Derik Smith

Originally hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, I spent a fulfilling 25 years in the US Army for my first career. This journey took me to various locations, both within and beyond the continental United States. It wasn’t until my retirement from active duty that my family and I decided to call Northwest Florida our permanent home.

During my active-duty years, my primary role involved counseling service members and their families on continued military service, goal setting, occupational specialty changes for personal and professional growth, as well as managing reassignments and relocations.

Post-retirement, I transitioned into a technical recruiting role in Ft. Walton Beach, supporting a military contract. While I enjoyed the dynamic pace and relationship-building aspects of recruiting, my natural inclination led me to deepen my involvement in employee relations and human resources. This shift seamlessly aligned with the skillset I had honed during my active-duty service.

Engaging in tasks such as assisting relocating employees with home and apartment searches, offering detailed information about specific areas, and providing contact details, my interest in real estate grew steadily. Join me on this journey as I share insights and experiences from my military career, recruiting adventures, and the evolving world of real estate.