Eric Onnen was elected to the Goleta City Council in 2006. He served as Mayor Pro Tempore for the 2009 term, and on December 1, 2009 was elected by the City Council to serve as Mayor for the 2010 term. Onnen serves on the following City committees: The Legislative Issues Committee, the Library Committee, the Recognition Committee, the Energy Issues Committee, the Solid Waste Task Force Committee, and the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee. He is also on the following regional committees: The Air Pollution Control District, the Coastal Express Policy Committee, the Community Action Commission Board, the Regional Integrated Waste Management Reporting Authority, and the Multi-Jurisdictional Solid Waste Task Group.
Onnen, his wife Kelly and two daughters, are long time residents of Goleta. Onnen is the co-owner and CEO of the Santa Barbara Airbus. He and the Santa Barbara Airbus have been recognized by the Goleta Chamber of Commerce as the 2001 Small Business of the Year, and by the Small Business Association's Western Region as the 2003 Family Business of the Year.
Onnen joined the Goleta Rotary Club in 1986, where he served as President in 1989-1990. As a dedicated community member, he has also served on the boards of the Goleta Chamber of Commerce, Goleta Girls and Boys Club, Santa Barbara Visitors Bureau, Goleta Valley Historical Society, and the Page Youth Center.