Derek is a co-founder of Legacy Outdoor Adventures and Juniper Canyon recovery for women. A seasoned professional in the field with 19 years of experience working in the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare industry. Derek was the recipient of the 2017 Utah Community Service award for his nonprofit work and is a strong advocate for prevention through promotion. Derek presents nationally at Universities and conferences educating and demystifying wilderness therapy and encouraging taking therapy off the couch and outside. Derek also presents and works locally with his community in an effort to raise awareness and address the root causes of addiction, abuse, and trauma. Committed to the goal of advancing effective wilderness and residential treatment to more diverse demographics, Derek serves on the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare council board and serves on the government relations committee, and is the current chair of the marketing committee. Founder of the Loa Fund, a non-profit supporting mental health, and addiction treatment. Founder of the You Are Awesome campaign, a positive message campaign designed to promote compassion, kindness, and gratitude facilitated at High schools, Universities, and at the Sundance Film Festival. An avid promoter of positive culture and giving back. Derek consistently finds ways to cultivate opportunities and inspire those around him. Since 2001 Derek has been living a wilderness therapy dream, with notable efforts at Redcliff, Aspen, and Open Sky.

On the weekends he is learning to ski with his nine-year-old son and six-year-old daughter negotiating the dubious hot chocolate to ski-run ratio.