Derrick Thompson

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Council Member Derrick Thompson was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was a 1979 graduate of West Philadelphia High School. Upon graduation, he attended Michigan State University, then joined the U.S. Army in 1983. After serving 21 years of honorable and faithful service in the Quartermaster Field, Thompson retired in 2004 from Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

In late 2003, Thompson relocated with his family to Fayetteville and continued his public service, serving 15 years as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service (USPS). From 2004 to 2012, Thompson officiated local football games at both the high school and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) levels. After his dual retirement, he decided to continue his public service by serving on the Fayetteville City Council, first elected in 2022.

Thompson’s first public service experience began when he was approximately eight years of age in Philadelphia. His elementary school was directly across the street from his home where each school day Thompson and other children had to walk across a busy street. Due to the absence of a traffic light, crossing guard or other control measures for speeding and reckless drivers, children were often the victims of close calls and hit and runs. Thompson and his neighbors decided to take matters into their own hands and challenge the city by protesting their failure to install a traffic light. After the community participated in sit-down protests, the City of Philadelphia installed a traffic light in front of the school. That initial eye-awakening experience as a child has continued throughout Thompson’s life. He is a firm believer in fighting for what is right and wants to continue that legacy by representing the residents of District 6.

In addition to serving on City Council, Thompson is currently in his second 3-year term as Homeowner’s Association (HOA) president to one of the largest residential communities in the city and serves as a board member for Gateway Landing, a Leland, North Carolina-based non-profit organization that provides a 12-month faith based, Christ centered, residential program designed to reach out to men who desire to recover from life controlling issues such as drug and alcohol abuse and addiction. He is also the City of Fayetteville’s ambassador to the National Psoriasis Foundation, which supports communities by providing education about psoriasis, funding new research and advocating for access to care for those who suffer with this autoimmune disease. Thompson also serves as president of the Jimmy Juniors Bowling Program, which helps youth get off the streets and into programs that teach respect, accountability, and sportsmanship.

Derrick and his wife Francine have been married for 37 years and have two children (Vanessa and Derrick Jr.) and two grandchildren (Eloise and Emerie). They are current members of Simon Temple AME Zion Church, where Thompson serves on the church’s Steward Board, as a class leader, and the greeter and culinary staffs for events and outreach.

Thompson, a humble public servant at heart, thanks the residents of District 6 for providing him the opportunity to serve as your council member.