When Derek came here, he was first hired as a project engineer, and that was when we were doing the Nestucca K-8 School. He definitely showed a lot of talent and abilities to really take on more. When Lloyd left he became the project manager for the K-8, so he kind of came out of the gate right off the bat with a pretty good sized job he had to take on. He did real well taking on something that large as a project manager.
Derek was one of our earlier PEs, from when we started hiring project engineers, coming from a family business of mink farming. He showed that he was more than a PE, so we moved him right into the PM role. And with that, he also has a really good ability to speak with clients and owners. I know he went down with Keeley when they did the awards for the presentation for the K-8 school. He had to speak in front of the whole committee, so he definitely has that ability to speak well with others no matter what size the audience is. That’s where I think his strength is too, his ability to communicate and speak with the team members as well as owners and clients. He’s up for the challenge.
He’s very knowledgeable. He picks up on things pretty quick, and he’s great to share that knowledge with others when they have questions, being how he came up as a PE at first. He knows a lot about the software, and he’s really good with the accounting side. So he’s really good to help mentor the younger PEs because he’s got that experience coming from that. He can really help the project engineers become better at their jobs as well as other PMs that he’s working with, because he’s picking up things so fast. And he communicates so well, he’s able to share in a way where people can understand what he’s delivering due to his ability with public speaking.
Derek is very tech-savvy and good with all our current software. He’s valuable there because he knows all the different programs. He’s pushing everything forward and helping the supers by running through details with them and making sure that they’re getting the right information, putting everything in front of them that’s needed.
I see Derek becoming a leader in the divisions he’s in, helping to take the Coast to the next level, and helping to grow the company. With the company growing, getting bigger, and taking on bigger jobs, his experience with public works shows us he’s ready. He’s been working with Michelle and the team and putting together a good portfolio. He seems like he’s going to really push us forward, put us out there, and change how people view us, our company, and our values.
-Interview with Shane Curl, Sr. Project Manager & General Superintendent
