TUCSON, ARIZ. (Feb. 1, 2021) – Derek D. Koller, who has spent his entire professional career serving clients in Tucson and Southern Arizona, was recently promoted to Principal by Terracon Consultants, Inc.
Koller has been instrumental in growing the firm’s Tucson office since joining Terracon in 2014 and has been the Tucson Office Manager since 2018.
Terracon’s Principal program is designed to recognize and reward employees whose leadership helps fulfill the firm’s “purpose of exploring beyond the surface” commitment as a leader on safe, profitable growth while modeling Terracon’s core values.
The role of a Principal includes significant contribution beyond “daily responsibilities” in terms of leadership in advancing the company in areas such as technical capability, client experience, employee experience and community.
Koller, the Office and Environmental Department Manager of the Tucson office, possesses 12 years of environmental consulting experience in Tucson and Pima County. Koller is a Certified Industrial Hygienist, a Certified Hazardous Material Manager, and an Environmental Professional. He manages the overall operations of Terracon’s Tucson office and runs the environmental department as well.
Terracon’s Tucson office has provided construction materials testing, geotechnical engineering, and environmental services in Southern Arizona for more than 25 years.
Koller joined Terracon in 2014 and was reunited with Arizona Regional Manager (then the Tucson Office Manager) Brent Borchers, who was Koller’s mentor when he was in the City of Tucson Environmental Technician Job Training Program in 2008.
“Terracon was a fantastic career move for me and the first time I worked for an employee-owned firm,” Koller said. “I am very proud to be an employee-owner at Terracon. We are a company that really cares about our employees from both a safety and personal perspective. An added bonus is that we can champion for non-profits we support and universities in our community via Terracon Foundation Grants.”
Koller transitioned careers later in life. In 2008, while he was working in construction, he applied and was accepted into an EPA-funded environmental job training program that was facilitated by the City of Tucson. He landed his first environmental consulting job six months after completing the program.
After starting his career in environmental consulting, Koller went back to college and earned his Associate Degree in Applied Science from Pima Community College and both his BS in Public Health (2016) and Master of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health from the University of Arizona (2019).
“Derek has worked in the environmental field out of Tucson for the past 15 years. Since joining the Terracon team in 2014, he started as a project manager and quickly elevated himself to Tucson’s Office Manager in 2018,” Borchers said. “Derek’s high energy and ‘give the client what they need when they need it’ attitude and drive have made him a leader for Terracon’s operation. He is appreciated by our clients and is a well-deserving new Principal of Terracon.”
Koller is a member of numerous industry groups including the American Society of Safety Professionals, American Industrial Hygiene Association, Environmental Professionals of Arizona and Southern Arizona Environmental Management Society (he served as president). He is also a member of Tucson Clean and Beautiful where he is on the board of directors and is a Terracon Foundation Board Member.
Koller has championed $21,000 in Terracon Foundation grants for UA’s Colleges of Public Health and Engineering and $22,500 in Terracon Foundation community grants for non-profits.
“Derek has done a fantastic job of leading his team and keeping them safe and healthy through these challenging times dealing with COVID-19,” said Tim Anderson, Executive Vice President/Western Operating Group for Terracon. He lives our core values and focuses on taking care of our employees, our clients and our communities. Since taking over as the office leader in late 2018, Derek has promoted and led our prosperous growth. Office revenue has grown by over 37 percent. Derek embodies what we want in a leader at Terracon and we are proud to announce his appointment to Principal.”
Away from the office Koller enjoys watching his 11-year-old daughter play soccer for FC Tucson.
Terracon is an employee-owned consulting engineering firm with more than 5,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 150 offices with services available in all 50 states.
Terracon ranks 22nd on the Engineering News-Record list of Top 500 Design Firms and is ranked No. 1 in Asbestos and Lead Abatement Design.
To learn more about Terracon visit terracon.com/offices/tucson/
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