FORT LAUDERDALE — Derek Koger, Executive Director of Tribal Community Development (TCD), is the 2024 CEO Council Leadership Award recipient as presented by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance.

Koger was recognized during the Alliance’s annual dinner Oct. 24 at the newly renovated War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The recognition highlights Koger’s time and effort with various tribal and Alliance initiatives. It also celebrates his positive impact within the Tribe and outside of it.

Koger said there are some larger companies represented in the Alliance, and he was “humbled and wow-ed” to represent the tribe and to be acknowledged for his hard work and leadership alongside them.

“It was a truly humbling experience,” Koger said. “I think what it really means is that all the work that we do here for the tribe is being noticed by companies and organizations outside is just a true testament to all the work that’s been done here. For me, it represents all the work of the TCD employees … Those guys are amazing.”

He currently oversees Construction, Planning & Development, Real Estate, Transportation, Public Works, and Housing departments within TCD.

“I’m just appreciative of the opportunities to serve on the Greater Fort CEO Council and represent The Seminole Tribe,” Koger said. “So, special thank you to my bosses – the Tribal Council – and the members of the tribe for allowing me to serve in this capacity. Being with the tribe for 18 years just shows that this is a great place to be, and I love every day that I come to work.”

In addition to Koger, others honored by the Alliance with leadership awards were Bryce Hollweg, Florida Panthers (Governor Council); Jonathan Wolfe, AutoNation (Leadership Council); Mark Binko, National Jets (Corporate Council); Basil Bernard, Apricot Office Interiors (Entrepreneurship Council); and Anita Fain Taylor, City of Miramar (Partner Council).

The Alliance, which is Broward County’s official public/private partnership for economic development, said the recipients were recognized for having “gone above and beyond in their work in the community helping to grow jobs and strengthen the economy.”