Meet Derek Cummings
With over 15 years of digital marketing experience rooted in SEO and a deep love for software, Derek leads Coalmarch's skunkworks program—our R&D lab for marketing innovation. Since joining in 2021, he's journeyed from SEO Manager to SEO Team Lead, and now drives product-side innovation by testing emerging technologies and running rapid experiments. His mission? Fail fast, learn what doesn't work, or discover breakthrough solutions worth scaling. His background as a small-business owner and Marine veteran fuels his relentless problem-solving approach and out-of-the-box thinking.
Derek thrives on transforming cutting-edge tech into practical client solutions. As Coalmarch's resident "Maverick," he bridges the gap between experimentation and execution, ensuring we innovate quickly without disrupting the roadmap. He's been featured on the PMP Industry Insiders Podcast discussing Search Everywhere Optimization and is an active contributor to the blog.
Outside work, Derek travels to tropical beaches with his wife, daughter, and two live-in Filipino in-laws. He's known for his love of crystals, incense, skunks (cats?), bananas, and the occasional video game session—though rarely all at once.
Don't take yourself too seriously...
It's helped me bounce back from mistakes faster, ask 'dumb' questions that actually needed asking, and build better relationships with teammates who know I don't mind laughing at myself.
I've learned to lean into thinking differently from others. Sometimes it means I initially miss the obvious solution everyone else sees, but it's become my superpower for solving problems holistically—I spot connections and angles others don't.
I'm the resident New England Patriots fan—grew up in the area, so I've been through the dynasty years and now the rebuilding phase. Keeps me humble.
AI search, agentic booking, and mobile-first behavior are reshaping how homeowners find and hire pest control and lawn care services. This year, it's primarily about building your brand, making it accessible to AI, and meeting customers where they are.
