MADISON – Joining the military in 1996, Eric W. Potter served seven years with Alabama National Guard and four years as an officer in the part-time National Guard.

“I left the service at a 1LT, spending most of my time in Air Defense Branch as Patriot Missile Operator,” he said.

After completing Basic Training at Fort Jackson, S.C., Potter served his major deployment to Saudi Arabia in 2001. He served most time at Fort Bliss, Texas and Redstone Arsenal with Army National Guard.

Potter was selected as Alabama Soldier of the Year in 2000 and was awarded the Leadership Award at Officer Candidate School.

“I grew up in Hazel Green and moved to Madison after I went to work in the civilian world. I came initially because of proximity to the office but have fallen in love with the community,” he said.

Potter believes his children are receiving “a top-notch education. Madison has a small-town feel with plenty of things to do. I’ve made many friends through kids’ sports and other activities around town.”

He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and master’s degrees in business administration from Auburn University and in systems architecture and engineering from the University of Southern California.

Currently, he works as a senior engineer at a major aerospace company.

His wife, Annette, is a nurse practitioner with HEALS or Health Establishments at Local Schools, which provides healthcare to local children in need. The Potters’ children are students at Mill Creek Elementary School: Brett, 11-year-old fifth-grader, and Hannah, nine-year-old third-grader.

“My son was born with Dwarfism, so I’m very involved in the Dwarf Athletic Association of America and Little People of America,” Eric Potter said. “I’m very excited to go to Canada in August with my son so he can represent Team USA in the Dwarf World Games.”

A baseball fan, Potter plays in an adult league and has coached his son’s team. “I enjoy watching both of my kids play baseball/softball. I’m a huge Kansas City Royals fan and have been to many games with my son, including the 2015 World Series. I’ve also finished two Ironman Triathlons,” he said.