Few businesses in Journal Country can trace their inspiration back to a 1980s film about a long-haul trucker determined to reconnect with his estranged son while chasing a championship in arm wrestling. The movie, Over the Top, starred Sylvester Stallone as Lincoln Hawk, who, by the end, drives into the sunset with his son to launch their trucking company, “Hawk and Son Hauling.” That fictional business sparked the idea for Clay Erickson of Britton, a huge 80’s movie fan, to name his new electrician venture “Erickson & Son.” Now, just a few months in, Erickson’s outlook is already looking ‘bright’—both literally and figuratively.
You could say that electricity runs in Clay Erickson’s blood. His father, Boyd Erickson, was a master electrician who worked for Meyer Plumbing and Heating back in the day. From a young age, Clay learned to respect the power of electricity—and discovered a knack for fixing things. When Boyd began working at Horton, Clay often joined him as his right-hand man, gaining hands-on experience and a deeper appreciation for the trade.
That early ‘spark’ never faded. After graduating from Britton High School in 2002, Erickson explored a few career paths, including a stint with the railroad. However, his passion for electricity eventually took him to the Fargo-Moorhead area to attend Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Moorhead, where he earned a degree in electrical technology.
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