William R. “Rick” Derrer Sr., Chief Operating Officer of Gulf Building, LLC is a longtime construction executive with more than 50 years of experience and extensive knowledge of the South Florida construction industry. A graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction, Rick has spent his career leading complex construction projects and organizations throughout Florida.

Rick was a co-founder of James A. Cummings, Inc., a major Florida construction company established in 1981, where he served in senior leadership roles including Vice President of Operations, President, and ultimately Chief Executive Officer and President. Over the course of his career, he has overseen billions of dollars in construction encompassing commercial, governmental, institutional and educational facilities.

His experience spans a broad range of sectors, including schools and higher-use educational facilities, health care and wellness centers, public safety and government buildings, transportation infrastructure, affordable and market-rate housing, commercial and mixed-use development, and community and recreational facilities. His work has included major airport and transportation improvements, schools, medical facilities, fire and police stations, community centers, parks and recreation projects, residential developments and large-scale commercial facilities throughout South Florida and the Florida Keys.

Rick brings decades of operational leadership, construction expertise and knowledge of the South Florida market to his work. He is a Florida-licensed general contractor and brings to the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a valuable perspective on construction, capital development and the creation of high-quality public spaces and community facilities.