Derek is the Conservation Technician in the John Redmond Reservoir Watershed and works closely with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Derek brings a unique blend of skills and experiences to his work at KAWS. He has over a decade of agricultural Co-op management experience, time with law enforcement and in fleet maintenance, and most notably served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He has transformed the Conservation Technician role into a full-service conservation program offering everything from brush clearing to interseeding cover crops. In 2023, Derek was promoted to Watershed Coordinator for the John Redmond and Toronto-Fall River WRAPS.
When not at work, you can find Derek with his family, working on the farm, or indulging in his love of classic cars.