Know More About Derrick
Derrick A. Adams, AIA, NCARB
Derrick Adams is the CEO and founding principal of the ADG and has over 30 years of experience in architecture, facilities, and related fields. His portfolio covers a wide range of projects and building types, including educational, commercial, corporate, faith-based, recreational, and community-oriented projects.
After working for 20 years in the industry, Derrick started the ADG in 2010 during one of the worst economic recessions in recent history. He opened our company by formulating an untraditional practice using remote working and telecommuting staff. Using technology and other web-based communication tools, collaboration, and team building with other industry partners, Derrick was able to start, maintain, and grow the firm through the recession until today.
He participates in every aspect of the business and process of architecture, from business development and marketing to operations, design, and construction detailing and administration. He is the lead designer and director of the firm’s strategy, corporate direction, and architectural design. As lead designer, he relies on his creativity and design savvy, which has earned him four award-winning projects.
After working for 20 years in the industry, Derrick started the ADG in 2010 during one of the worst economic recessions in recent history. He opened our company by formulating an untraditional practice using remote working and telecommuting staff. Using technology and other web-based communication tools, collaboration, and team building with other industry partners, Derrick was able to start, maintain, and grow the firm through the recession until today.
He participates in every aspect of the business and process of architecture, from business development and marketing to operations, design, and construction detailing and administration. He is the lead designer and director of the firm’s strategy, corporate direction, and architectural design. As lead designer, he relies on his creativity and design savvy, which has earned him four award-winning projects.
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In 2013, he received the prestigious Top 100 MBE Award from the Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development of the City of Baltimore.
Derrick is a cum laude graduate with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Howard University School of Architecture and Design and studied facilities management in the Facilities Management Certificate Program at George Washington University.
Since his graduation, Derrick has been a devoted and active community servant, working as a mentor to underserved youth in Baltimore; a lecturer and presenter for the Baltimore Architecture Foundation; a charter member of the Black Professional Men of Baltimore; a board member of Christmas in April; appointed commissioner on the Governor’s Maryland Greenways Commission; a member of the Board of Directors for Medstar Union Memorial Hospital, the Harry and Jenette Weinberg YMCA of Central Maryland, and the Babe Ruth and Sports Legends Museum; a selected member of the 2015 LEADERship program of the Greater Baltimore Committee; a guest speaker at the Morgan State University School of Architecture; and an active member of his church.
To maintain balance in his life, Derrick enjoys attending arts, cultural, and live music venues. As a former high school and college athlete, he enjoys attending amateur, college, and professional sporting events. In his spare time, Derrick is an elite girl’s travel softball coach, where he teaches young girls life lessons through softball in preparation for life as a collegiate student-athlete and good citizen.
Derrick is a cum laude graduate with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Howard University School of Architecture and Design and studied facilities management in the Facilities Management Certificate Program at George Washington University.
Since his graduation, Derrick has been a devoted and active community servant, working as a mentor to underserved youth in Baltimore; a lecturer and presenter for the Baltimore Architecture Foundation; a charter member of the Black Professional Men of Baltimore; a board member of Christmas in April; appointed commissioner on the Governor’s Maryland Greenways Commission; a member of the Board of Directors for Medstar Union Memorial Hospital, the Harry and Jenette Weinberg YMCA of Central Maryland, and the Babe Ruth and Sports Legends Museum; a selected member of the 2015 LEADERship program of the Greater Baltimore Committee; a guest speaker at the Morgan State University School of Architecture; and an active member of his church.
To maintain balance in his life, Derrick enjoys attending arts, cultural, and live music venues. As a former high school and college athlete, he enjoys attending amateur, college, and professional sporting events. In his spare time, Derrick is an elite girl’s travel softball coach, where he teaches young girls life lessons through softball in preparation for life as a collegiate student-athlete and good citizen.