Derek James:
CLASS OF 1997
Providence High SchoolClass of 1997
Charlotte, NC
St. Mary's University - Graduate SchoolClass of 2006
San antonio, TX
Webster UniversityClass of 2004
St. louis, MO
University of North Carolina - Political Science Class of 2000
Chapel hill, NC
South Charlotte Middle SchoolClass of 1994
Charlotte, NC
Derek's Story
Life
Now a married Air Force intelligence officer living in Spokane, WA.
I grew up in Charlotte and met my future wife in the 8th grade. We began dating the summer after 11th grade. We both went off to UNC-Chapel Hill after high school, where we went potluck on dorms yet were placed in the same one, a floor apart. We stayed there all four years, with me majoring in history and political science, and she in journalism and Spanish.
We got married soon after graduation, with a large wedding in Charlotte and a great honeymoon in the St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. A few weeks later, as we had planned, I joined the Air Force and began Officer Training School.
After those three months, we moved to San Angelo, Texas, where I was stationed at Goodfellow AFB to go through nearly a year of intel school. While we lived there, Melissa worked as a copy editor for the local newspaper.
In 2002 we moved to Spokane, WA, for a stint at Fairchild AFB. We bought our first house in a nice spot between the base and downtown, where Melissa now works as a writer and editor for a jewelry supplies company.
Since we moved here, I earned an M...Expand for more
BA from Webster University, and will complete an additional master's in international relations in May 2006, this one from St. Mary's.
I've been on a very interesting array of deployments since I've been at Fairchild, which have included the Middle East (hot!) and a former Soviet republic (freezing!). I received an achievement medal for my first deployment, where I provided intelligence support for more than 750 air refueling missions. Although the deployments have been a great experience, Melissa and I are now looking forward to our next assignment, a job that will keep me stateside more often, so we can start a family.
In my spare time I enjoy keeping up with Carolina basketball, reading online news, playing with our two Siamese cats, Jack and Mia, getting together with other couples we know, and serving as an usher during services at our Presbyterian church.
College
In December 2000, I received a BA in political science and history from UNC-Chapel Hill.
In May 2004, I received an MBA from Webster University.
In May 2006, I'm set to receive a second master's, in international relations, from St. Mary's University.
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Photos
