Derrick Floyd is a man on a mission to improve his community of Sumter, South Carolina.

The 2005 Master of Public Administration graduate retired from the Air Force after 26 years, and today, along with his wife Cassandra and son Devin operates Pound of Love Bakery in Sumter.

In June, he will assume the helm of the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce as its Chair.

“Community is everything. If we’re going to live here, we have a responsibility to contribute to the growth and betterment of the community,” he said. “My entire life has been service and community based. Retiring from the Air Force did not absolve me of the responsibility of contributing to the community.  There are some next-level opportunities within our community and with some focused leadership and willingness to work, improvement can be actualized.”

He also serves as the Lead HR Consultant and Chief Information and Resource Manager for Embrace Your Power LLC, a comprehensive human resource training and motivational speaking organization. That’s a role he’s certainly suited to fill. He served as Director of Manpower, Personnel, and Services for the Ninth Air Force, Air Force Central Command in his final duty position in the Air Force – supporting more than 15,000 Air Force deployers in the United States Central Command area of responsibility. He retired at the rank of colonel.

Throughout his Air Force career, he held multiple command and staff positions and deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle.

Earning an undergraduate degree from East Carolina University in psychology, he commissioned in the Air Force through the school’s ROTC program. In addition to his TROY degree, his educational credits include Squadron Officer School at Maxwell AFB, Joint Forces Staff College, and the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C.

That experience, coupled with his desire to improve the community in which he lives, spills over into every facet of his current involvement. He chairs the East Carolina University Veterans Alumni Chapter, is engaged in community and economic development, and, even, his cottage bakery was rooted in a desire to create a space for “differently-abled” individuals.

“My wife and I opened the bakery to create some space for our son, who has autism,” he said. “Our ultimate goal is to expand and create additional space for other differently-abled individuals interested in baking.”

Throughout his TROY program, he said professors treated him more like family than a student.

“For members considering the Trojan Family, you’ll never be any less busy than you are now. A bachelor’s degree is literally the price of admission for many professionals – it’s the first step to so many opportunities,” he said. “Troy University is more than an institution – it’s a family! You can do it, you just have to decide and go for it.”

Floyd said his MPA program was challenging, academically and logistically.

“My military requirements were extremely tasking while I was enrolled, but I found TROY extremely accommodating. Though challenging, they made arrangements for me to complete classes while I was deployed and on ‘TDYs’,” he said.

“They encouraged my growth academically and I found myself on the Dean’s List and inducted into the Honor Society,” Floyd added.

Floyd’s speaking schedule has placed him in front of various groups including the Department of Homeland Security, local Live2Lead seminars, and Deployed Spouses events.

“I always encourage them to pursue degrees with Troy University because I know the value of education and the difference it can and will make for those who take the Trojan Leap.”