Joe DeRing – Founder and General Manager
Born in Middletown, Joe attended Xavier High School. In 1996, Joe entered the University of Delaware where he played Division I-AA football, earned a Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship, mentored local youth in the Blue Hen Mentorship Program, and served as an academic counselor for undergraduates.
In 2000, Joe graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and was commissioned into the U.S. Army as an Infantry Officer with the rank of second lieutenant. As a lieutenant, Joe led platoons of up to 60 men in combat operations. These operations included the attack on Baghdad in March 2003 and the capture of high value targets. For his efforts and the success of his teams throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2004, Joe was presented the Bronze Star.
Following his release from active duty, Joe was hired at his alma mater, Xavier High School, as an emergency fill in January 2005. The following school year, Joe was promoted to Dean of Students.
Joe was called back to active duty to support Operation Enduring Freedom in September 2006. He was sent to Afghanistan to lead a group of 20 “Effects Targeting,” and his group was charged with developing methods to influence the battlefield using information operations, public relations, and humanitarian assistance. For his leadership of the “Effects Working Group,” Joe received the Army’s Meritorious Service Medal.
Joe, a former Captain and Army Ranger, returned home in 2007 and has been pursuing the EMPOWER Leadership Sports & Adventure Center ever since.
