About Me
I'm Derek Neighbors, a serial entrepreneur and technology leader pursuing arete (excellence) in all dimensions of life. For 30+ years, I've been building teams, companies, and communities while exploring the ancient Greek philosophy that excellence isn't perfection, it's the relentless pursuit of becoming the best you can be at what you do.
My passion is helping people unlock their inner creator and live for what they were designed to do. I believe in the philosophy of eudaimonia, human flourishing that comes from aligning your actions with your deepest values and pursuing meaningful work. The more impossible something seems or I'm told it can't be done, the more interested I am in trying to do it. I'm passionate about trail running and ultra running, there's something about the discipline, endurance, and mental fortitude required that mirrors the pursuit of excellence in all areas of life.
I have been happily married to a gorgeous woman for over three decades and am blessed to watch my three adult children, all married now, chart their own courses. My four grandkids are my everything, they remind me daily of what truly matters in life. I have a heart for education and believe that our educational system is broken and in need of an overhaul, which is why I'm working with StrongMind to actively transform education through AI and innovative homeschooling solutions. I'm drawn to architecture and art, anything created with excellence and intention. There's beauty in watching people pursue their craft with arete, whether it's a perfectly designed building or a piece of art that moves the soul. I believe in focusing on what I can control, accepting what I cannot, and having the wisdom to know the difference. Life is too short to dwell in the past when there's so much excellence yet to be pursued.
I split my time between Phoenix, AZ, Nashville, TN and Encinitas, CA.
The best way to get my attention is to invite me out for a trail run or join me in the gym for a workout session. You can reach out through my contact page.
BIO
Derek Neighbors is a serial entrepreneur who helps people bring ideas to reality through the pursuit of excellence. He co-founded Gangplank in 2008, a collaborative workspace, movement, and early stage incubator that embodied the philosophy of arete. The movement created an economy of innovation where people could pursue their craft with boldness, learning, and authentic community. He helps companies build high-performing teams that embody these same principles of arete, not just achieving results, but pursuing excellence in how they achieve them. He is a seasoned software executive at startups like Tanga, Openforce, BodyBuilding.com and StrongMind. He is an angel investor and troublemaker of the world who believes that excellence is the only way to create meaningful change. He has served as President of multiple non-profits and sits on many local economic development boards and committees.
What People Are Saying
"Derek Neighbors is the best thing that has happened to Arizona entrepreneurship in a long time. By co-founding Gangplank, he has enable the entrepreneurial community in Arizona to have a space for co-working, thought leadership, and collaborative development. He incubates small software companies, and provides resources to their founders. He's a one man economic development machine for the community, and after all my years of work on behalf of Arizona entrepreneurs I'm proud to be associated with his vision. I share it."
"Derek's work with Gangplank has been instrumental in transforming the Arizona tech and creative industries. He has experimented, sacrificed, and worked his butt off to create an environment where startups and small businesses can truly thrive, accomplishing in mere months what many have waited on established institutions for years to do. He may not be a local celebrity yet, but he's a pillar of Arizona's future economic growth, and a force to be reckoned with."
"Derek understands the networked world we live in, both electronically and socially. His visionary leadership, tireless evangelism and passionate management at Gangplank have played a large role in creating an open environment of collaboration, innovation and success."