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Meet Ryan Derrer, Illinois’ New Regional Sales Manager

Monday, May 5, 2025

Amwood is excited to welcome Ryan Derrer as our new Regional Sales Manager for Illinois. With a wealth of experience in both commercial and residential construction, Ryan brings a deep understanding of the building industry and a forward-thinking mindset that’s a perfect fit for Amwood’s panelized construction model.

A Strong Foundation in Construction
Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in education studies, a background that has served him well in teaching and coaching within the construction field. Over the past 20 years, he’s worked in nearly every phase of the building process, from site prep to the final cabinet knob installation. His primary expertise lies in foundations and framing, and he has spent two decades as both a builder and a salesperson for ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) products.

Why Amwood?
When asked what drew him to Amwood, Ryan cited the shifting dynamics of the construction industry. “The days of a skilled craftsman doing the entire process are gone,” he explained. “We’re seeing more specialization in every part of the building process, yet fewer people are pursuing those specialized trades.”

Ryan recognized the growing demand for off-site shell construction as an innovative and efficient solution to these challenges. “The concept of designing, selling, and executing components of a build, without relying on on-site labor, is very appealing to me,” he said. “The future of construction is off-site, and Amwood is leading the charge.”

Dream Home Must-Haves
When imagining his dream home, Ryan doesn’t point to a single feature, but rather a philosophy: “Creativity and making every step and every room matter.” He values efficiency both in performance and in the building process, and his ideal home would be expertly engineered with high-performing, long-lasting materials.

Rooted in the Midwest
Originally from a dairy farm in northwest Illinois, Ryan has called the Midwest home his entire life. He lived in Sterling, IL, for many years before settling in the Quad Cities, where he has lived for the past five years.

Family and Everyday Life
Ryan and his wife Callista have been married for 21 years and have three children. Their oldest daughter, Mylanah, is pursuing a pharmacy degree at the University of Iowa. Their son, Landen, plays football at Iowa Western, and their youngest, Ellah, is committed to playing volleyball at Kansas State University.

His daily routine starts early with reading, writing, and hitting the gym before 7 a.m., followed by calls and emails, and then time on job sites from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Beyond the Job
Outside of work, Ryan enjoys buying and fixing up homes, a hobby that aligns perfectly with his passion for building. He also has a love for reading, writing, and continuous learning. Formerly active as a youth sports coach while his kids were growing up, Ryan cherished the opportunity to give back and channel his energy into something meaningful beyond the construction world.

Why Amwood Stands Out
What excites Ryan most about working at Amwood? “The people, and the speed and efficiency of off-site construction,” he says. It’s a natural fit for someone who thrives on performance and innovation.

A Fun Fact
One thing you might not know about Ryan? He loves to write and dreams of publishing a book one day.

Here at Amwood, we look forward to seeing Ryan shine in his new role here. Want to get to know Ryan more? Give him a call at 815-590-2753 or email at Ry********@am*********.com.