Hometown: New Philadelphia, OH

Education: B.S. in Atmospheric Science, The Ohio State University

Career Path:  Prior to joining WFMJ, I spent 11 years at AccuWeather, Inc. in State College, Pennsylvania. In addition to many other duties, I was heard on nearly every radio affiliate AccuWeather serves, including stations in markets such as Akron, Cincinnati, New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Detroit and Los Angeles. I also appeared on the CBS Evening News, MSNBC, the Bloomberg Network and the Fox Business Network.

Interests and Hobbies:   I am an "information sponge" and love learning new things. Once I am invested in a subject, I want to know every detail, all the fine print. I am very good with numbers and dates. Name a popular movie, album or TV show that has come out in the last 40 years and chances are, I can tell you what year it was. Naturally, I know birthdays very well and know the date of just about every important event in my life.

When I am not being a nerd, I love sports and am a die-hard Browns, Cavs and Indians fan. My love of the Buckeyes keeps me from going insane due to rooting for perpetually losing teams.

I love music, especially what is considered "classic rock". U2 is, hands down, my favorite band. I like many newer bands as well, including Muse, The Killers, and Arcade Fire.

Why did you choose Meteorology?  I often say I was "born to be a meteorologist", because I was born in Xenia, Ohio, home of the most famous tornado in Ohio history AND I was born a few weeks after the most famous blizzard in Ohio history in 1978. Truth be told, when the Weather Channel appeared on our cable system in the mid 80s, I was hooked. I obsessed over the colorful USA Today weather page as well. My meteorological hero is Cleveland weather legend Dick Goddard, with whom I share a birthday.

Favorite season: Autumn. I grow tired of the hot and humid weather by August, so the cool, crisp air of fall is always something I look forward to. Not to mention: football season!

Personal: Eric has a sister and three step siblings. Eric and his wife live in Austintown. They have two cats; Lucy, a Maine Coon who loves everybody and everything and Cali, a calico who only loves Eric and food.

You can watch Eric weeknights at six and eleven on 21 News.

 

E-mail Eric at weather@wfmj.com.