Derek

Apprentice Craftsman

Derek, a northern Michigan native, is from Charlevoix, MI. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Petoskey High School in 2017. Derek is diligently working on his four year apprentice program and recently graduated from NCMC with an Associate of Arts and Certificate of Development in Machining Technology. Derek is currently building a house to live in with his new wife.

Derek is an avid hunter of deer, squirrel and goose and also enjoys fishing at a level of ‘anything that bites’ being his favorite catch. One of his current interests, cooking, could very well put his hunting and fishing successes to good use. He also spends time on hobby projects like his 1995 Chevy K1500 truck.

• Started at Van Dam: June of 2017
• Born in: Petoskey, Michigan
• Favorite Project to Work On: Fiberglass layups and any big glass jobs.
• Favorite Fundamental: #27- Assume Positive Intent.  Derek says, “I think that one as an apprentice hits home. I’m not nearly as talented, (yet), as my co workers, but I hope they assume I’m trying my best. I remind myself that any advice/critique/criticism from them is for my improvement, however hard it can sometimes be to take.”