Rev. Ron Erickson is Named

New Central Chamber Head

 

New Central Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ron Erickson is carrying two business cards these days.   In addition to being the new head man at the Central Chamber, he is still Senior Pastor at Future Hope Ministries on Greenwell Springs Road.  

 

New President and CEO Ron Erickson successfully oversaw his first Chamber of Commerce meeting on Thursday, October 12, 2009. The Chamber also welcomed Dr. James Owens, the Director of Career and Technical Education from the State Department of Education.

“We are calling my post with the Central Chamber an interim assignment, because we need to see if its a fit before making it permanent,” he said.   “So far everyone and everything has been wonderful and it really is an exciting challenge.”

 

Originally from Auburn, Washington, Erickson lived in Maine and Minnesota before moving south to escape the cold.   But first he graduated from Evangel University in Springfield, N.J.   He and his wife Carolyn attended college together and both earned degrees in education.

 

“When we first got here back in 1980 I was with Hosana on Goodwood Boulevard,” he said.   “Then we were with Villa Del Rey (which is now Maranatha) before heading to New Orleans to work with Word of Faith Ministries.”

 

The Ericksons returned to Victory Academy and Victory Harvest Church on Flannery Road where he served from 1992 until 2006.   That’s when he and his wife started Future Hope Ministries.   The Ericksons two children are Ronald, Jr.,26, and Angela, 23.  

 

“Of course we fell in love with Louisiana very quickly, but it was more than a little strange that first year,” he said.   “It was a definite culture shock when they explained that crawfish are not bait and they wanted us to suck the heads.   I remember praying: Lord just get us through this first year and we will leave and never come back.”

 

That soon changed for the Ericksons as they learned to appreciate the French culture and the cultural diversity of the area.  

 

Erickson said Central people are the epitome of everyone they have met in the Pelican State.   “I think the people of South Louisiana are the most loving people in the world,” he said. “We complain about the heat around here, but it is nothing compared to the cold where we come from.   That cold can kill you.”  

 

Erickson said it is too early to announce sweeping changes or new chamber initiatives. “We are just kicking off a new season and we have been very busy,” he said. “We are moving forward rapidly, though.   I can tell you that.”

 

Erickson’s assistant at the chamber is Rhonda Taylor.   Either can be reached by calling 261-5818.