Societal Impact Through Excellence and Ethical Leadership
This year the Huntsman School’s highest award for excellence and ethical leadership, the Distinguished Executive Alumnus Award, was presented to Mark Erickson, ‘95. Erickson was raised in a simple home with hard-working parents who pushed for educational success. Erickson was always a good student and originally planned to attend Utah State University to pursue an education to become a doctor; however, after taking a few science courses that weren’t particularly interesting to him, he switched to business, which “just clicked.” Erickson recalls how much he enjoyed learning from past adjunct professors who were passionate in their fields of accountancy and made classwork interesting by providing real-world perspectives. Armed with a Master of Accounting degree, Erickson embarked on his professional journey at Tanner & Company, a Salt Lake City-based public accounting firm.
This experience not only honed his skills but also laid the foundation for his future success. After four years,he seized an opportunity at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Washington, D.C. His learning and development at the SEC would prove invaluable upon his return to Tanner, where he played a pivotal role in driving the firm’s growth.
Erickson’s rise in the business world was nothing short of remarkable. At 32, he became the youngest partner in Tanner’s history and is now the CEO of the firm. Erickson has been instrumental in the firm’s growth from a team of 25 to a robust workforce of over 260 today. His leadership and strategic vision have been key factors in the firm’s success.
During his time at USU, Erickson’s passion for education was evident. He chose to take numerous history classes for his electives, finding them beneficial in teaching him how to learn in a different way than accounting – reading non-numerical material that was not business-related, such as essays, books, and articles; gathering relevant information, and being able to focus in on the critical material for analysis. This skill, which he still utilizes today, was honed during his time as a student. Erickson served as an adjunct professor at USU, where he imparted his wisdom to his students, emphasizing that education is not just about grades, but about the process of learning itself. He has also been a long-time member and is the former chair of the Huntsman School National Advisory Board.
When asked about the importance of ethical leadership, Erickson finds it as important as ever, if not more so today. “Our business world is so dynamic and fast-changing; we desperately need leaders with a strong moral compass. People who have the character to do the right thing, even if it will cause pain or difficulty. I see so many decisions that seem to be made for the immediate need without consideration of the long-term consequences.” A few fundamental principles that Erickson continually practices are: 1. Always be grateful. Every job, every interaction with another person, advice received, and opportunities given all help us learn and develop. into the person we are today. 2. Practice kindness in everything you do. In business, Erickson believes that treating others kindly and with respect generates stronger relationships and mutual trust. He is a strong advocate of providing timely and honest feedback and believes that if we genuinely care about someone, we’ll give them the feedback to help them improve. 3. Work hard. Early in his career, Erickson set out to be a “go-to guy” – someone that others knew they could count on. Organizations seek candidates who are driven and self-motivated.
Erickson and his wife, Jennifer Needham Erickson (B.A., English,’ 94), have always loved USU and how the college experience helps students learn how to interact and communicate with all types of people. When they were first married over 30 years ago, they both agreed that providingscholarships to those in need was one of the things they would
like to do to give back one day. They both saw what education could do and can see it even better now: ‘Education is the answer to many of life’s challenges and difficulties. It can literally lift generations out of poverty.’ Mark and Jennifer’s commitment to education and beliefs in its transformative power are deeply rooted in their personal experiences and values.
Mark and Jennifer were named USU Young Alumni of the Year in 2011. They have six children, four of whom have attended Utah State (three graduated from USU, and one is currently attending). They established the Mark and Jennifer Erickson Endowment for the School of Accountancy, a significant contribution that provides scholarships each year for students who are not recipients of other scholarships. This endowment is a testament to their belief in the power of education and their commitment to supporting the next generation.
In recognizing him as the Distinguished Executive Alumnus of the year, Douglas D. Anderson, dean of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business commented, “Our entire Aggie community and indeed, the state of Utah and the nation, are better because of the impact of Mark Erickson. He continues to contribute to the growth of the Huntsman School by giving generously of his resources, time, and expertise and by his exemplary personal life. He is a model of what we mean when we say we seek to develop leaders of distinction in commerce and public affairs.”