Derby named Cummings Family Professor of the Practice in Entrepreneurship

On February 12, 2018, Jack Derby was appointed the Cummings Family Professor of the Practice in Entrepreneurship. He was also named Director of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Studies Program.

Since 2006, Derby has been a professor of the practice in entrepreneurial marketing and in sales at Tufts Gordon Institute. He is president and founder of Derby Management, which provides strategic planning, sales, and marketing optimization services to emerging and middle market companies.

Prior to forming Derby Management, Derby served as CEO of Mayer Electronics Corporation, president of CB Sports, president of Litton Industries Medical Systems, CEO of Datamedix Corporation, and president of Becton Dickinson Medical Systems. He is currently an active board member and venture investor in companies that include the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Aviant Hospice, Brainshark Corporation, Chase Corporation, Loci Controls, Rome Snowboards, and Reiser Inc.

The Cummings Family Professorship in Entrepreneurship (originally named the Cummings Family Chair in Entrepreneurship and Business Economics) was created by William S. and Joyce Cummings in 1998 to support the study of entrepreneurship at Tufts University. As Tufts Gordon Institute developed its strong program in entrepreneurship studies, the professorship moved to the School of Engineering in 2018.

William Cummings, A58, H06, J97P, M97P, is the chairman and CEO of Cummings Properties and a trustee emeritus of Tufts University. He and Joyce Cummings, J97P, M97P, established the Cummings Foundation—now one of the largest foundations in New England—in 1986.