Developer Profile- Eric Renninger
Eric Renninger, 40, has more than 15 years of experience in government, commercial and environmental management. After spending four years in the Middle East on an international federal government assignment, as the director of operations for a large-scale government contractor based in Detroit, Renninger returned to the US in 2013 to implement a business plan he had been developing for two years.
Renninger grew up in rural Pennsylvania and joined the U.S. Air Force immediately out of high school, serving internationally and domestically from 1992-1996 before graduating from Penn State with a BS in 2000. He then relocated to Raleigh to work in the environmental engineering industry, working his way up the ranks until he was presented with the life-changing opportunity to relocate to the Middle East.
During his time abroad, Renninger had bounced business ideas back and forth with a good friend, who was also the director of entrepreneurship at a local community college. When Renninger eventually returned to the US in July 2013, his friend had met someone who worked with Honest-1, and noticed how similar Renninger’s business proposal mimicked Honest-1’s.
“The model they had developed was so close to what I had been thinking about for two years; there was no reason to reinvent the wheel,” Renninger said. Within a few months, Renninger attended Discovery Day, hired a lawyer for legal advice, vetted Honest-1’s performance and signed with the brand in December 2013.
Why did you choose to sign on as a regional developer?
As a former director of operations, I am used to working with thousands of people, and I enjoy teaching and helping people become better managers and operate to their maximum potential. I succeeded previously in this type of role, so I thought it would be a good fit.
What type of people are you hoping to recruit?
Ideally, we’re looking for owners who are looking for an executive position and didn’t necessarily grow up with tools in their hands. I’m looking for a business man or woman who wants the opportunity to be their own boss and understands operations and people management. Ideally, I’d like to have five individuals who want to develop five stores in each of the various markets. That way, we’re not re-teaching from the ground up and we can more easily move from one store to multiple stores. This strategy also allows us to devote our focus on the operational success of the store.
I also hope to tap into the military connections that I have made. The region is home to Fort Bragg, which is one of the largest military bases in the world. We want to become involved in the transition assistance program, and recruit some high level military officers who want to stay in the area in a new career.
Are you involved in charities or community outreach programs?
I’m involved with Wounded Warriors project through my affiliation with the local Trout Unlimited group.
What publications would you like us to focus on?
The Penn Stater, Alumni Magazine and trade magazines.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I’ve always had an interest in automobiles since a young age. I have a small collection of vintage cars that I like to drive in my spare time.
According to a recent report from the Department of Labor, there is a shortage of auto technicians because most of the current crop of baby boomers are retiring. The challenge is getting the younger generation and Millennials interested because auto care has a “grease monkey” stigma.
