Entrepreneur. Engineer. Founder of onX. Outdoorsman dedicated to inspiring and helping others find a suitable and enjoyable outdoor experience.
About Eric
Raised in rural Montana, Eric developed a passion for outdoor recreation and helping others enjoy the great outdoors at an early age. That passion drove him and his entrepreneurial spirit throughout his life, including when he founded onXmaps in 2009, and it continues to be a driving force in his efforts to preserve and create outdoor recreation opportunities.
Eric graduated from Montana State in 2006 after earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He began his professional career as a mechanical engineer and recreation data entrepreneur, while his passion drove him to the goal of improving mapping and GPS functionality to help others access and enjoy outdoor recreation.
In 2009, Eric founded onX and revolutionized how outdoor enthusiasts identify, access and explore outdoor recreation opportunities. He served as the CEO of the company until 2018 and is now a member of its board of directors.
During his time as CEO, Eric helped onX grow to become the leading GPS mapping app for outdoor enthusiasts ranging from hunters and anglers to off-road adventurers and backcountry hikers. He was also instrumental in spearheading the brand’s Access Initiatives, which have funded several land access projects and completed extensive map-based analysis of landlocked land in the U.S.
Eric is vested in preserving and creating hunting and outdoor recreation opportunities for all different levels of experience, and he is a strong supporter of maintaining freely available private and public land opportunities for all through advocacy and on-the-ground work. He recently worked in partnership with onX, RMEF and other like-minded companies to improve access to 13,000 acres of public land on Elk Mountain in Idaho.
In addition to his professional endeavors and support for outdoor recreation access, Eric oversees his family’s cattle ranch, where he enjoys wildlife management and discovering dinosaur fossils. You can also find Eric spending time with his family, hunting, trail running, playing soccer, snowboarding, surfing or volunteering for organizations that improve outdoor experiences.