Know Your Neighbors: Lee Ernst, 
Project
 engineer

Lee Ernst, 44, is a project engineer and co-owner of Eagle Automated Systems Inc., a custom machines and automation company in the Small Business Technology Center on LeFevre Road in Sterling.

He lives in Amboy with his wife, Theresa Ernst, 44, and their sons, Elliott Ernst, 16, and Jordan Ernst, 13. Lee is the son of Alan and Joyce Ernst of Sterling, and has one sister, Pam Schroeder, 55, of Rock Falls.

On-the-job lesson: Honesty, and treat people right.

Alma mater: I graduated in 1983 from Dixon High School, and have an associate degree in mechanical design from Sauk Valley Community College.

Philosophy: What you do comes back to you.

Oughta be a law: Outlaw viruses being sent to computers.

Hearts: Riding dirt bikes, "The Office" and "Family Guy."

Darts: Answering robot (automated) telephone calls, and computer viruses.

Haunts: The garage.

First job: I bussed tables at the Zoo Lounge in Dixon when I was 16. I didn't like the people or the work.

First car: A 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle when I was 15.

People say I look like: My dad.

Phobia: Public speaking.

Guilty pleasure: Smoking.

Trading places: I'd like to be Travis Pastrana, the host of MTV's "Nitro Circus." He's a freestyle motocross rider.

Trading spaces: I'd like to visit Germany. I want to drive the Nuremberg Ring, a world-famous automotive race course.

Best thing about Amboy: The school system.

Shout out to: My parents.

Do you know someone who ought to be featured in Know Your Neighbors? Write to Phil Hartman at phartman@svnmail.com or call 800-798-4085, ext. 524.