Encore Electric is thrilled to announce that Derek Varnell was recently promoted to lead the Wyoming and Northern Colorado Business Unit, where he will be responsible for all business operations and projects. He will oversee a team of 150 industry professionals, including craftspeople, service technicians and field support staff dedicated to executing projects of all sizes, from large, high-end commercial and manufacturing builds to mission-critical data centers, hospitals and schools.
A 17-year industry veteran, Varnell has a natural talent for building, having discovered a passion for construction after first considering a career in electrical engineering. He began his career at Encore Electric as an intern while completing a degree in construction management at Colorado State University, and soon became a project engineer. As one of the company’s newest business unit leaders, he will leverage a long track record in project management and team leadership to structure and manage construction teams for peak performance.
Varnell is proud to have had a part in managing the construction of many of the Rocky Mountain region’s most iconic buildings. He has led teams to help expand Colorado State University, the University of Colorado, schools in the Adams and Poudre Valley school districts, as well as a significant remote project in Washington State. While he enjoys the opportunity to help change the face of educational campuses, Varnell’s favorite projects are data centers because they are highly technical electrical systems.
The son of an Army officer, Varnell spent much of his early life living and traveling in locations around the world. Born in Wiesbaden, Germany and the holder of dual U.S. and German citizenship, he lived in the eastern United States before moving to Colorado.
Varnell and his wife live in Fort Collins and have three grown sons.
About Encore Electric: Founded in 2003, Encore Electric, Inc. was established to serve clients in the Rocky Mountain West to address complex and technical projects for developers and top consumer brands with electrical construction, technology solutions and maintenance services. Recognized for safety, design and quality by industry organizations and customers, Encore credits the talent and work ethic of its more than 800 team members. Encore Electric is a privately held, employee-owned company based in Lakewood, Colorado. For more information, visit .