Derek Edwards stands out as a seasoned Program Management Director with an impressive track record of leading and developing project management teams, while also identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing subsequent improvements across diverse sectors including the military, space, aerospace, industrial, defense, freight, education, and energy. 

His exceptional ability to introduce and manage project management and PMO development within organizations is matched by his strategic acumen in exceeding annual project revenue targets and his innovative approach to implementing change processes with tangible results. Derek’s leadership has been instrumental in maintaining a 0% turnover rate among project managers for an impressive 30-month period, underscoring his talent for team building and professional development. Notably, Derek has ensured that all project managers under his mentorship have passed the PMP certification exam on their first attempt, reflecting his commitment to fostering excellence in the field of project management.

With a global perspective shaped by his upbringing in England and the Middle East before settling in the US, Derek values diversity and quickly identifies organizational trends and inefficiencies, which he skillfully addresses with effective improvements.

As a Contract Instructor at The University of Texas at Austin since 2016, Derek has imparted his extensive knowledge of project management to industry professionals ranging from professionals with a few years of industry experience, up to and including the CEO level through comprehensive courses like the Principles of Project Management (PPM) and the Gold Seal Project Management Certificate Program (PMCP). His teaching methods have influenced over 1,200 professionals from more than 60 industries worldwide, many attending due to strong word-of-mouth recommendations.

In recognition of his leadership prowess, Derek has received prestigious awards such as the Ultra Leadership Award and Ultra US Boost Award from Ultra Energy where he served as Program Management Director from April 2022 to December 2024.

Prior roles include impactful tenures at Eaton Corporation as Program Manager III and Woodward Inc. as Program Manager II where he led innovative New Product Developments (NPD), New Productive Initiatives (NPI), production programs, turn around programs and managed top-tier defense and aerospace programs. His military background with the US Air Force Reserve and active-duty service equipped him with valuable skills that translated seamlessly into civilian program management success.

In academia, Derek earned a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Management with an emphasis on Organizational Development from the University of La Verne, complementing his BS in MIS and Business Administration from San José State University.

Character: 

Derek’s leadership has been instrumental in maintaining a 0% turnover rate among project managers for an impressive 30-month period, underscoring his talent for team building and professional development.

Knowledge: 

Derek has imparted his extensive knowledge of project management to industry professionals through comprehensive courses like the Principles of Project Management (PPM) and the Gold Seal Project Management Certificate Program (PMCP).  He is also highly adept at implementing and understanding the importance of leadership, emotional intelligence, value-based decision making, and understanding different personality types as they relate to getting the very best out of, and developing high-performing, highly collaborative teams.

Strategic: 

His exceptional ability to introduce and manage not only project teams ranging in size from 5 to 70+ people, but also his ability to develop new PMOs within organizations is matched by his strategic acumen in exceeding annual project revenue targets and his innovative approach to implementing change processes with tangible results.

Communication: 

Derek’s teaching methods have influenced over 1,200 professionals from more than 60 industries worldwide, many attending due to strong word-of-mouth recommendations.