About Derek R.

Experience & Expertise I became a Realtor in 2001, specializing in Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, and Indian Rocks Beach, and I write monthly newsletters for these markets. I am a Graduate of the Realtor Institute; GRI training sets the standard for real estate professionalism and expertise. I am committed to providing premium quality service and strive to maintain in-depth market knowledge. I abide by the Realtor code of ethics and give sound advice on home pricing. Pricing expertise is one of the most valuable services a Realtor can offer a buyer or seller. I prepare a detailed comparative market analysis that includes pricing adjustments for upgrades and waterfront quality, and I do not use computer-automated valuation model (AVM) algorithms. I gained strong analytical, marketing, and negotiating skills by selling high-tech systems to senior engineering consultants and managers. When listing a home, I strive to protect my client at all stages of the contractual process and to optimize the price they yield. My marketing plan includes services that go above and beyond what most agents offer. My Background I was raised in London; enlisted in the Royal Air Force at age 15 as a Boy Entrant, served nine years as a technician working on fighter aircraft instrumentation, later trained on airborne radar, and worked diagnosing faults on computer-based navigation and bombing systems. After leaving the RAF, I studied telecommunications engineering and designed industrial non-destructive-testing technology to detect metallurgical defects in products passing down automotive and aircraft engine production lines. Local and Overseas Sales and Marketing Experience I emigrated to South Africa and as a sales manager, sold advanced state-of-the-art on-stream process analysis and digital control systems for optimizing the economic performance of mineral extraction processes in platinum, gold, and copper mining plants. After living 10 years in Africa, I was offered a position in the USA as a Process Automation Sales and Marketing Manager. I later sold and marketed security technology internationally to government agencies and commercial organizations, and traveled extensively throughout North and South America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and China. I have had technical white papers published and presented them at international conferences in the U.S. and overseas. Non-Business Interests Currently, I am in the final stage of writing a historical novel. I am a licensed FAA Commercial Drone Pilot interested in photography and enjoy riding a racing cycle on the Pinellas Trail.