In January 2009, Mr. Steven Erickson formed New Vector Business Associates after working several years for a large consulting firm. While working for this firm he became increasingly concerned over their upfront selling techniques and the high project development costs associated with their services.
He believed he could provide greater benefits at less cost with ethical, value based services that were truly focused on the client. This is the essence of New Vector, to positively impact the performance of our clients’ companies, both short term and longer term.
President/CEO
Mr. Erickson has a track record of producing strong results during periods of business growth, change, reorganization and crises. He has engineering and overall operations management experiences in Fortune 500 companies, executive leadership experience in mid-size companies, and entrepreneurial experience in start-up companies. Mr. Erickson has a unique combination of technical, people, strategic and tactical skills with an entrepreneurial flair.
In addition to his 30+ years of operational and business experience, Mr. Erickson has over 9 years experience in helping Domestic and Canadian businesses increase profits and business value by providing owners with sales, marketing, financial, operational, management, and planning expertise that results in improved short-term business performance and long-term business value.
Mr. Erickson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota and a Master of Business from Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Director of Business Support Services
Mr. Shikles has extensive experience in starting and developing businesses as an owner, holding full Profit & Loss responsibility. He has a diverse background in sales, manufacturing, consulting, accounting and strategic planning. His expertise includes in depth review of income statements and balance sheets, asset protection, tax planning and valuations.
His 45 + years of experience includes a Bank Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank, bank examining department, experience within the financial world, including bank auditing, marketing and operational services. He has also worked closely with owners of small, mid-sized and large businesses to strengthen operations and profitability.
Mr. Shikles was president and CEO of two startup companies and structured them for sale in the market. He also initiated a consulting company to help small to medium sized businesses acquire bank loans and private financing. For several years, he worked internationally on behalf of his client’s interests in Nigeria, Africa.
He has been past presidents of the Northern Colorado Bankers Association, the Bank Administration Institute, and the Regional Institute of Internal Auditors.
Mr. Shikles holds a Bachelor of Administration degree in Business Administration, with a major in Accounting from the University of Missouri in Kansas City, Missouri.
Director of Financial Services
Mr. Carlson has over 45 years experience in the financial industry, beginning in banking as a loan officer while in college. From here he became a Special Agent for Northwestern Mutual Life of Milwaukee and then an Agency General Manager for Pacific Mutual, Fresno, CA. As time went on, he became more and more aware of the issues facing business owners and joined Merrill Lynch as its Business and Estate Planning specialist in three offices, Bakersfield, Carmel and Fresno, CA.
Seeing a need to better serve small and mid-sized business owners, he founded his own firm, Income Design, Inc. in 1990. Income Design focuses on business planning strategies and tax qualified plans for small and medium sized companies in Central and Southern California, where he has been instrumental in helping business owners become financially secure.
Mr. Carlson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mankato State University, Mankato, MN, a Chartered Life Underwriter and Masters of Financial Services from The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA, and Accredited Estate Planner credentials from the Estate Planning Councils of America.
He has served on the Board of Directors for the Fresno Chapter of Estate Planning Councils and is currently serving his second term as President for the Fresno Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals. He has also been active in Rotary for 22 years, a board member and Paul Harris recipient.
Director of Management Services
Mr. Reiner has provided leadership and produced profitable results in small and mid-sized, private and publicly-owned companies in disparate industries. Throughout his 35 year executive career, he has led existing companies to record setting levels, directed the restructuring and successful turnaround of troubled companies and turned entrepreneurial dreams into reality. His extensive experience enables him to thoroughly analyze a company’s existing operations and help that company fully realize its potential.
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