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State Senator Edwin B. Erickson
Career
Prior to being elected to the State Senate in 2001, Edwin "Ted"
Erickson served for nine years as Executive Director of Delaware County,
overseeing government operations in one of the largest counties in the
Commonwealth. Senator Erickson had previously been elected to Delaware
County Council, serving as a member from 1982 to 1989 and as chairman
(1987-1989). From 1989 to 1992, Senator Erickson was in charge of
implementing federal environmental programs as Regional Administrator of
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III. He was
responsible for a workforce of approximately 1,000 people overseeing
environmental standards in a region covering Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Rounding out his experience in government, Senator Erickson worked
from 1976 to 1982 as Chief Administrative Officer of Upper Darby
Township, running the day-to-day operation of township government.
Prior to that, he served as Upper Darby’s Director of Public Health,
administering laws governing public health in the township.
Outside of government service, Senator Erickson was an educator.
From 1969 to 1973 he was a tenured Assistant Professor of Biology at
Hamilton College, teaching microbiology, biochemistry and general
biology. Senator Erickson also taught general biology, anatomy and
physiology, cell physiology and zoology at Drexel University and East
Stroudsburg State College (1962-1969).
Senator Erickson has had three articles published in professional
science journals, and is a former member of the prestigious Army Science
Board, serving as an advisor to the U.S. Army on scientific and
technological matters.
Education
Senator Erickson received a B.S. in biology and chemistry from
Albright College and a Ph.D. in biochemistry and microbiology from Bryn
Mawr College. He was recently selected to receive the Distinguished
Alumni Award from Albright College.
Committees/Caucuses/Commissions
Senator Erickson serves as Chairman of the Senate Majority Policy
Committee, which is responsible for gathering the information necessary
to determine the impact of policy decisions on the citizens of
Pennsylvania. Senator Erickson also serves as Vice Chairman of the
Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, and as a member of
the Communications and Technology, Consumer Protection and Professional
Licensure, Law and Justice, Rules and Executive Nominations, and Public
Health and Welfare Committees.
Senator Erickson is also a member of the following caucuses:
Arthritis Caucus, Autism Caucus, Aviation Caucus, Biotechnology/Life
Science Caucus, Bi-Cameral Arts and Culture Caucus, Bi-Partisan
Bi-Chamber Natural Gas Vehicle Caucus, Bi-Partisan Legislative Energy
Caucus, Community College Caucus, Delaware River Basin Caucus, Delaware
River Port Caucus, Economy, Business, and Jobs Caucus, Firefighter and
Emergency Services Caucus, Government Reform Caucus, Legislative
International Commerce Caucus, Local and School Property Tax Relief
Caucus, Pro-Life Caucus, and Women’s Health Caucus.
In addition, Senator Erickson serves on the Local Government
Commission, Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, and Pennsylvania
Higher Education Assistance Agency Board of Directors.
Community Service
Community Action Agency; Delaware Valley Regional Planning
Commission; Delaware County Human Services Partnership; Pennsylvania
Resources Council; March of Dimes; Scouting for Food; Green Space
Alliance; Delaware County Transportation Management Association;
Delaware County Community College Educational Foundation; Delaware
County Economic Development Partnership; Partnership for the Delaware
Estuary.
Personal
Senator Erickson and wife Katherine live in Newtown Square and
have a son, Jonathan. |
