Eric is currently serving in the United States Army as an Active Guard and Reserve Soldier with the Army National Guard located in Arlington, Virginia. Eric learned woodworking at a very young age from his father. Herwig “Jack” Jaeger emigrated from Germany to the United States at the age of 18 where he had been an apprentice in the woodworking trade. After settling with the family in Arkansas, he
opened Jaeger’s Fine Woodworking, handcrafting custom cabinets and furniture. Eric started sweeping, sanding, straightening nails and maintaining the tools. Eventually he was entrusted to build drawers and learning his father’s craft. His father was a quintessential perfectionist and Eric inherited that trait! After he graduated high school and joined the Army, he never stopped creating unique woodwork items. He has carried on the family business name by creating beautiful military sword display cases, flag cases and unique hat stands for his fellow Drill Sergeants. When the Army moved him to Camp Dodge, Iowa. He met Inee and Diane at the Iowa State Fair and the new obsession was born. Eric was so enamored by the quality of their cutting boards and the workmanship that went into their products, he couldn’t wait to get home to tell Mary that he knew what the future business was going to be! Over the next two years, the bond (and obsession) grew. As Inee and Diane decided to re-retire they were comfortable enough with Eric and Mary, that they sold the business to them. Eric promised to carry on their legacy of high quality, unique cutting boards and take good care of their existing customers. The Army added a twist to the plan and moved Eric and the family to Virginia before they could set up shop in Iowa. They found the perfect spot in Manassas to set up the business and start serving their customers with their Christmas orders. Mary is retired from the Army since December 2012 after serving 23 years in the regular Army, Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. She is a veteran of the Gulf War and was mobilized as a reservist to Washington D.C. in support of the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. After Mary retired she took on the more difficult task of being an Army Wife! Eric and his two girls asked her to be a part of their lives and she accepted. As Eric continued on active duty, Mary worked as a contractor with Survivor Outreach Services, serving Families of the Fallen and Military One Source serving military members and their families from all branches of service. She also pursued her Masters Degree in Human Resource Training and Development. Mary’s dream has always been to own her own business and travel. Since her military service allowed her to retire at such a young age, it seemed to be the right time. Eric told her about Inee’s Boards by proclaiming. “I know what we’re going to do! You’ve got to see this!” Since then it has been a vision in progress! For Mary, this venture was truly a leap of faith! Being creative and having business savvy was one thing, but having the skill and background in woodworking was another! Mary trained with Inee and Diane for two weeks in their shop to learn the techniques they used to master their craft. We truly wanted to ensure we could still serve the existing customers with the products they have come to love! With these two great trainers, the skills were quickly learned, absorbed and knowledge was passed on to Mary and Eric. Mary’s parent’s always told her she could do anything she set her mind to… with hard work, perseverance and a lot of love along the way… it is true! Do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life! Eric and Mary have two beautiful girls, Justice who is currently serving in the United States Air Force at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Ocean who is in her freshman year of High School at Osbourn Park High School, Manassas. They also have a dog named Battle Buddy three cats, Alice, Smoke and Butters!!
