Eric Dreikosen’s involvement with the Boys & Girls Clubs  started with a part-time job as program aide at the Petaluma center. 

“I took what I thought looked like a fun summer job and I’ve been hooked ever since,” said Dreikosen.

In his 15 years with the organization, Dreikosen has worked at three other Boys & Girls Clubs — greater San Diego, Lake Tahoe and Napa.   

Today, he is the director of operations at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley.

Which three people would you most like to have dinner with?

Barack Obama. I’m interested to talk with him about the pressure and stress he must be facing given his perceived appointment as “America’s Savior.” Honestly, who can live up to that? 

Michael Belluomini, a dear friend of mine who died of bacterial meningitis when we were only 25.

George Carlin. He just makes me laugh.

What job would you like to try/not like to try?

Owner/operator of an adventure travel company, taking people to exotic locations around the world.

I would not like to be an Alaskan crab fisherman. I like to think I have a sense of adventure, but that job just looks plain crazy.

How did you get into this business?

When I was a freshman in high school, I volunteered as a counselor at Camp Navarro, a week-long outdoor education camp for a school district in Petaluma. It was a very unique situation in which five elementary schools sent their entire sixth-grade populations into the redwoods where they were primarily guided by high school and college age volunteers. Even at that young age, I realized this experience had an extremely profound effect on me. I wound up working with this program for 15 years. In many ways it was not only responsible for the career I have chosen, it had a huge influence on the person I am today.

What is your favorite charity?

It’s the Pit’s Dog Rescue. They specialize in mainly pit bulls and are a wonderful organization located in San Diego County. We adopted our current dog from them and she is the sweetest, most loving dog I have ever had.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

Right now, any place with no phone, no e-mail and no agenda sounds pretty appealing.

How do you compare working for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley to other club locations? 

A 10-year-old is a 10-year-old is a 10-year-old. They all have the same basic needs and desires regardless of environment. We operate on universal themes — to provide that sense of belonging and usefulness. That doesn’t change.

What was your childhood ambition?

I wanted to be a race car driver.

What’s something people would be surprised to know about Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley?

Our reach. In a given year, we have 2,500 to 3,000 different young people utilizing our services in some capacity. During the school year, we serve upwards of 1,200 Napa youth on any given day. We have 10 locations; seven in Napa, and three in American Canyon. Boys & Girls Clubs in St. Helena and Calistoga operate as separate entities.

What’s going on at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley these days?

We’ve put a lot of time and energy into our middle school program. That program has been very popular. We have a new partnership with the Napa Police Department and we just finished up a two-week Junior Police Academy. This week centers around music and team building.

What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions?”

David Behrend, owner of T-Party-Napa.

More from Eric Dreikosen

What was your first job?

Assistant at a photography company in Marin County.

What’s the worst job you ever had?

I spent two weeks working for a 7-11 in Petaluma. 

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Sustaining a non-profit in the current economic climate has proven especially challenging. 

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Public perception. I really want people to understand that we are much more than day care. We strive to provide opportunities to the youth we serve. 

I can’t live without: My family (our dog included), my friends and snow skiing.

Who do you most admire in the business world?

I have always admired Steve Jobs and the amazing things he has done with Apple.  They may have one of the most loyal customer bases ever. 

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?

From a pure adventure perspective, I have always wanted to take a guided heli-ski trip in Alaska. 

What’s one thing Napa could do to help local business?

Improve the infrastructure. Getting around town is a nightmare.

Each Wednesday, the Napa Valley Register’s Business Focus asks “10 Questions” of a local entrepreneur or businessperson. Readers are welcome to suggest business people to be profiled. To suggest a candidate for “10 Questions” e-mail: jhuffman@napanews.com