Who is Eric Alexander de Groot?
Eric Alexander de Groot is a global educator and entrepreneur known for his focus on “The American Dream”. His background includes over 30 years of experience in international business and marketing.
Key projects and roles associated with him include:
- Mini America: He is the founder and Managing General Partner of Mini America, an educational theme park concept that inspires visitors through miniature replicas of American landmarks.
- Art Delivers: He serves as the founder of Art Delivers, an organization that uses art sales to fund disaster relief and community assistance.
International Liaison: In 2009, he was recognized by the Georgia Legislature (HR 211) as an international liaison to the state of Georgia for his contributions to trade and tourism. - Entertainment: He has appeared in over 100 movies and TV shows as a background actor or stunt performer, including early work on Star Wars in 1979.
- POTUS In 2016 Eric created an exciting marketing campaign ‘declaring his candidacy’ for the Presidential Election, which was covered by a local TV station and received a lot of press.
- World War II – De Groot’s parents were liberated on September 17, 1944 by American, Canadian and allied forces. This is the foundation for Eric’s love and appreciation of The United States of America.
Anchor Person
Mike Dunston
Credit
– CBS 46 TV WGNX News 2016 (U.S. Presidential Campaign Coverage)
– Copyright ©2016 CBS TV Local Affiliate – WGNX CHANNEL 46 CBS ATLANTA GA
– CBS46.com – CBS 46 Atlanta, Georgia – Reporter Mr. Mike Dunston CBS46.com
Founder
Manager
Amateur Athlete
Community Service
Board member
Leader
Core Expertise
With over 40 years of international business experience, Eric A. de Groot brings strategic insight, leadership, and global perspective to every project. His expertise spans business development, operations management, and cross-cultural communication, helping organizations grow, adapt, and succeed in competitive markets. He combines entrepreneurial vision with practical execution — turning ideas into measurable results while building strong, lasting relationships across industries and continents.
International Business Development
Strategic Planning & Leadership
Multilingual Communication
Project & Operations Management
Start-up & Nonprofit Leadership
Brand Development & Marketing
Public Speaking & Training
Extensive Sports, Travel, Hospitality and Entrepreneur Experience
- Founder – Manager – Amateur Athlete – Community Service – Board member – Leader
- Certified Professional Ski Instructor (Member – PSIA, Professional Ski Instructor Association)
- Skier (3 years old – present) Skied with the Dutch Ski Team in 1979 Val D’Isere, France (22nd in the Slalom)
- Skied in Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy (Europe) as well as The Colorado Rockies, Utah (USA) for 40+ years.
- Coach, Assistant Coach and Referee: Soccer, coach individuals and teams (11 years and up) several licenses + Soccer Official.
- Completed 19 marathons including Athens, Greece, Berlin, Germany, Turin, Italy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, New York, Boston, Orlando, Las Vegas, NV, Nashville, Huntsville, AL, Atlanta, GA etc.
- Keynote speaker at Emory University, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Kennesaw University, and many other organizations, including Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
- At National Seminars Group received the designation of Certified Professional Speaker (CPS)
- Published author and writer; have drafted speeches for board members and C-level executives, have coached many people in sports or with personal development.
