Published: July 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Leslie Provence
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rick Erwin was born in Greenville and lived in Fountain Inn and Liberty before moving to Greenville at age 10. Except for short periods of time while opening new restaurants, he has lived in Greenville ever since. He worked for Ryan's Family Steak Houses for 23 years. In 2004, he had the opportunity to purchase a building in the historic West End. On May 11, 2005, Erwin fulfilled a lifelong goal when Rick Erwin's West End Grille opened. The restaurant has established itself as a fixture in the local fine dining scene, and in 2009 was one of only two restaurants in the entire state to be named a Top 50 restaurant by Open Table online reservation service.

On April 14, 2010, Erwin's second restaurant, Nantucket Seafood Grill, opened. Erwin is also very involved in civic endeavors. Among other things, he serves as president of the board of United Ministries and as vice president of the restaurant division for the South Carolina Hospitality Association. When he has spare time, Erwin enjoys playing golf, attending Clemson games and watching all sports.

1. Where were you born?

Greenville

2. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Extrovert

3. What is your favorite movie?

“Forrest Gump”

4. Is your desk messy or neat?

Neat

5. What was your first job?

I was a dishwasher at Western Family Steakhouse (when I was 14!)

6. What was your first car?

A 3 on the column 1957 Chevy Bel Air that had been my grandfather's car.

7. What was your major in college?

Business

8. What book is on your nightstand?

No book, just the television remote control.

9. What is your favorite comfort food?

My mom's macaroni pie.

10. What is the “coolest” experience you have ever had?

Spending a weekend at Augusta National.

11. How did you meet your spouse?

My wife is a lawyer and I was a witness for her in a trial.

12. What advice would you give a young person just starting out?

Work hard and save 10 percent of your income for the first 20 years that you work.

13. What type of music do you most enjoy?

Beach and jazz.

14. Are you a good dancer?

Yes, but not as good as Bob Howard.

15. Who is your hero?

My nephew, Justin Webb, who had his leg amputated after a serious car accident and graduates from UNC Greensboro this year.

16. What are your hobbies?

Golf and all sports.

17. Have you ever met a famous person? Who?

I have met a number of political and sports figures. The most famous (and also the most gracious) is Arnold Palmer.

18. If you could invite five people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be?

John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Vince Lombardi, Bobby Jones and Nelson Mandela.

19. Whom do you most admire?

My mother.

20. What would you do if you didn't do your present occupation?

I would be a college football coach.