CLA Distinguished Alumni 2006

Mr. Jeffrey B. Erickson

 As a Senior Technical Fellow for human factors in the legendary Boeing Phantom Works since 2002, he is the first behavioral scientist to be recognized at the senior level of the Boeing Technical Excellence Program.  He is currently responsible for technical leadership of advanced human-machine interface technology initiatives and their application to the full range of Boeing products.  Since 1996 he has also served as a technical advisor to senior leaders of the United States Air Force.  His contributions in this capacity have been formally recognized by the Secretary of the Air Force with the USAF medal for “Exceptional Civilian Service.”  Mr. Erickson’s achievements in human factors engineering have also been recognized internationally with his election as a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 2002.  Mr. Erickson, who has been a licensed private pilot since 1983, enjoys playing the acoustic guitar and building model aircraft.  He believes CSULB provided him with a unique opportunity to pursue his education while working full time, by offering a wide range of evening instruction.  “The quality and relevance of my instruction at CSULB were first rate,” he said.  “The skills and work habits I acquired at CSULB ultimately enabled me to combine my lifelong love of aviation with my academic interest in human behavior and pursue a career with challenges and rewards far beyond my expectations.”

Dr. Michael P. Ukleja

 Mick Ukleja is the founder and president of Leadershiptraq, a leadership-consulting firm based in California. He hosts Leadershiptraq Televised, an interview-format talk show in Southern California that profiles outstanding leaders. He helped found the Ukleja Center For Ethical Leadership at California State University, Long Beach, the second largest university in the state. His recent book, Who Are You And What Do You Want? A Journey for the Best of Your Life, has been praised by legendary coach John Wooden, Grand Slam golf champion Gary Player, and many prominent leaders and CEOs, as “The one book to read that will immediately impact your life. “ The forward was written by Ken Blanchard, author of The One Minute Manager, who had this to say; “This book is powerful…if you can answer the questions in a thoughtful way, you’ll come out a better person, because you will know who you are, what you are doing, and what’s going to guide your journey.”

 He has worked with entrepreneurs and corporate executives of businesses and organizations ranging from Boeing to the Special Olympics. Mick also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Astronauts Memorial Foundation at the Kennedy Space Center, which oversees the Center for Space Education. He is a principal in Bonita Bay Group, one of the largest developers of master-planned communities in Southwest Florida.. Dr. Ukleja holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a master’s degree in Semitic languages, and a Ph.D. in theology.