Derrick Wallace, a life long resident of the District 6 community, is running to become the next Orange County Commissioner for that district. One of six candidates in the race, Wallace’s journey to becoming a community builder and CEO of the largest African American construction company in Florida, began at Holden Street Elementary, Eccleston Elementary and Jones High School, which his company would end up re-building.
Early Years
Born on Carter Street in low-income Parramore on November 4, 1953, he, his mother and a younger sibling Keith, would later live in a small house in the projects, and they made it work.
Wallace’s mother, Theressa Williams, recalls he was a special child, who from a very young age ‘always tried to make money.’
“About the age of 6 years, he made these red poppy flowers for Mother’s Day and would sell them,” she said. “He also sold roasted peanuts.”
She said her first-born child had a soft touch and was always doing something for someone. Growing up, young Derrick didn’t give much trouble and when his mother had to discipline him, which was rare, he listened.
“I didn’t worry about him. He was a strong person and when he made up his mind, he didn’t change it,” said Williams, with great pride and affection.
Known to many people as “Shine”, Wallace’s mom isn’t sure how the childhood nickname came about, though some suggest it’s because of his ‘shiny’ brown eyes.
Wallace earned an accounting degree from Florida A&M University in 1975 and after graduating magna cum laude, worked as an accountant at a national firm. In 1980, he would go on to found his own glass glazing firm which expanded to a full-service construction management company, serving a diverse clientele, including some of Central Florida’s most prestigious organizations.
Passion for helping people and solving problems
Wallace says he is running for the District 6 seat because things have got to change for the area’s residents, many of whom live below the poverty line.
“I am a businessman and community builder who has created jobs and hired many people over the years,” he said. “I have a passion in wanting to help solve the many problems of this district which, in addition to there being a lack of jobs, there’s much poverty, both of which are related.”
He also believes the vast experience accumulated from serving on numerous boards — Chairman: Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, Central Florida Technology Partnership and The Economic Development Commission Foundation for Education, among others — stands him in good stead to effectively represent the people of the district.
Williams said she wasn’t surprised when her son told her he was running for the District 6 Orange County Commission seat. It is not Wallace’s first foray in politics. In 2003, with little lead time to campaign, he ran unsuccessfully to become the mayor of Orlando.
“While I dislike politics, upon reflection, I was not surprised that Derrick would run again,” she said. “He loves his neighborhood and he has helped a lot of people. Elderly people see him as their son or grandson.”
That’s how retired U.S. Army Major Kenneth Carson and a close friend of Wallace describes him – kind, caring, dependable and responsible.
The two grew up together. They met at a laundromat when they were about 4 or 5 years old and have maintained a close friendship spanning more than 5 decades.
“We played a lot as kids, but Derrick was smarter than I am and always wanted to be top of his class,” said Carson. “He was always very insightful and he still is to this day.”
He says Wallace repeatedly challenged his peers and always wanted to be in a position to make improvements, particularly in people’s lives. Hence, his run for the District 6 seat was a logical next step.
“He has always been able to see what’s needed for improvement, even when he was in high school. He is not one to sit on the sidelines,” Carson said, of Wallace’s candidacy. “He weighs the pros and cons, but when he makes up his mind he goes for it. He has always tackled problems with mental dexterity.”
Integrity and Commitment
Marc Watson, Chief Creative Officer at Universal in Orlando, recalls meeting Wallace in 1994 and again in 1996, and being impressed with his construction company – Construct Two Group. He was willing to grow the company’s management, accounting and construction team to take on larger projects, he says. Wallace’s company would go on to win the bid to build Universal’s Hulk Roller Coaster and Spiderman Ride.
“Wallace met all of his commitments; he would always tell me what was happening,” said Watson. “When he gave you a commitment, he would do it.”
The company has also earned major plaudits for its ‘on time and on budget’ delivery on other projects. These include: DRS School at FAMU, BET entertainment facility at Disney World’s Pleasure Island, Tangelo Park YMCA Family Center and St. Mark AME Church.
And Wallace has received numerous awards including, ‘Distinguished Leadership Alumni Award’ from the Orlando Regional Chamber, ‘Florida Family Business Award’ from the John H. Sykes College of Business at the University of Tampa and ‘Graduate Client of the Year’ Outstanding Performance Award from the Black Business Investment Fund.
Perhaps no one understands the values to which Wallace adheres – integrity, honesty and hard work – better than James Noone who worked for him for 18 years, first as a construction manager and then as a general supervisor.
“I have been in the construction business for a long time. It was like coming home when I went to work for Mr. Wallace,” he said. “The relationship was a trusting one and I enjoyed working for him.”
Like others, Noone thinks not only is it the right time for Wallace to seek to represent his community as a county commissioner, but should he be successful, given his ‘out of the box’ thinking, he will be good for District 6.
“He dares to think outside the box and is not scared to try something,” he said. “His background is accounting, but he saw an opportunity in the construction field and he took a chance and it paid off.”
Fabulous County Commissioner
Former city and county commissioner, Mable Butler echoes these sentiments. She says, Wallace knows the needs of the community, having lived and worked in it all his life.
“Derrick understands the challenges faced by residents in District 6,” said Butler, the first African-American to serve on the Orange County Commission, where she was District 6 Commissioner for 8 years. “He shares their concerns and has given jobs to many young people.”
She believes if elected, he will, going forward, ensure residents of District 6 benefit from major investments like the Amway Center and Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, far more than they have done.
“Derrick would be a fabulous county commissioner, serving not only District 6, but the whole of Orange County,” said the outspoken and principled Butler. “He would get things done.”
