Derek Hodges

Derek Hodges has a diverse work experience in communications, content creation, and journalism. Derek started their career as a Reporter at The Sylva Herald, where they covered stories for various organizations and prepared news submissions. Derek then worked as a Reporter at The Mountain Press, where they received numerous awards for their investigative reporting and created content around important topics. Derek also had roles at Social Joey as a Social Media Content Creator, producing content for different clients, and at KaTom Restaurant Supply, Inc., where they held positions such as Brand Journalist and Manager of Content & Communications. Derek contributed to the growth of website traffic and improved the user experience through partnerships and effective communication strategies. Currently, Derek is the Director of Communications, Content, & Marketing at KaTom Restaurant Supply, Inc.

Derek Hodges holds a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Digital Communication from the UNC School of Media and Journalism and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to that, they earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Religion and Philosophy from Mars Hill University. Additionally, Derek has obtained various certifications in digital marketing, including Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, and Google Data Studio. Derek also holds a ServSafe Food Handler certification and a Certified Food Service Professional Level 1 certification from the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM).