Derek was born in Pasadena, CA. He graduated Don Bosco Technical Institute and enlisted in the Marines in 2007. Derek served 13 years in the Marines and held three different occupational specialties as an Aviation Logistics Information System specialist in Beaufort, SC, as an MV-22 Osprey Crew Chief in San Diego, CA and as a Recruiter in the 1^st MCD in Bloomfield, NJ. He deployed with VMM-163 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and received an honorable discharge. Derek enjoys kayaking in the Boston harbor and flying privately outside of work.