Derek J. Taylor

Derek Taylor grew up in East Texas, after which he attended SMU in Dallas, Texas, earning a BBA in Finance and BA in Philosophy in 2006, and a Juris Doctorate degree in 2009. After spending the first five years of his legal career working in large law firms in Dallas, Derek moved to Wisconsin in late 2013. He practiced law there at two large national law firms, including as an equity partner at an Am Law 70 firm representing financial institutions, real estate developers, private operating companies, and general and limited investors in significant, complex transactional matters across the U.S.

In 2022, Derek transitioned to the business side, building and leading the day-to-day operations as COO of a large multi-state private equity real estate development and investment firm developing $200MM+ annually primarily focused on the multifamily, senior living, and industrial sectors. Simultaneously, he also helped bring together an independent sponsor private equity investment firm focused on lower middle market manufacturing and industrial operating companies, including acquiring a $40MM+ revenue company in 2024.

Derek also acts as the owner-operating partner and visionary for a manufacturing company which has become a national brand in the outdoor cooking and living category.

Derek and his wife, Laura, and their two children, are active in their community and church, including with Derek serving as a Trustee in the Village where they live. He is also a former Chapter President of NAIOP Wisconsin, including being recognized in 2024 as Chapter President of the Year among the many North American chapters in the same year the Wisconsin chapter won Chapter of the Year for all chapters.

Derek brings unique skillsets from the legal, private equity, real estate, and owner-operator experiences together with Granite Harbor's established and growing investment advisory practice to better serve our clients and investors.