Derek Cluse

Derek Cluse, CPA, currently serves as Chief Financial Officer at NOPEC since June 2025 and has been the President of Cluse Development, LLC since 2005. Previous positions include Chief Financial Officer and Chief of Staff at Step Forward (2020-2025), and Chief Financial Officer at the Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland (2020-2022). Derek also held the role of Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (2018-2020) and Chief Operating Officer for the Hudson City School District (2009-2018). Other notable roles include Business Manager at Ashland City Schools (2007-2009), and Chief Financial Officer positions at Payne Theological Seminary and The Institute of Management and Resources, Inc. Derek began a career in finance with the role of Vice President of Finance for Cleveland Professional Hockey (1998-1999) and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College at Baton Rouge from 1984 to 1988.