Infrastructure Built to Connect the Midwest

Founding Grand Central Ventures LLC in 2017, he offered strategic consultancy to middle-market firms. Previously, Derrick dedicated 31 years to CSX Transportation, overseeing 55+ bulk rail transfer terminals, directing industrial development, and managing international sales. He also held multiple Vice President roles within CSX, spanning finance to sales and marketing. Derrick’s academic credentials include a Civil Engineering and Public Policy degree from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Additionally, he completed an advanced program at Harvard Business School. Beyond his corporate journey, Derrick has been active in nonprofit sectors, notably mentoring for the Jacksonville chapter of SCORE and ascending to Chapter Chairperson in 2021. Derrick’s blend of leadership and expertise ensures consistent business growth and development.

With a vision to enhance connectivity across the Southwest US, he established American Dark Fiber, a company dedicated to offering dark fiber solutions to cities, carriers, data centers, and high-capacity bandwidth users. Beyond public market solutions, the firm caters to content developers, financial networks, healthcare systems, and other sophisticated private network users. Dave also leads Broadband Asset Strategies, a consultancy aiding municipalities and institutions in harnessing high-speed network capabilities. His entrepreneurial spirit is evident in his previous ventures: he co-founded the CA-based CLEC Wilcon, which was acquired by Crown Castle for $600 million in 2017, and FTI, a rapidly growing CLEC in California, acquired by Pamlico Capital. Dave’s journey began in corporate sales at Motorola and Sprint in the 1980s, laying a foundation for his subsequent executive roles at Cogent Communications, PathNet Telecom, and West Coast Radio Communications.

His vast experience encompasses site selection, acquisition, investment, operation, construction, and development of data centers and related digital infrastructure. Before AVAIO, Laurance served as a Principal/Director at Microsoft Corporation, where he executed over $6 billion in hyperscale data center leases globally. He also played pivotal roles in government data center leasing and global Edge Data Center leasing. Earlier, as President of Comdesco Group, Inc. Laurance was integral in securing major clients such as Google Fiber and AT&T. He also led Corporate Site Selectors, Inc., overseeing the acquisition of substantial office and industrial properties worldwide. As a co-founder of Aggregate Networks in 2001, he championed broadband networks for underserved areas. An alumnus of the University of Iowa, Laurance also holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Minnesota School of Law, specializing in International, Real Estate, and Contract Law.