By Sarah White
The events of 9/11 changed Erik Antons’ career trajectory forever. After running an adventure travel company and his own real estate business in Chicagoland, at the age of 32, he decided to embark on a new journey.
He joined the Army National Guard and then the US Department of State as a special agent. While working for the government, he received hands-on training in managing physical security risks, safeguarding people, property, information, and processes.
Desiring more opportunities for growth and a better work-life balance, Antons transitioned back to the private sector, landing in San Diego. With all of this experience and several certifications under his belt, Antons decided to act on a long-held desire to earn an advanced degree.
He was initially nervous about being one of the older people in his classes in SDSU’s Homeland Security program, but quickly learned his long, winding path was an asset.
While enrolled, Antons not only gained additional skills and strategies in new areas such as emergency management, but also a sense of fulfillment from mentoring his peers.
He continues to keep in touch with program faculty, attend orientation sessions, and serve as an adjunct faculty member so he can impart nuggets of wisdom like “be willing to take on more” and “continuously seek to improve.”
Upon earning his master’s degree from SDSU, he took his expertise back to the travel industry with Hyatt Hotels and then became the chief security officer of Whirlpool Corporation in October 2020.
Now, he manages physical security risks across 170 countries where he leads law enforcement and intelligence liaison, technical security systems, crisis management, and workplace violence prevention, in addition to other responsibilities. He has seen the field transition toward devoting more resources into risk prevention and preparation and anticipates even more integration of technology into all facets of security.
Antons’ biggest takeaway from all of his twists and turns: “Don’t feel nervous to make the jump to be more fulfilled elsewhere.”