Meet Derek LaClair, the driving force behind EMPEQ’s operations as its co-founder and COO. Derek’s journey is defined by a passion for innovation and a deep-rooted commitment to advancing process efficiency and financial innovation across diverse sectors.

With a robust background in operations and finance, Derek has orchestrated over $35 million in energy efficiency project financing, evaluating more than 250 projects across the Northeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions. His strategic acumen and leadership were instrumental in securing significant contracts and grants, including lucrative deals with the U.S. Air Force; all told Derek’s direct efforts have generated over $1 million in grants and nearly $1.5 million in revenues for EMPEQ.

Derek’s career spans pivotal roles at M&T Bank and ASI Energy, where he honed his expertise in strategic planning and financial management. Notably, at ASI Energy, he was the sole financial evaluator certified by Energize New York for combined heat and power (CHP) projects in commercial real estate, assessing over $500 million in energy-efficient initiatives across diverse sectors like mixed-use buildings, health clubs, and universities.

His tenure at M&T Bank saw him driving financial planning and analysis for a $350 million retail credit card portfolio, leveraging advanced modeling techniques to enhance investment decision-making. Additionally, His astute marketing insights and strategic planning drove double-digit percentage year-over-year increases in customers for M&T Bank’s retail credit card product, solidifying its market position and enhancing customer acquisition efforts.

Armed with an MBA in Managerial and Real Estate Finance from Cornell University, Derek’s credentials are complemented by his heritage as a member of the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Upper Mohawk) Nation of Indians, grounding his work with a deep cultural and personal perspective. Formative experiences on his family farm on the Six Nations Indian Reservation shaped Derek’s desire to leave the world better than he found it, instilling in him a deep commitment to sustainability and community stewardship.

Derek’s unique blend of financial expertise, strategic vision, and cultural insight positions him perfectly to lead EMPEQ’s operations and support the company’s mission to revolutionize B2B SaaS. His ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and his track record of driving tangible results make him the ideal steward for leveraging AI to identify and deliver actionable insights on equipment and parts. Derek’s leadership ensures EMPEQ remains at the forefront of innovation, empowering businesses to optimize efficiency and sustainability seamlessly.