Erik Tobiason grew up in Pennington, New Jersey. He moved to Vermont with his family when he was 14 in 1967. He attended Woodstock Union High School and graduated in 1971.

Erik began working in the construction field in 1969 for his father who was a builder. His family has a long history in the construction-home building industry.

He and his wife, Laurel have been married for 35 years, having raised 4 foster daughters. They have resided in Barnard since 1980 where Erik has served on the Barnard Vermont Design Review Board where he has acted as Chairman for the past 15 years.

Both Erik and Laurel are very active with the Green Mountain Club – having constructed 6 shelters and helped maintain the trail system on the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail thourhgout Vermont. A new shelter is planned for 2010.

They are also involved and help run Project Peru – a non-profit organization working in the Amazon in Peru.