Derek A. Walters is the Communications Manager at the EERC, where he is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of all public relations and marketing activities. This includes local, regional, and national media relations; managing the EERC's public Web site (www.undeerc.org); and creating and maintaining all marketing materials, including news releases/publications, brochures, fact sheets, print and Web advertising, and displays. Mr. Walters develops marketing plans, organizes press conferences, and develops advertising campaigns. He also manages all EERC event marketing, including coordinating and attending national exhibit shows and arranging all media relations, advertising, and promotions for EERC-organized conferences and other events. He schedules and leads all general tour groups and arranges local speaking engagements for EERC senior management. Mr. Walters received his bachelor's degree in Communications with an emphasis on Broadcast Journalism from the University of North Dakota in 1999. He spent several years as a news photographer, reporter, and anchor for Fargo-based KXJB-TV CBS 4. He also worked in marketing for the Grand Forks Air Force Base. Mr. Walters is actively involved in the community and has served as Board Chair of the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks United Way.