“Simply put: EMA is just an all-around great place to work!" Derek said, summing up what he has come to realize about the company over the last 6+ years in its employ. "To me, there are three things that make EMA unique," he said "...the people, the opportunities for growth offered through educational assistance and mentoring, and the relaxed, family-friendly environment.”

Derek became a piece of the EMA action in December 1995, shortly after EMA was awarded the SPAWARSYSCEN Charleston Life Cycle Engineering Support contract. Over the years, Derek has provided his Navy clients with vital technical and logistics to support all aspects of satellite communications systems installation, maintenance, and repair. What he enjoys most about his job are the opportunities it has afforded him to meet, interact with, and establish relationships with so many different people, whether fellow EMAers, government employees, or other contractors.

"I also have a great working relationship with my supervisor," he said. "...together, these relationships make for a much higher level of job satisfaction."

In 2000, Derek also completed the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) exams through EMA's in-house training program and officially became an MCSE.

"And that's just one of the many ways EMA provides to increase your knowledge and develop your skills..." Derek said. "The fact is, when it comes to growing professionally at EMA, the sky is truly the limit.”