Meet Your Mayor

Hello, I’m Dereck.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to get to know me.

Titles do not build relationships. People do. So rather than give you a formal biography, I want to tell you a little about who I am outside the title of mayor and what matters most to me in serving our community.

A Life of Service

I work full time as a manager at Wayne’s Towing & Recovery. My work in towing, emergency response, and public service has taught me the importance of staying calm, listening carefully, treating people with respect, and helping wherever I can—especially when someone is having a difficult day.

Public service has been part of my life since I was young. I joined the Witmer Fire Protective Association when I was 14 years old and continue to serve there in an administrative capacity. I am also a member of Middle Creek Search & Rescue. Those experiences have helped shape the way I approach leadership, teamwork, responsibility, and service to others.

Outside of Public Service

Outside of work and public service, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Alyssa, and getting outdoors whenever we can. We enjoy off-roading in our UTV and Jeep Wrangler, including trips to Potter County’s Northcentral Regional ATV Trail, Rausch Creek, and AOAA.

I am also an avid animal lover. Alyssa and I have three dogs: Timber, our German Shepherd, and Quinn and Sadie, who are both rescues. They are a big part of our family.

How I Try to Serve

When someone brings me a concern, my first instinct is to understand it from their perspective. I may not always have the authority or ability to resolve every issue, but I can listen, be honest, and care about what a resident is experiencing.

“If people remember one thing about my time as mayor, I hope it is that I listened, even when I could not resolve the issue’ and that I cared.”

I want every resident to know that I am here for them, whether or not they like me, voted for me, or share my political views. The Office of the Mayor belongs to the entire community, and I will always strive to serve it that way.

I am proud to call East Petersburg home, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as your mayor.