.
In 2015, Eric joined the Springfield Jaycees looking for a way to get more involved in the community. Eric quickly got involved in the chapter and in 2016 became the Chapter Treasurer. In 2016, Eric was elected as Management Vice President and in this role chaired the chapter’s largest project, the Capital City Celebration. By building community partnerships, Eric brought the festival from losing several thousand dollars the previous year to breaking even. A job change relocated Eric to Champaign, IL where he was able to help start the Champaign Urbana Jaycees. Under Eric’s leadership the chapter worked to create balanced programming and as a result doubled in size during the first year. Eric has served the Illinois Jaycees in various leadership positions and in 2022 served as its 91st State President. In 2023, Eric served as JCI USA National Vice President. In this role, Eric led an effort to bring a JCI chapter back to New Hampshire which resulted in the chartering of the Greater Manchester Jaycees. As NVP, Eric was awarded the Don Cavalli Memorial Award for Most Outstanding NVP. In 2024, Eric was appointed Membership Development Co-Director. His area of focus in the role includes providing support for chapters with under 20 members.
Eric lives in Savoy, IL and is an active member of the Champaign Urbana Jaycees. Eric works at the University of Illinois System as a Budget and Policy Analyst. Eric was a 2022 recipient of the Central Illinois Business Forty Under 40 Award. In his spare time, Eric enjoys traveling, checking out unique coffee shops, and walking his dog Stormie.