About Eric
Eric Wathen was born February 8, 1975 and grew up in Lizton. He attended North Salem Elementary and then Tri-West Hendricks High School where he worked summers as a corn detasseler and hay baler for local farmers. Eric graduated Tri-West Hendricks High School with an academic honors diploma in 1993. After graduating, he went on to attend Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology where he played football, volunteered at the campus radio station and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1997. Upon graduation, Eric briefly worked in Chicago as a field engineer before returning home to the Indianapolis engineering firm DLZ where he worked on road design and general construction projects.
In 1999, Eric married his high-school sweetheart, Ann. Eric and Ann have 4 sons: Zane (8), Drew (6), Tyler (4) and Luke (1). For the past 6 years, Eric has worked for Rinker Materials in technical marketing and sales in the concrete pipe division. His daily tasks require building relationships through public speaking engagements and collaboration with clients such as engineering firms, contractors, and the Indiana Department of Transportation.
In 2000, Eric ran unsuccessfully for the Hendricks County Council. It was a fantastic learning experience for Eric, his family, and supporters. Through this experience, leadership roles he had played at his job, and a passion for local politics, Eric decided to run for Hendricks County Commissioner in 2007. Despite being challenged by 3 additional candidates in the party caucus, Eric was successful in his bid and immediately added a fresh, young perspective to Hendricks County. His knowledge of business and infrastructure made Hendricks County more efficient, saving money for Hendricks County taxpayers. In 2008, Eric was re-elected to serve another term as Hendricks County Commissioner.
As Commissioner, Eric has tirelessly worked to finish the Ronald Reagan Parkways Project, a joint undertaking with surrounding counties and towns to find resources to complete the construction of Ronald Regan Parkway to connect Interstate 70 (I-70) in Plainfield to Interstate 74 (I-74) in Brownsburg and eventually through Boone County to Interstate 65 (I-65).
Born and raised Hendricks County, Eric’s rural working class roots, education and experience both in the private sector and the local county government have given him the experience, skills, and strength to lead in Washington, and proudly represent his fellow Hoosiers from Indiana’s 4th Congressional District.
