Eric Armstrong is a native Iowan, born and raised on the eastern border in Burlington. Educated in the public school system, he excelled in wrestling, swimming, and journalism and went on to attend Southeast Iowa Community College.

Drawn to sales, Eric began his career with Radio Shack, and he quickly rose through the ranks into management. Eric joined Horst, Inc., specializing in rail sales, grew the firm, and eventually acquired it. Recognized as a leader in the locomotive parts industry, General Electric purchased Horst where Eric became their lead liaison with leading North American rail companies.

He subsequently held several senior roles and expanded to international rail services. His work has taken him into business spanning multiple continents with extensive international travel. Eric’s career has focused on marketing, sales, business development, and consulting in the railroad sector with extensive executive-level responsibilities.

Eric now resides on Iowa’s western border in Carter Lake with his wife, Hillary Parker, a mechanical engineer dedicated to environmental renewal construction initiatives. Eric’s immediate family includes his two sons, Roderick and Nathan, their spouses, and their wonderful daughters.

Eric enjoys traveling and exploring foods from around the world. He’s a certified beer judge and an award-winning brewer. An active sports enthusiast, he has competed at high levels in sailing, windsurfing, and ice boat racing. He’s also an avid runner who has completed several state marathons, biked across Iowa in six RAGBRAI events, and joined reef renewal scuba projects overseas. Eric volunteered for years in the Brush-Up Nebraska/Carter Lake/Council Bluffs homeowner maintenance programs, the Carter Lake Preservation group clean-ups, and the race support team for the American Lung Association.