As chief operating officer, William R. “Rick” Derrer is responsible for overseeing all operational aspects of the company and ensuring Gulf’s ability to consistently exceed client expectations in project delivery.
With over 50 years of experience in the construction industry, Rick brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Gulf. Rick co-founded James A. Cummings Inc. in 1981 as a three-person operation and grew it into a multi-million-dollar business before the company was sold in 2003 to Perini Corp. He retained his role as President and CEO until his retirement in October 2015.
Beyond his role at Gulf, Rick is actively involved in industry associations and initiatives aimed at advancing the construction sector. He is a member of the Broward Workshop, Chairman of the CSBE Advisory Board in Miami-Dade County, past Chairman and current member of the Board of Rules and Appeals for Miami–Dade County. Derrer serves on the board of the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade. He advocates for enhanced parks that improve people’s quality of life and for increased walkability and connectivity in communities. He is a past member of the Advisory Council Executive Committee of the University of Florida’s M. E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management and a past President of the Construction Association of South Florida.
Rick graduated with honors from the University of Florida’s M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management and he was inducted into the University’s Construction Hall of Fame in 2007.