For more than 25 years, Eric served his community as a Firefighter and Engineer, dedicating his life to protecting others and improving safety on the front lines. During his time battling countless wildfires — including the devastating 2003 Cedar Fire in San Diego — Eric witnessed firsthand the challenges and dangers firefighters face in critical moments.

 He saw a need for a safer, faster way to disconnect a charged hose line directly from the engine panel, rather than at the hydrant — a simple change that could make a life-saving difference for his fellow firefighters.

Eric spent years designing, testing, and perfecting a solution. The result is the Cedar Valve — a groundbreaking device that gives firefighters greater control, flexibility, and safety in the most demanding situations.

Named in honor of the fire that inspired its creation, the Cedar Valve represents more than innovation — it’s a symbol of resilience, dedication, and the unwavering drive to make every firefighter’s job safer.

Tim Mickelson brings over 20 years of experience in both the sports industry and small business. After officially retiring in 2024, he returned in 2025 driven by his belief in Cedar Valve’s potential to transform fire industry standards. His objective: to put this innovative device on every fire engine in the United States and help protect countless firefighters, communities and structures.