Dennis Corporation Project Controls Manager, Derek Riley graduated from the 2010 Leadership Columbia Program on Tuesday, June 8th at a 6:00 p.m. reception at The Summit Club. The Leadership Columbia Program was formed over 30 years ago to help leaders in the local community understand how their community works, build relationships with other local leaders, and become inspired to leverage their own talents in helping to serve Columbia and its citizens. The program is run by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.
The assembly of community leaders met for one full day each month over a nine-month period with each day focused on an aspect of Columbia. Class topics range from arts and culture, education, political systems and economic development. Guest speeches by community and business leaders, site visits, and hands-on activities serve to give students a better understanding of what the City of Columbia has to offer.
Participants were also required to commit a certain amount of time volunteering at organizations within the City, as well as participate in a collaborative class project. The 2010 class project involved working with a transitional housing facility, the Hannah House. Class members provided much-needed repairs, set up a marketing plan and offered financial literacy training to residents.
Derek Riley credits the program with introducing him to community leaders he never may have come in contact with otherwise. He stated, “There are so many organizations operating within the city of which I had been unaware. I credit the Leadership Columbia Program not only with introducing me to such organizations, but with allowing me the chance to get involved with them.”
As Project Controls Manager, Derek is responsible for modeling and tracking program budgets and schedules. He offers funding source coordination, detailed scheduling, and cashflow and productivity analyses to maximize program and project effectiveness.
Dennis Corporation is a South Carolina licensed civil engineering, surveying and construction management firm. Dennis Corporation’s specific fields of expertise include aviation engineering, civil infrastructure, construction management, construction services, environmental services, expert witness, geotechnical engineering, intelligent transportation systems, program management, special projects, surveying, traffic engineering, transportation engineering and water resources.