Derrell grew up playing sports through high school and college and, as a baseball player at the University of Alabama, loved being part of a team. After college, Derrell became a minister, where he began serving and counseling his congregants. Team play and a servant's heart led him to the financial planning arena. Derrell loves the collaborative approach of working with clients to accomplish their financial goals. He has more than 20 years' experience as an independent financial planner working with families, business owners, military personnel, and the ministerial community.
As a business owner himself, Derrell understands the challenges of this dynamic environment where you balance the financial needs of the business and your family. Derrell and the team at AC Financial Partners specialize in family and business financial matters, from estate planning, business succession, and retirement planning, to comprehensive investment strategies.
Derrell spent his formative years traveling the world as the son of a military father. He spent more than 10 years in Germany and various U.S. postings before returning to his family home in Alabama. College led Derrell to the University of Alabama, where he received his BS in commerce and business administration, majoring in accounting. He next received a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Prior to joining AC Financial Partners in 2003, Derrell directed retirement, investment, tax, and compensation planning for the Alabama Baptist Convention, State Board of Missions.
Derrell is an active member of the community, where he served on the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce board of directors as chairman of the business development committee. Derrell is a former board member and member of the Financial Planning Association of North Alabama (FPANA) and a member of the Birmingham Estate Planning Council. He currently serves as chairman of the supervisory committee for Mutual Savings Credit Union. Derrell is also a consultant, providing seminars on financial education to the military in all branches of the service on military bases worldwide, from Japan to Italy.
Derrell is an avid golfer who can be found most Saturdays at Vestavia Country Club hanging out with his Hoofers golf group. Secondarily, travel and the open road continue to beckon to him. Derrell and his wife, Terry, have two adult daughters, Kara and Holly.
Professional Certifications / Registrations:
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
https://api.accredible.com/v1/frontend/credential_website_embed_image/certificate/12380402 - FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations (through Commonwealth Financial Network®)