Erik Pedersen

Erik Pedersen is the Associate Director for the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship and assisted with the establishment of the center in May 2005.

The Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship was created as part of the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 to further establish entrepreneurship and small business as a priority for economic and community development. Erik’s initial task was the development and growth of NetWork Kansas, a free statewide service that enables entrepreneurs and small business owners to be connected with the resources they need when they need them. Erik’s responsibilities have grown to also oversee the StartUp Kansas fund program as well as the Entrepreneurship Community (E-Community) partnership. This partnership, which has grown to 12 E-Communities, includes an injection of capital raised locally through the NetWork Kansas Entrepreneurship Tax Credit Program to help start and grow businesses in rural Kansas communities.

A lifelong resident of Wichita, Erik graduated from Friends University in 1988 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Erik began his career in 1990 when he went to work for a Wichita-based technology startup company, Brite Voice Systems, owned by Stan Brannan. At Brite Voice, Erik worked in marketing and business development. In 1997, Erik left Brite Voice to start a manufactured housing dealership with Steve Radley, Director of the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship. The business was later sold to the largest manufacturer in the country, Champion Enterprises, and Erik remained with Champion as General Manager until May 2005. Erik’s work experience centers on the overall operation and management of fast growing businesses and organizations.

Erik has been married to his wife Kristi for 17 years. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and coaching or watching his daughter Brooke (12) and son Dane (10) in their various sporting endeavors.