The holiday season is a time to celebrate our family, friends, traditions, and the unsung heroes among us. It's something award-winning storyteller Eric Johnson did for years. His "Eric's Heroes" segment on KOMO News.

He introduced viewers to unique characters whose spirit inspired us, made us smile, often brought us to tears, and challenged us to be heroes in our own way. Eric will talk about some of his favorite heroes and the powerful and lasting gift they've given to their communities.

Eric is one of the most respected and beloved broadcasters in Northwest television. He worked in various markets across the region over the course of a nearly 40-year career, including Boise, Spokane, and Portland, while spending the last 31 years at KOMO-TV in Seattle. Prior to his retirement in June of this year, he anchored the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts at KOMO-TV.

Eric's career began as a sportscaster, with his early positions at KBCI and KTVB in Boise, KREM in Spokane, and KGW in Portland. He joined KOMO News in 1993 as a weekend sportscaster, eventually transitioning to news anchor.

His storytelling prowess has earned him over 50 regional Emmy Awards and seven National Edward R. Murrow Awards. Eric has also produced several acclaimed documentaries, including "Seattle is Dying," a groundbreaking piece viewed more than 20 million times, and "The Fight for the Soul of Seattle."

Raised in the Spokane Valley, Eric attended East Valley High School and later majored in broadcasting at the Edward R. Murrow School of Communications at Washington State University.