Photo By Michael Smith | This graphic was created to accompany a feature article on Derrick Hu, director of the...... read more read more
In the historic U.S.O. building in Ridgecrest, California, where the past seems to resonate, a man unplugs his guitar and steps off stage with a quiet nod. Few people know that he used to tour with a military rock band. Now, he's working behind the scenes to shape the future of small defense contractors, helping them earn a seat at the table to support the warfighter.
That’s how Derrick Hu likes it.
A former U.S. Air Force sergeant turned procurement strategist, Hu now leads the Office of Small Business Programs at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. He has built a 35-year federal career, including nearly five years in the Air Force, 15 in procurement, and 15 as a small business advocate. Through it all, he’s still doing what he’s always done best: helping others get their shot.
Hu left the flightline and the stage behind but never stopped serving. Today, his mission is building opportunity through federal contracting.
Since stepping into small business advocacy, Hu has connected small businesses to national defense, showing that the American Dream is more than an idea. It's a commitment worth honoring.
In the 1980s, Airman Hu worked as a logistics specialist stationed in Utah, inventorying toolboxes and managing flightline supplies. After hours, he picked up a guitar and started teaching himself how to play. What began as a way to pass the time quickly became something more.
“I didn’t drink or party like the others,” Hu said. “Music gave me focus. Then, one day, I auditioned for this MWR-funded band and was touring bases, playing rock shows across the country. That changed everything.”
When his enlistment ended, Hu followed his fretboard to Hollywood.
Hu was accepted at the Musicians Institute in California and immersed himself in theory and performance. During a workshop session, he even got to perform with musicians who had toured with Prince. He later found himself on stage at the Sundance Film Festival and South by Southwest, continuing to chase his passion before shifting gears.
But playing for a crowd is one thing. Making a living from it is another.
“I was turned off by the music industry,” Hu said. “A lot of musicians had to pay to play, and I didn’t want to live on Top Ramen just trying to get by. Eventually, I knew I needed a real career. So I pivoted, went back to school and got serious about business.”
In the early 1990s, he started at Santa Monica College, then transferred and completed his accounting degree at CSU Bakersfield. It was a flyer from the Navy Acquisition Intern Program that opened the next door. After a strong interview, Hu began day one of his 30 years at NAWCWD.
Sandy Scharn-Stevens, NAWCWD deputy director for procurement, still remembers the day she hired him.
“That was one of my best decisions,” Scharn-Stevens said. “I’ve watched Derrick grow into an impressive professional who earns trust across technical teams and the small business community alike.”
Hu began managing procurement contracts and learning what it meant to serve the Fleet from a desk instead of a hangar.
Today, Hu is right where he wants to be, advocating for small business as part of the most meaningful work of his career. To him, his job is simple: make sure small businesses have a fair shot to support the warfighter.
In practice, that means reviewing market research, challenging assumptions, and sometimes convincing reluctant teams to think beyond the usual prime contract partners. These large companies typically hold the main contract and may subcontract portions of the work to smaller firms.
Set-asides are federal contracts reserved specifically for small businesses. When Hu pushes for one, he advocates for reserving the opportunity for smaller companies. This gives them a fair chance to compete without going head-to-head against large prime contractors.
“I fight for fairness," Hu said. "If I find two small businesses that can do the work, I push for a set-aside. But they have to earn it."
And time and again, they continue to earn it.
Over the years, Hu earned the trust of the people who write the contracts and those who define the need. His goal was to prove the Office of Small Business Programs adds value to NAWCWD acquisitions. He wanted teams to knock on his door, not avoid it. Today, many do. They often seek his input early to explore small business solutions.
That shift in mindset has led to real results. During Hu’s time leading the Office of Small Business Programs, NAWCWD awarded a $350 million Weapons Systems Integrated Support Services contract as a small business set-aside.
He also advocated for an $80 million engineering support contract for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, a rare move that sent a powerful message. It’s a contract that holds great significance for Hu.
“It used to go to a large prime contractor. But we did the research, we built the case, and leadership took the leap,” Hu said. “Now those veterans are proving every day that they belong.”
For Hu, the mission is personal.
At 16, Hu had to stop playing football and work to help support his family. His father owned a service station in Honolulu, working 15-hour days before losing the business in 1981.
“I know what it means to struggle. I know what it means to bet everything on your business,” Hu said. “So, when I talk to these owners, I get it. That’s why I cheer for them.”
It’s a perspective that shapes his work and his belief that small businesses are the backbone of our economy.
“When we help them succeed, we’re strengthening the nation in more ways than one,” Hu added.
Ask Hu about small business success, and he won’t miss a beat. He’ll name the companies, the contracts, and the founders who built something big from almost nothing.
“I’ve seen people start with a dream and grow into something incredible,” Hu said. “I don’t just work with small business. I believe in it.”
In a world of contracts and metrics, Hu chooses to build relationships. That’s why his work often starts with a conversation. He hosts capability briefings, counsels business owners – many of whom are veterans - and walks them through federal acquisition step-by-step.
“You can’t just hand them a checklist and walk away,” Hu said. “Sometimes it’s their first shot. They’ve got grit and vision, but they need help cutting through the red tape.”
One of his favorite moments came when a two-person veteran-owned startup secured a subcontract on a weapons support contract. Years later, they’re now a prime contractor employing dozens of engineers and support staff.
“That’s the dream,” Hu said. “They were small. Hungry. Ready. And they delivered.”
Looking ahead, Hu is now sharing his expertise and knowledge with the next generation of acquisition professionals at NAWCWD.
"We owe it to our Sailors and Marines to provide the best solution for our warfighters," Hu said. "That means finding the smartest partners and tapping into the kind of innovation that small businesses bring to the table."
These days, Hu plays guitar mostly at open mic nights. He no longer tours, but the rhythm of his life remains the same: build connections, amplify talent, and stay in tune with the people who make things happen.
When asked what he loves most about his job, Hu doesn’t hesitate.
“Four things,” he said. “Military, small business, helping people, and cheering for success. That’s it. That’s the American Dream. It’s why I love our country.”
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2025 16:38 |
| Story ID: | 494422 |
| Location: | CHINA LAKE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | HONOLULU, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 135 |
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This work, Still in Tune with the American Dream: Derrick Hu’s 35 Years of Federal Service, by Michael Smith and Ryan Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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