EDC Service Specialist Eric Dillard is a third generation Dillard working in the family business helping to keep his grandfather’s legacy alive and thriving 50 years after it all started! Eric loves his work with the family business as he noted, “There’s nothing better than seeing your Grandma at work!”
A day at work in the life of Eric Dillard is anything but typical; it’s a new adventure every day! Eric particularly loves the days going into NYC to visit current customers and drum up new business. While these days are long for Eric given the commute in and out of the city – he’s up at 4:30 am on his NYC days – the energy he feels from the city is worth the long hours. Eric has noted that there’s just something about the people that work in NYC; they are warm and inviting and he finds the camaraderie and support he receives when they find out he is part of a family-run, five-decade strong family business is very welcoming.
Eric started at EDC in 2012 when he was just 19 years old. When he was attending college at DeSales University, Eric worked at EDC during his winter and summer breaks. In his early years of college, he was doing miscellaneous work from data entry to organizing shelves in the shop. In his later years of college, Eric started building and wiring electrical panels in the shop for the systems side of the company where he learned how electrical parts work.
While at college, Eric was a pitcher for the DeSales Bulldogs and from there baseball allowed him to travel to California, Nevada, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and the Dominican Republic to pursue his passion and play baseball in different areas of the country. Eric currently trains younger players at a local baseball facility with a focus on pitching instruction and continues to play in a men’s summer league.
After graduating from DeSales University with a degree in business and communications, Eric was offered a sales position on the service side of the company. Eric started off his new position with extensive training on how VFDs, electricity, and systems work. Then he learned the ropes by going to customer sites with EDC’s technicians, helping with installations of VFDs, troubleshooting on service calls, and doing preventive maintenance.
Eric’s current responsibilities consist of trying to grow relationships with existing customers and build new relationships with potential customers all over the Tri-State area. “I mainly find myself in skyscrapers in NYC focusing on educating customers and potential customers on the value of preventive maintenance and the energy savings opportunity installing variable frequency drives (VFDs) offers,” said Eric. Eric also works with factories, pump houses, corporate buildings, sewage plants, prisons, etc. – basically, anywhere there is an electric motor. Eric works with customers and EDC engineers and technicians to scope out potential work. When a customer moves forward with a project, Eric will help manage the project and work to be done.
Eric is originally from Randolph, NJ and moved to the rural and scenic Township of Green, NJ in 2000 with his parents and sister when he was just in 2nd grade. He lived out in Truckee, California for 2 summers and has done other traveling, but he currently lives back with his parents Chuck and Mary Dillard in Green where he enjoys hanging out with his friends, family and his three dogs, Eli (white German shepherd), Heidi (St. Bernard), and Cali (beagle, pit bull, shepherd, etc. mix).
While not at work, Eric has a lot of activities he enjoys. As much as Eric enjoys the city, he also loves the wilderness and mountains. In fact, one of his favorite things to do is go hiking at the Delaware Water Gap with his dogs. He also loves traveling and just recently got back from a trip to Europe.
Eric is a huge sports fan, the NY Yankees and Giants are his favorite teams, and he has continued his passion for playing baseball by participating in local summer leagues. Eric also loves music and enjoys jamming with his friends and going to all types of concerts and music festivals.
Eric summed up for us what he loves best about working in the family business:
“The best thing about EDC is the people I work with. EDC has a great group of people that are always willing to help each other and work together as a team to get the job done. I love working with my family. I get to see my Grandma, Aunt, Uncles, Dad, Cousins, and family friends almost every day. I know many people don’t get to see their families as much as they would like because of work so I think it is great seeing my family while I’m at work. On top of seeing my family at work, they are also always there for me if I have a question or need some help. It is great knowing that my family is always there for me and it makes coming to work every day worth it!”
