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Derek E. Faison
Derek E. Faison is the founder and former president/CEO of Faison Office Products Company (FOPC), a full-service office products supplier in Denver, Colorado. Since 1981, FOPC has provided office solutions to both commercial and government accounts nationwide, including six of Colorado’s 10 largest employers.
Faison was responsible for all business operations; he directed an executive team and more than 160 employees; and he managed inventories in excess of $1 million.
In 1996, Faison created a strategic joint venture relationship with Corporate Express that significantly increased revenues across America. In 2001, he negotiated and consummated the company’s sale to Corporate Express.
Prior to founding FOPC, Faison spent 10 years as an executive with IBM Corporation. He was an account manager, marketing manager and a product planning manager for the first product ever acquired by IBM.
In addition, Faison was managing partner for Kids Nite Out Across America, a Friday- night activity program designed to keep kids safe and off the streets. He also has served as business development and venture funding manager for E Smart Services, a Denver-based technology firm.
Faison received a B.S. in business administration and marketing from the University of Colorado in Boulder. He also attended Small Business Management School at the University of Wisconsin and earned a small business consultant accreditation from the Institute for Independent Business.
Faison has received several awards for his work in business and in the community. He was the first African American to win the Distinguished Business Leader Award from the University of Colorado. Faison also won the Martin Luther King Jr. Social Responsibility Award; the National Supplier of the Year Award by the National Minority Supplier Development Council; an Outstanding Performance Award from the Tennessee Valley Authority; a Community Service Award from Montbello High School; an Award of Excellence from the Small Business Administration; the Image Award from the State of Tennessee; a Vendor Excellence Award from Eastman Kodak; Large Business Supplier of the Year Award from Minority Enterprises, Inc.; and Outstanding Minority Supplier of the Year Award from Coors Brewing Company.
Faison is on the University of Colorado Business School Dean’s Advisory Board, and has been guest lecturer to the school’s MBA candidates and to students at the University of Wisconsin’s Small Business Management School. He was the treasurer for Citizens For a New Stadium, and he created the Mile High United Way’s D.I.G. (Diversity In Giving) Campaign. He also is a member of the University of Colorado Foundation, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Volunteers of America, Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce, Denver Broncos Active Roster Group, National Office Products Association, Aurora Chamber of Commerce, University of Colorado Athletic Mentoring and Big Brothers.
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