“ Jenny has been on an amazing path and proven herself capable at many things in life . She has a way of bringing people together , in all circumstances , that is really kind of magical .”
Mark Derry , Jenny ’ s Husband out well and I had learned a lot . When I asked Mark if he thought someone would pay me to be a construction manager , he said ‘ Maybe , but don ’ t quit your day job yet !’”
Four days later , Derry had launched her own design-build firm , Jenny Derry Design , and landed her first client . That was in 2005 , and within three years it had become a full-time business . She cut her teeth on home remodels , a yoga studio and even a professional-scale motorcycle repair garage .
Derry ’ s work with the County had given her a comfort level with largescale projects , and she found herself transitioning smoothly from early projects such as the St . Josephs Family Center ( waiting room ) to the remodel of Morgan Hill ’ s popular Ladera Grill , and on to work for the GUSD as one of its Construction Project Managers in November 2013 .
Her first role with the school district was as Construction Project Manager for the $ 5.3 million Don Christopher Sports Complex at Gilroy ’ s Christopher High School . She paid tribute to her construction project co-manager , Mike Rice , and to GUSD Facilities Director James Bombaci , who became her mentors .
The Sports Complex was a highprofile project with an aggressive timeline . The Gilroy Foundation managed funds donated by Don and Karen Christopher for the construction of the Sports Complex . The Foundation ’ s Executive Director Donna Pray met regularly with Derry to review the project and disburse funds .
“ Some people thought there was no
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G I L R O Y T O D A Y W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 way the Sports Complex would be ready in October for the high school ’ s opening football game ,” Pray said . “ But it ’ s what Don wanted and Jenny made it happen .”
Granite Rock was a key contractor for the Sports Complex . One of the company ’ s project managers , Spencer Wright , worked with Derry during the construction . He commended her for being “ the glue that held the project together ” and said it was rare to see an owner ’ s rep who cares so much about a project and all the stakeholders .
According to the Christophers , when unexpected problems arose , Derry handled them with professionalism and skill , keeping a close watch on costs and “ doing the impossible ” to make sure the Sports Complex was ready for the opening game in September of 2014 .
Just a month later , she was immersed in the Glen View Elementary school renovation , a $ 6 million project funded by Measure P .
“ There were a lot of unknowns because the school was built back in 1958 ,” Derry said . “ We didn ’ t know what we would find . As it turns out , we ’ re replacing about 30 percent of the structures . It is exciting for the teachers and administrative staff , some of whom have been there for 30 years , to see the campus being modernized .”
According to Gilroy Unified School District Superintendent Debbie Flores , “ Jenny has done a phenomenal job on both the Sports Complex and the Glen View School remodel , which was one of the most challenging projects we have ever done . Everyone involved has had nothing but rave reviews for her work .”
“ With each job , I find myself thinking this is the right job , right now ,” Derry said . “ I ’ ve been very lucky . Each step I take seems to build on the one before ; not so much a push , but definitely a stretch . I like new challenges . It ’ s what keeps me excited about my career .”
Derry has been acknowledged as a results-oriented manager in the hard hat world of construction , but she has a soft heart when it comes to her family .
When she married Mark he had three daughters who were 3 , 6 and 10 years old . Today , the couple ’ s youngest daughter Mariah is a senior at Oregon State . Middle daughter Cayla is pursuing a nursing career in Nashville . Eldest daughter Shannon is a sheriff and lives in Gilroy with her husband Steven and their three children . Derry also stays in close touch with her two sisters and their families .
“ We love to have the family together ,” Derry said . “ The grandkids call me Gigi , which works for me . Mark and I like to hike and work out together . We also love to cook , travel and throw parties .”
“ I may be the master of the barbecue ,” Mark added , “ but Jenny is master of the kitchen .” He said the couple ’ s artichoke cioppino recipe made the first cut at the Gilroy Garlic Festival one year , which is no easy feat , and Jenny contributed a popular weekly cooking column to the Dispatch that ran for ten years .
The way her husband Mark sees it , “ Jenny has been on an amazing path and proven herself capable at many things in life . She has a way of bringing people together , in all circumstances , that is really kind of magical .”