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FMTC Employee Spotlight: Derek Koebel

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Meet Derek Koebel, Chief Operating Officer at FMTC!

How long have you worked at FMTC? What is your current role?

I began with FMTC as the chief operating officer on September 19, 2022.

What do you like most about your job?

I love the fact that it is not boring. There is always something going on in all the departments. I really like having influence in these areas. I also really enjoy seeing people grow and develop.

What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?

You learn more from your failures than you do from your successes — so never give up, as you have learned valuable lessons even if you “failed” (you’ve learned what not to do).

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

I go to the gym each morning — this is where I get a clear mind and think (as strange as that may sound). I also run every Tuesday evening with the Brickell Run Club (we have about 500 people running about 3.5 miles through the city). Living in Miami, I love being active and outdoors. In the summer you can find me at the beach.

Now that my kids are all grown, I really like to travel. I tend to be a thrill seeker — I’ve done skydiving, powered parachuting, hang gliding, bungee jumping, cage diving (with sharks), and zip lining (Toro Verde in Puerto Rico). This year I became certified in SCUBA. I also try to find time to ride my motorcycle. On my bucket list — the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know?

I HATE butter — made it very difficult growing up in America’s Dairyland (WI).

Where’s your favorite place in the world?

Physical location — so far it is Santorini, Greece. This is a beautiful Greek island and where I asked my wife Mayra to marry me.
Mentally — with my grandkids and spoiling them rotten!

Derek and his wife Mayra in Greece.
From left to right: Mayra (wife), Vicky (daughter), Ares, Athena, Caleb (grandchildren), and Derek.
Derek with grandchildren Weylon and Ophelia.

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

Regrets are those things in life that you did not do — live without regrets!

Name three words to best describe you?

Competitive, competitive, competitive.

What is one thing you can’t live without?

Excitement and humor — I tend to find humor in most anything.

What is your hometown?

I grew up in Green Bay, WI.

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