Bill Derks,
Esteemed Civil Engineer Since 1996, to Conclude Storied 27-Year
Career at McAdams in May 2024
RALEIGH,
N.C., May 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- McAdams, the
Raleigh–based multidisciplinary design and engineering firm known
for its expertise in civil / site design, land planning, landscape
architecture, transportation, water resources, and geomatics, has
announced the retirement of Bill
Derks, Vice President of Land Development. Derks, who
started with the firm in August 1996,
has been instrumental in advancing some of the most significant
development projects in the Raleigh-Durham area. His retirement on
May 1, 2024, marks the culmination of
a remarkable career at McAdams, capping a nearly 30-year tenure
with the company.
Derks, who made a transition from business management and
marketing to civil engineering, is revered for combining creative
insight with analytical skills. No stranger to challenges, his
career highlights include leading the civil engineering side of The
Streets at Southpoint project, one of his first projects, which
remains a stunning example of modern mall design. Derks also played
a fundamental role in the Fenton project in Cary, one of his last projects, where he
oversaw its multifaceted construction and innovative design and
effectively bookended his career with monumental achievements in
development.
Both projects, among others in his portfolio, including
sprawling shopping centers (Parkside Town Commons, Cary, and Holly Springs Towne Center,
Holly Springs), dynamic
residential areas (Meadowmont, Chapel
Hill and Holding Village, Wake
Forest), and innovative business parks (HUB, RTP), reflect
his work ethic and his innovative approach to development.
"Bill's commitment to quality, attention to detail, and
innovative thinking have not only propelled significant projects
but have also solidified our reputation as a leader in our field,"
said Mike Munn, President and CEO of
McAdams. "His calming presence and extraordinary problem-solving
abilities have imparted wisdom into a generation of leaders within
our team."
"Contributing to the growth of our skyline and community has
been deeply rewarding," Derks shared. "I came to the Triangle this
field with a vision of being an architect, and though my path
shifted, that creative itch never ceased. I've been able to bring a
different perspective to my role in civil engineering, thinking
outside of traditional linear patterns, which has aided in the
success of our projects."
"Bill's ability to stay composed under pressure has become a
part of McAdams' culture, inspiring both colleagues and clients,"
stated Munn. "He possesses a genuine passion for his work and an
unwavering commitment to his team which have been the cornerstones
of his career".
As a mentor, Derks has been a driving force behind the growth of
many professionals at McAdams, embracing the firm's dedication to
continuous improvement and client satisfaction. His quiet yet
competitive spirit—a trait stemming from his collegiate swimming
championship days at Kenyon College, in
Ohio—has driven McAdams' teams to secure success across a multitude
of projects.
"He always made a conscious effort to build relationships with
those that he's worked with," said Scott
Levitan, President and CEO of Research Triangle Park. "When Bill called and
told me he was retiring, he wasn't leaving his team in the lurch.
He made sure that the transition was going to be seamless. We felt
appreciated because he made an effort to appreciate us."
As McAdams approaches this transition, the firm is well
positioned to continue Derks' legacy thanks to the robust team of
leaders he has developed over the last three decades. McAdams
continues its commitment to maintaining the standards of quality
and excellence that Bill Derks so
perfectly embodied and helped establish throughout the team. Derks
will remain available as a part-time advisor to the McAdams Land
Development team, ensuring his invaluable expertise continues to
guide their endeavors.
About McAdams
Founded in 1979, McAdams is a full-service civil engineering,
land planning, landscape architecture, transportation, and
geomatics firm headquartered in Raleigh,
North Carolina with offices in Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. McAdams is
passionate about providing unique and engaging experiences for its
clients and its clients' clients. McAdams understands the
importance of a lasting impression and strives to bring life to the
collective vision for project success. McAdams' engineering
expertise and other integrated services help provide efficient and
effective solutions to serve its clients' project needs. McAdams
cares about the end product and shares its clients' goals.
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SOURCE McAdams