Derek received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA Tech), an MBA from Florida Institute of Technology, and a Juris Doctor from American University, Washington College of Law (WCL).

Derek’s professional life began as a Contracting Officer for the Department of the Navy, where he was in the Office of Special Projects. During his term with the Department of the Navy, he served as Acting Chief of Acquisition and Resource Management for the White House Situation Support Staff within the National Security Council. While studying for his J.D. at American University, mostly at night, Derek did “dual duty” as a Law Clerk with the Office of Administrative Law Judges at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), primarily working for (now retired) ALJ Lawrence Brenner. Upon graduation from WCL and passage of the Virginia Bar, Derek spent a short time with Hunton & Williams in Richmond, Virginia before deciding he wanted to come back to Washington, DC. Derek joined Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer & Pembroke, PC (DWGP) in January of 2002, where he spent twenty years – starting as a young associate and becoming a Shareholder with the Firm in 2006. While at DWGP, Derek served clients across the country and beyond, ranging from identifying a multi-million-dollar fraudulent bid for a power plant for a New York client, to exploring cutting edge ocean thermal energy in the Caribbean, to working closely with the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and its General Manager (and friend) Walter Haase to bring electric service, running water, and access to wireless communications and broadband, to unserved Native American communities. Fulfilling his lifelong ambition of running a company, in January of 2022 Derek left DWGP to join Today’s Power, Inc. as its President and CEO, where he and his team worked to develop utility-scale solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems and electric vehicle charging stations for members of the Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. and across the United States.

In addition to his professional work, Derek also contributed significantly to his community. Along with filling many, many other roles within the Energy Bar Association (EBA) over the years, Derek was elected to serve as the President of the Charitable Foundation of the Energy Bar Association (CFEBA) from 2005-2006, and President of the Energy Bar Association from 2011-2012. He also served as President of the DC Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) from 2009-2011, served as General Counsel for the national AABE organization, and, when he moved to Little Rock, immediately became involved in the Arkansas Chapter of AABE. And if that wasn’t enough, Derek also served on the Board of Directors for H Street Main Street since its founding in 2010, where he worked tirelessly toward its mission of promoting economic development on H Street, NE in Washington, DC, through among other things, an annual festival that highlights local businesses and the community, testifying before the DC City Council, and working for grant funding to support H Street business improvements.

But enough about Derek’s many, many accomplishments. Derek was, and will be, unforgettable. He was a large man with an even larger personality. Derek had a commanding presence in any situation, and in any room. He never shied away from a leadership position. If he found an issue or a cause important, it was important enough to step in, tell others what to do, and get it done. Derek’s booming laugh – and he laughed a lot -- was both unmistakable and infectious. He loved his kids, his family, his community, and helping others. He was a great friend, and a great person. And he will be greatly missed.