Meet Randy Erickson, field technician at FireGuard, Inc.
Tell us a little about your business. – FireGuard (fireguardusa.com) is a life safety company dedicated to the protection of life and property. FireGuard was started with individuals that had deep roots in the fire industry to enforce that concept.
How did you get started in the business? – I went to college to become a full-time firefighter. My wife found a help wanted ad for a local fire alarm company. I decided to give it a try. Over 30 years later, I still enjoy what I am doing and I still have my weekends off.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Trying to understand the new generation. I don’t think any of them know the words “old school”.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – For over 35 years, I have been serving on various Volunteer Fire Departments. Most of those years as an assistant chief, district chief, and a fire training captain.
Tell us a little about your family. – My wife Tawni and I have been married for 25 years. We moved to the Omaha area back in 1996. We raised our two daughters in LaVista the last 23 years. We recently built a new home in the Gretna area that we will retire in. Both of our daughters are in their senior year of college. Hannah is at Iowa Western Community College majoring in music. She plans to attend Wayne State College to receive her teaching degree in the fall. Lindsey is at Nebraska Wesleyan majoring in accounting, French, and a minor in English writing. She plans to
go back to college to earn a business law degree.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Retiring from the fire service. For once in my life, I am not tied down to a pager or an emergency radio. No more getting up in the middle of the night for a fire call.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – My idea of relaxing is to spend time down at our cabin. Floating on an inner tube or paddling around in the canoe is the best stress reliever.
Who inspires you? – Definitely my dad. He was a self-employed painter and took a lot of pride in his work. I like to think that he is always watching over me and making sure that I am living up to his values that he raised me on.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “You will never discover the best in life, until you discover the best in you.” – David Okerlund
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – A Locomotive engineer. I have always had a love for trains, especially the steam engine era.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – My wife and I are members of the Papillion Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. We no longer answer emergency calls, but still serve the local community needs.
What is your favorite movie? – Ladder 49.
What is your favorite TV show? – The Andy Griffith Show.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Johnny Sortino’s Pizza. It’s just a great hometown pizza parlor.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 592-1999; fireguardusa.com.