Derek’s real estate experience began in high school while working for the Ross Foundation in Arkadelphia where he learned forestry and land management practices. While completing his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management at Ouachita Baptist University, he began a real estate appraisal apprenticeship and studied aviation at Henderson State University. Derek has been a certified appraiser and licensed real estate agent since 2009. During that time, he has consulted on behalf of private landowners, non-profits, and state/federal agencies regarding acquisition, disposal, and valuation over tens of thousands of acres.  As an appraiser, he completes a few hundred residential and land appraisals annually for banks and private clients.

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Throughout his 8 year tenure at The Nature Conservancy, Derek worked closely with partners to buy, sell, and protect land in all four corners of the state including Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area, Upper Little Red River, Buffalo River, Kings River, Saline River, Mulberry River, Strawberry River, Hot Springs National Park, Electric Island on Lake Hamilton, Poison Springs State Forest, and Terre Noire Natural Area.  He also worked on Cache River, White River, Pond Creek, and Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuges, as well as Camp Robinson, Grandview, Casey Jones, Beryl Anthony, Beaver Lake, Dagmar, Benson Creek, Wattensaw, Warren Prairie, Falcon Bottoms, Longview Saline, and Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Areas.

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With years of experience as an appraiser, REO asset manager for an Arkansas bank, and principled commitment to increase Arkansas’ conservation efforts statewide, Derek is a natural fit for a diverse range of real estate needs. 

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Certification & Education

• Licensed Real Estate Agent – Arkansas

• Certified Real Estate Appraiser – Arkansas

• Master of Divinity – Chaplaincy (US Navy Reserve), 2012, Liberty University

• B.A. Business Management, 2007, Ouachita Baptist University

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Specialization

• Marketing of Real Estate including Residential, Recreational, Timberland, Farm, and Hunting properties

• 1031 Exchanges

• VRBO/AirBNB

• Financial and Valuation Analysis

• Conservation Easements, Watershed and Habitat Management Techniques

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Memberships

• Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry – Board Member

• The Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation

• Arkansas Forestry Association

• The Nature Conservancy

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