Derek is a facility optimization scientist, educator and administrator with broad experience in facility management including asset management, budgeting, project management, preventative maintenance programs, standard operating procedures, condition assessments, energy controls, sustainability, security, emergency management and strategic planning. He has delivered over 100 individual courses in construction management and facility management at three levels (associates, bachelors and masters) with a total of over 1,000 students taught. Hillestad has direct experience with large-scale facility/venue start-ups, guiding overall direction of departmental policies, procedures and operating benchmarks. He is in his final year of Ph.D. studies at Arizona State University.