- Avid reader of books, articles and other media that allows for lifelong learning
- Visited 28 countries and 35 states. Dual citizenship. (American & Dutch citizen)
- Language skills include, native Dutch, fluent English, German, proficient French, basic Spanish & Italian
- Self-starter, punctual, disciplined, old school, devoted, determined to resolve any issue. (Accountable)
- Healthy lifestyle, stay in shape, run, exercise daily/regularly
- Starred in 50 TV shows (BBC, London-WT and Movies, as a dancer, athlete or extra, including Star Wars – 1979)
- Own trademark and a service mark, as well as 50 URL’s (website names)
- Student Pilot (22 hours)
NONPROFIT & SERVICE (Board Member, Board of Directors)
- Interpreter (Dutch, German) for the President of the USA in Atlanta, GA. (1983)
- President and Officer of the Sandy Springs Toastmasters Club (Speaking Club) (1984-1990)
- Co-Founder of the advanced Roundtable Speakers Club in Atlanta (only two in the USA) (1992-1993)
- President of the Atlanta Association of Interpreters and Translators (250 Members) (1993-1996)
- Class of 1998 – Sandy Springs Leadership (One year program) (1997-1998)
- Trustee of The Heritage Sandy Springs Association (1998-2000)
- Board Member of Keep America Beautiful (In North Fulton/Sandy Springs, GA) (1988-2004)
- Eric Alexander de Groot, Recognized as an International Liaison for the State of Georgia (GA House Resolution HR. 211) (2005)
- Vice Chair, Advisory Committee on International Relations (A.C.I.R.) City of Atlanta, Georgia (2000-2008)
- Invited by the mayor of Sandy Springs, Georgia (Atlanta suburb) to serve on EDAC. (Economic Development Advisory Committee)
- Member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) – served on many boards and committees (1997 – 2007)
- Co-Founded the Global Speaker Federation for NSA, leading to 17 chapters worldwide (2001-2007)
- Member of the Georgia Chapter of the National Speakers Association (Officer) (1995 -2002)
- High Meadows School – Private School – served on Marketing and Finance Committees (2004 – 2009)
- President of the Riverwood ICS Foundation – Public School, 1500 students, Fulton County, GA (2009-2013)
- Mentor for the Veterati Team; Americas Mentoring Network for the Military https://www.veterati.com/
Education
- University of London & DeLeon Liberal Arts College | 1977–1981
- Dutch Military Service (Infantry) | 1981–1982
- Multilingual studies throughout Europe
- Continued post-graduation studies (and mentorship) in the USA
Employer Experiences:
- Amsterdam Rotterdam Bank (AmRo Bank) Management training program included working in the Credit, Finance and Judicial Departments (1975-1977)
- Managing Director, Elsevier (Dutch Multinational) Oversaw multimillion operations for Van Boekhoven Bosch {US Subsidiary} (1983-1986)
- Manager for T.G.W. Educational Group Travel to Europe. (1986-1996)
- Set up Corporation, Location, Lease & created Logo, plus brand guidelines development, and international communications
- Manager for T.G.W. Educational Group Travel to Europe. (1986-1996)
- Vail Resorts, Inc. Broomfield, Colorado, USA – Certified Professional Ski Instructor and Member of P.S.I.A.
Entrepreneur Experiences:
- International Business Development Consultant for Import, Export, Marketing, and Sales (1982-2002)
- Advised and consulted small and midsize European clients on how to enter the US Market featuring exclusive European products
- Importer and Marketing for US Clients, including: The Coca-Cola Co. The Home Depot, Saks V Ave, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman, Victoria’s Secret, Macy’s and serving 500+ small to midsize retailers in the USA.
- Exporter of containers loads of sporting goods, such as German, British and French apparel, French designer candles, Dutch designer toolboxes (sold truckloads to The Home Depot, when it had only four stores in Atlanta, Georgia)
- Exhibited at or attended over 100 Trade Shows in Europe & the USA ranging from Marathon racing (Boston, NYC, Orlando Disney events) to the marketing of French Designer Candles in the specialty section (Accent on Design) in NYC at the Jacob Javits Center or in the IGEDO in Dusseldorf, Germany and Paris, France (Pret-A-Porte) Ready To Wear Fashion Shows
- Stories or ads in U.S. trade magazines; Home and Garden as well as department stores catalogues such as Macy’s or Neiman Marcus
- Founder, and Managing Director of a dozen start-ups and initiatives including (2002-present):
- Founder AdverCyle® an environmental advertising and recycling equipment company. Attractive Environmental Units were used during the 1996 Olympics and sold to 1st client Emory University
- Founder Holland America Chamber and worked closely with the Honorary Consul of The Netherlands (2002-2012)
- Founder of the Mini America Park 2008 – 2017 ) https://www.miniamerica.us/
- Founder of Art Delivers™ http://artdelivers.org/ (2017 – present)
- Co-Founder and contributor of a new online platform about Global Cultures: Culture-Impact (2021- 2024)
- Actively involved in Atlanta GA in the initial stages and or founding of international and entrepreneurial organizations that are blossoming today including the Netherlands American Chamber of Commerce and have mentored many students from over six colleges in the Metro Atlanta region.
- Amsterdam Marathon, Manager and North American Representative for the City of Amsterdam
- Grew business from (only) 8 to hundreds of runners. Clients included Leukemia Society and American Diabetes Association) was on track to bring 1000 American runners to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Total 1000 x $2,500 per passenger = $2.5 million account. Significant growth from only 8 runners.
Skills & Proficiencies
Languages:
Native Dutch, Fluent English & German, Proficient French, Basic Spanish & Italian
Eric’s Journey
More than four decades of entrepreneurship, leadership, and global impact.