On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at his home in Little Rock, Arkansas, Derek Anthony Dyson departed this earthly life to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born in Norfolk, VA, on August 15, 1969, the tenth child to his parents, Olivia and Carl Dyson, Sr., both of Norfolk.
Derek accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of eight years old and was active in the children’s and youth ministries at Olive Grove Baptist Church in Norfolk until he went away to college. Derek attended Norfolk City Public Schools, graduating from Norview High School in 1986. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, VA. After receiving his Bachelor’s, Derek qualified to be hired by the Department of the Navy as a Contracting Officer. He subsequently relocated to Northern Virginia to work at Crystal City in the day and pursued a Master’s in Business Administration. at night from the Florida Institute of Technology. He then pursued a Juris Doctor degree from American University, Washington College of Law (WCL) in Washington, DC.
While a student law clerk, Derek was afforded opportunities to gain experience with the White House Situation Support Staff and the Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He worked on the financing, development, construction, operation, and decommissioning of numerous energy projects across the United States and internationally. Derek’s first experience as a new lawyer was a short stint with Hunton & Williams in Richmond, Virginia. Not long after, he became a young law associate at the Law Firm of Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer & Pembroke, PC (DWGP) in Washington, DC. He spent twenty years with the firm, becoming a shareholder, and was welcomed as a partner in 2006. His cases included clients inside and beyond the United States, with complexity levels ranging from identifying a multi-million dollar fraudulent bid for a New York client’s power plant, exploring cutting-edge ocean thermal energy in the Caribbean, and working closely with the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority in order to bring electric service, running water and access to wireless communications and broadband to unserved Native American Communities.
Fulfilling his lifelong ambition of running a company, Derek accepted a position in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the President/CEO of Today’s Power, Inc. (TPI) in January 2022. He and his team worked to develop utility-scale solar photovoltaic energy and storage systems and electric vehicle charging stations for members of the Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. and across the United States.
Derek also contributed significantly to his community. He served on the Board of Directors for H Street Main Street since its founding in 2010, where he worked tirelessly toward its mission of promoting economic development on H Street, NE, in Washington, DC. He testified before the DC City Council and worked for grant funding to support H Street business improvements. H Street just celebrated its 19th annual festival that continues to highlight local businesses and the community. Along with filling many other roles within the Energy Bar Association (EBA) over the years, Derek was elected to serve as the President of the Charitable Foundation of the Energy Bar Association (CFEBA) from 2005-2006 and President of the Energy Bar Association from 2011-2012. He also served as President of the DC Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) from 2009-2011, served as General Counsel for the national AABE organization, and, when he moved to Little Rock, immediately became involved in the Arkansas Chapter of the AABE.
Beyond his career successes, Derek’s proudest accomplishment by far was being a loving and devoted father to his two outstanding children. Derek was dedicated to pouring his heart and energy into their well-being. He exposed his children to the fine arts, traveled abroad with them, and taught them invaluable lessons about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. He was loving, caring, kind-hearted, and generous. He had a large personality and a commanding presence in any situation and any room. Derek’s booming laugh – and he laughed a lot – was both unmistakable and infectious. He loved his family, friends, his community and had a passion for helping others. Derek was a great friend to many and was an overall wonderful person. He will be greatly missed.
Derek was preceded in death by his parents, Olivia M. Dyson and Carl Dyson, Sr., and his sister, Carla Dyson. He is survived by his two children, Derek Robert (Robbie) Anthony Dyson and Cecelia Olivia Elizabeth Dyson, as well as siblings Carolyn Dyson Jackson (Marvin), Thomasine Dyson Williams (Robert), Debra Dyson Taylor (Charles), Phyllis Dyson, Carl Dyson, Jr., Carlos Dyson, Denise Dyson Martin, and Veda Dyson; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and devoted friends.
Condolences(9)-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Previous Villa Mae Johnson
Next Ida Mae Davis
Tiffany Covington-Gibson says
October 16, 2024 at 11:31 amMy condolences to the Dyson family! My heart goes out to you. Derek was a great friend of mine. My heart aches to know such a wonderful person is no longer with us. I plan to attend the service to say my goodbyes. Praying for strength and comfort during this time. With fond memories, Tiffany Covington-Gibson
Sebrina Brown says
November 1, 2024 at 10:52 pmDear Dyson Family, I extend my deepest sympathy and prayers to you. May God grant you comfort during your time of loss. To grieve is to have loved. I join your village in praying for you. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Ada Brooks says
November 4, 2024 at 1:33 pmDyson Family, I had the privilege of working with Derek while at Today’s Power. Derek’s physical presence is truly missed, but his spirit remains in the building. We know that to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. My prayers and condolences go out to you and your family. Ada Brooks
Monique Johnson-Leake says
November 4, 2024 at 3:26 pmTo the Dyson Family, Our hearts are broken. The Johnson Family has known Derek for over 40 years. Derek and Aaron (my brother) were the best of friends. When Aaron passed unexpectedly, Derek was right there for us and his girls. We always kept in touch and sent one another messages and always ended with “I love you.” Rest in Peace My Brother and We Love You. We know you’re happy to be reunited with your loved ones, and your Besties Aaron and Chris again.
Eileen O'Rourke says
November 6, 2024 at 5:11 pmMy heart is aching that we have lost Derek, my friend and colleague, much too soon.
To Derek’s children, siblings and extended family, please know that I hold you all close in my thoughts even though we have never met, because he spoke of you so often with great pride, love and affection.
What a guy! I will be at the memorial service to honor my friend and to celebrate his rich life together.
Timothy Erskine Johnson, EdD. says
November 7, 2024 at 1:05 amTo the Dyson Family,
I send condolences to each of you to express my sympathy after hearing of Derrick’s passing announced at his home church: Olive Grove Baptist Church. I have great memories of him from church. I am proud to hear of his many accomplishments; children, professional work, and the organizations he was involved in. I am proud to have known Derrick. May the work he’s done speak for him. We’ll done! We’ll done! We’ll done!!
Tim Johnson (Olive Grove Baptist Church – Norfolk, VA)
Timothy Erskine Johnson, EdD. says
November 7, 2024 at 1:10 amTo the Dyson Family,
I send condolences to each of you to express my sympathy after hearing of Derrick’s passing announced at his home church: Olive Grove Baptist Church. I have great memories of him from church. I am proud to hear of his many accomplishments; children, professional
work, and the organizations he was involved in. I am proud to have known Derrick. May the work he’s done speak for him. We’ll done! We’ll done! We’ll done!!
Tim Johnson (Olive Grove Baptist Church – Norfolk, VA)
Thomas Nelson says
November 7, 2024 at 4:34 pmI express my deepest sympathies for the unexpected passing of Derek. Over the last several years I have worked with him on projects for Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and enjoyed every minute of our association. He was always a great friend, professional attorney and trusted consultant.
William Acee says
November 8, 2024 at 10:10 amI always enjoyed a visit with Derek. My sincerest condolences to his family from myself and the New York Association of Public Power. He was always positive, always looking forward and will be missed.