Derek, a Chicago native, is a product of that city's improv scene. As a child he was trained under the Piven Theatre Workshop and Interlochen Arts Camp. He attended Indiana University where he co-founded improv troupe Full Frontal Comedy while taking classes at Second City and iO (formerly Improv Olympic.)

Derek has been a mainstay of the L.A. improv community - performing and teaching for over 20 years. He performed at i.O. West with Opening Night: The Improvised Musical! in over 1000 performances.

After touring with Second City at Sea, Derek landed the series "The Hills: According to Me" for MTV (where he played over 20 roles) and then the Comedy Central series, "Sercret Girlfriend" playing the role of Phil and acting as a consulting writer. In TBS' hour-long comedy "Wedding Band" Derek played Barry the band's drummer - an instrument he had never played before. They released 40 songs on iTunes.

Derek co-wrote the pilot "Mid to Late" with Nicole Parker. Starring Eliza Coupe and Ryan Hansen. He acted and wrote alongside SNL cast members Chris Redd and Alex Moffat on the NBC Untitled Sketch Show.

He currently is working in the UK