In high school, Eric Neiser thought his best subject was history, with art a close second. When he walked into the University of Kentucky’s student recruitment fair, he was captivated by something that seemingly fused the two. Showcasing an artistic display of students’ models, drawings and woodworking designs, the recruiters introduced him to the College of Architecture’s five-year professional degree program. Not a typical technical building program, its design-oriented approach emphasized aesthetically pleasing spaces, innovative use of materials, and free-form creativity. Eric knew he’d found his home.

Growing up near Cincinnati, he’d always been exposed to historic, significant architecture. And he’d always liked putting things together – Lego structures, models and puzzles – and taking them apart again. He immersed himself in classes, competitions and study-abroad programs, soaking up both the theory and practice of architecture.

At the same time, he worked physically demanding summer jobs, first on a landscaping crew, then shift work in an injection molding facility that manufactured jet engine parts. He still puts those landscaping skills to work at home, and he calls the injection molding a good introduction to the inner workings of industrial processes. His design experience includes historic renovation, adaptive reuse, and a range of institutional, office and facility design. His perceptive insights give Carlisle Associates the capability to elevate the design of commercial and industrial projects to enhance the appeal for all users.

Eric met his wife at Columbia's annual St. Pat’s in Five Points festival, where he was celebrating his birthday. Now with two young children, he spends much of his time coaching youth soccer, planning family getaways to a houseboat or beach, and doing home improvement projects. He’s an avid sports fan and is honing his home-brewing skills, testing beer ingredients and experimenting with recipes, a hobby that makes him popular even with non-fans of the UK Wildcats.