Derek is Past-President of Canadian Agricultural Economics Society and has served on numerous boards and committees including the U of M Senate and the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council. His recent research has focused on the spatial dimensions of grain and oilseed markets and firm location choices as well as innovation in food processing and plant breeding. Prior to his academic career Derek was a Corporate Advisor for the Canadian Wheat Board; a Policy Economist for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (PFRA and Policy Branch) and a lender for Farm Credit Corporation. Derek was raised on a mixed irrigation farm near Purple Springs, Alberta.