Derek is a proven leader with more than 35 years of hands-on, post-secondary-school construction industry experience at multi-million-dollar general contracting and real estate development firms. He brings wide-ranging experience across project types, including multifamily, master-planned communities, hotels and resorts, commercial, office, retail, and beyond. Derek joined CFC in 2023.
Derek’s clients and colleagues greatly value his integrity, transparent approach to leadership, and clear dedication to mentoring people committed to realizing their potential. He is an excellent communicator, team builder, and problem solver with a remarkable ability to increase revenues, profits, and market share alongside employee engagement and satisfaction.
Professional and Educational Background
Derek first became interested in construction as a 10-year-old Laborer on a residential jobsite. While picking up trash and sweeping floors isn’t every kid’s idea of fun, Derek loved the energy and camaraderie of construction, working as a Laborer and Assistant Carpenter each summer from seventh grade through high school. After earning his BS in Construction Management from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, Derek worked his way up the ranks at national and regional general contractors, ultimately gaining experience as a Project Manager or Superintendent on a range of high-profile projects. From 2002-2006, as VP of a leading regional general contractor, Derek strategically grew revenues from $2M to $65M, expanding the firm’s market share and elevating brand recognition across project types. Next, as Chief Development Officer at a $1.5B real estate development firm, he navigated a portfolio of 72 businesses with 2,500+ employees while managing development, design, and construction of all land development projects and helping the company reduce more than $18M of overhead and eliminate $300M of debt.
Following a period as a consultant helping contractors and developers improve productivity, Derek served as President of a start-up general contracting firm – managing all facets, including preconstruction, budgeting, estimating, design, subcontractors, cost control, scheduling, procurement, employee development, and client relations – transforming it into a multi-million-dollar firm. Derek then relocated to California to lead operations at a mid-sized general contractor focused on multifamily and hospitality, where he was successful in building a strong multigenerational team environment, maintaining key client relationships, and creatively leveraging the supply chain to ensure timely, cost-effective delivery of projects. Prior to joining CFC, Derek was VP of Operations for a California-based general contractor, managing operations while diversifying the company’s portfolio, directing oversight and continuous improvement across the organization, and spearheading key multi-million-dollar projects.
What Derek Values Most About Working at CFC
Derek first collaborated with CFC in 1994 on a Central City hotel/casino project that was a joint venture between CFC and his past employer. Working alongside CFC’s EJ Olbright and other key CFC personnel, Derek remembers being greatly impressed by the camaraderie and transparency that served as a common thread across the team – a thread he is excited to extend and strengthen in his new role. Derek also appreciates how Big-D’s acquisition of CFC has provided insight and cross-discipline experience that is helping the firm flourish.
Beyond Building
Derek was born and raised in San Diego, California. After 9/11, he relocated to South Carolina, where he spent 13 years before heading back west. In his free time, you’ll find Derek fishing, golfing, hiking, mentoring, attending and leading at church, and spending time with his wife, kids, and grandkids.