Erik received a BA degree in Cultural Anthropology from Georgia Southern and a BLA degree in Landscape Architecture from the School of Environmental Design at the University of Georgia where he focused on the interdependence of societal and ecological restoration. Erik has lived, studied, and worked around the world as a student and as an Infantry Officer in the US Army. It was in the Army where Erik was introduced to site planning and design when he had the unique opportunity of working with a team of Landscape Architects to redesign his Army Post.

Erik understands the interconnectedness of people, place, and design, qualities which recently earned him the opportunity to work on the Athens Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) which restores a sense of place to those lacking a home. Erik's commitment to mitigate negative disturbances on the environment has also contributed to the essential role he has undertaken as Project Manager for Art Bio, a new scientific research campus located in Athens, GA. This position has given Erik an opportunity to apply progressive and innovative design strategies to address stormwater runoff and site context.