Derrick began his policy career researching and writing on Social Security, Pension, and Health Care Reform at the American Enterprise Institute. Derrick then joined the Majority Staff of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce, where he held hearings around the country on what works in education. In Washington, DC he organized hearings on the crumbling state of DC’s public schools and the need for school choice. These efforts ultimately led to the passage of DC’s Opportunity Scholarship Program. Derrick also helped lead an investigation into corruption, violence, and election fraud by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters — which ultimately led to the removal of their General President and a forced re-run of their election.

After a short stint as a speechwriter in the United States Senate, Derrick left Capitol Hill to become the Director of Government Affairs for the Cato Institute where he worked on many issues, but mostly on the effort to reform Social Security. Derrick then led two business organizations designed to build support around the country and in Congress to invest a portion of Social Security revenue into private, individually managed accounts.

In the above roles, Derrick was published in National Review, Washington Times, Crisis Magazine, Roll Call, and numerous AEI and Cato Institute publications. He has appeared on the Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, The Diane Rehm Show, and hundreds of local radio and television programs. He has been interviewed or quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, New York Times, and Los Angeles Times. Finally, Derrick was named one of six individuals who would “shape the future” by USA Today (March 9, 2009). Derrick was also published in Tax Policy and the Economy, an academic journal published by MIT Press.

When the Social Security reform effort failed, Derrick left politics to help oversee giving at a private family foundation. Derrick and his wife, Virginia, have dedicated much of their adult lives to serving children in at-risk communities. Most significantly, in 1997 they co-founded Cornerstone School, a private, K-12 Christian school in Southeast, DC. Derrick served on Cornerstone’s Board for 15 years and after leaving the private family foundation, served as Cornerstone’s Principal and Executive Director for the last seven years.

Derrick met his wife Virginia at Wheaton College and they have been married for 31 years. They are the proud parents of four grown children and were legal guardians to one.