Derek was born in Lansing, Michigan but has lived most of his life in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida.
Living on Indian Rocks Beach, the sunshine and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico led to his affinity for island living.
Derek studied Finance and Economics at Florida State University and the University of South Florida, earning degrees in both subjects. Initially working inside the office for a large international financial firm, Derek made a career change to outside sales in 2005 selling diagnostic medical equipment to hospital systems and clinics throughout central Florida.
After first visiting St Kitts and Nevis in 2009, Derek was focused on figuring out a way to make this twin island Federation home. In 2016, that dream became a reality, when he and his wife sold their home in Florida and purchased their forever home on Nevis.
They made their permanent move to the island in the summer of 2017 and have never looked back.