Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps has been beneficial to Ryan Erickson in many ways—not only did the experience teach him to be adaptable to changing conditions as owner and CEO of Erickson Builders of Rogers, but his status as a vet also opened doors to government work for his family-owned business. Erickson’s acumen at landing road construction jobs with the Minnesota Department of Transportation has led to significant growth and recognition of his firm as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Minnesota Veteran Small Business of the Year for 2015.