Leadership
Eric Alexander de Groot
Eric de Groot is the Founder and Managing General Partner of Mini America, based in Atlanta, Georgia where America comes alive in miniature and visitors will be inspired to become entrepreneurs to improve their own lives and stimulate the American economy. De Groot, a global educator and entrepreneur brings with him more than 30 years of international business, marketing (ideas, concepts & IP) and product development experience.
In 2009 he was honored by the Georgia Legislature through House Resolution 211 (HR 211), commending him for his contributions on behalf of industry, trade, and tourism, and recognizing him as an international liaison to the State of Georgia. And in 2011, HR 743 recognized and supported Mini America Park as an educational and environmental green initiative in Georgia.
For almost three decades De Groot has been active in the community serving on many Boards and Committees, including for the City of Atlanta, (Vice Chair of the Advisory Committee On International Relations, ACIR for 8 years) the City of Sandy Springs (EDAC) and in 2012 as President of the Riverwood International Charter School Foundation.
Early on in his career, Eric served in the Dutch military (Conscription) worked for the AmRo Bank in Amsterdam. In Atlanta he was the managing director for a Dutch subsidiary, a daughter of multinational Elsevier BV. De Groot's clients include, Neiman Marcus, Saks V Ave, Bloomingdales, Victoria’s Secret, Macy’s, and hundreds of retailers, The Coca-Cola company, and presentations have been made coast to coast including to The Edison Electric Institute (DC) and the Department of Justice (FBI in Atlanta). Eric has consulted with Dutch and American Fortune 500 companies in the international arena, growing their presence and expanding market share.
Lane Myrick
From a young age, I’ve always been fascinated by miniature models. As a child, I was obsessed with LEGO building sets and, eventually, the LEGO bricks were replaced by a hobby knife and some super glue. It was then that I developed my love of sharing these creations with others. This appreciation of showmanship and hospitality led me to participating in the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World. What was supposed to be a temporary internship led to other opportunities, however, and within a year I became a Guest Relations Host and, later, Tour Guide at the Magic Kingdom. Recently, I’ve completed my bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Administration and have focused my efforts full-time on the Mini America Initiative. It is my dream to share with the world the extensive past, exciting present, and bright future of America in new and innovative ways.
Team Members
Ken R. Fuller on the left together with Lance M. Carlson
Ken R. Fuller
Ken is native to Atlanta with an Industrial Design degree from Georgia Tech. As a Disney Imagineer he led the creation of retail shops in Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Tokyo while managing the design of Epcot’s retail venues. Among Ken’s design creations are the Isleworth Club interiors for Arnold Palmer, development of the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center and the Disney Stores worldwide.
Focuses unique experience with the Walt Disney Company, Starbucks, Limited Brands, Home Depot, Marriott, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, to provide design and construction management.
Specialties:
• Concept design for retail and hospitality
• Project Design Management
• Watercolor painting and illustration
• Sailboat and yacht painting capturing the light and color of the sea.
Lance M. Carlson on the left together with Ken R. Fuller displaying the Architectural Rendering for Mini America (by Lance) and watercolor design of the Mini America Indoor Experience (by Ken)
Lance M. Carlson A.I.A.
Lance Carlson is a practicing architect in Atlanta, Georgia. He has studied painting, drawing and collage among other creative pursuits with a renewed enthusiasm for the past several years.
The freedom and control that avails itself in art, can be elusive in architecture. As he continues to develop skills in 2-dimensional works, he expects to transfer some of the same ideals into architecture.
Lance is responsible and has created architectural designs and concepts for Mini America Park.
Tres Crow
Tres Crow
Tres has been involved in Mini America for the past six years and specializes in strategic and marketing partnerships. He has served as chief Marketing Officer for a number of Start-Ups and is passionate about The American Dream, Environmental Issues and Miniatures.