## Meet Derrick Bell: Our New Dallas Scheduling Supervisor
We're excited to welcome **Derrick Bell** to the Tangram family as our newest Scheduling Supervisor in Dallas. With extensive experience in the commercial furniture industry and a personality that brings both professionalism and warmth to every project, Derrick is already making his mark on our team.
### From Michigan to Texas: A Journey in Commercial Design
Derrick's path to Tangram began in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he built his expertise in the office furniture industry. Most recently, he served as an Installation Foreman contractor at **Custer Inc**, a well-established Steelcase dealership. This hands-on experience in installation and project coordination gives him invaluable insight into the practical challenges that commercial design teams face daily.
Now calling Irving, Texas home, Derrick brings that Midwest work ethic to our Dallas operations, where attention to detail and reliable execution are paramount.
### The Morning Advantage
Ask Derrick about productivity, and he'll tell you he's a morning person through and through. *"Like a marathon, I prefer to start out strong then set my pace for the rest of the race,"* he explains. *"I tackle challenges early so I don't get surprised later with lengthy, unwanted energy drains."*
This approach serves him well in scheduling supervision, where anticipating potential roadblocks and addressing them proactively can make the difference between a smooth installation and a stressful scramble.
### Beyond the Office
When he's not coordinating schedules and managing installations, Derrick enjoys weekend adventures with his wife—though he admits with a laugh that she usually picks the activities. He's also got some serious music credentials: his first concert was **Fresh Fest 2** in 1984, where he saw Run-DMC, Fat Boys, and Whodini live. Not many people in commercial design can claim they witnessed hip-hop history in the making.
### What Derrick Brings to Tangram
Derrick's colleagues consistently describe him as nice, cool, and fun—qualities that translate into strong working relationships and smoother project execution. But beyond personality, he's focused on bringing three key elements to his role:
- **Knowledge**: Drawing from years of installation experience to inform better scheduling decisions - **Trustworthiness**: Building reliable partnerships with both internal teams and external vendors - **Consistency**: Maintaining a positive attitude through both successful projects and challenging deadlines
### Looking Forward
As Derrick settles into his new role, he's focused on getting to know the team and mastering the unique aspects of Tangram's operations. His combination of technical expertise and relationship-building skills positions him well to help our Dallas team continue delivering exceptional results for clients.
*"I'm looking forward to enjoying our professional path together while learning as much as possible,"* Derrick says. *"I hope to bring knowledge, trustworthiness, and a smile through the good days and the difficult days."*
Welcome to the team, Derrick. We're excited to see what we'll accomplish together.
