DEREK BARKA
MEET DEREK
PARTNER, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
As Chief Technology Officer at SilverTech, Derek defines and drives the agency’s technology vision—helping clients harness data, digital platforms, and emerging technologies to solve complex business challenges and build meaningful, lasting customer relationships.
Known for finding solutions to the toughest and most complicated technology challenges, Derek combines innovation with deep expertise across enterprise architecture, cloud infrastructure, custom development, and big data. He brings a security-first mindset and a sharp focus on privacy and compliance, enabling organizations to build secure, scalable, and future-ready digital ecosystems.
Derek serves as a strategic adviser to both SilverTech’s technology partners and clients. He works closely with platform providers—often consulting on product roadmaps—to ensure solutions align with real-world business needs and deliver maximum value. He also helps client organizations develop and execute digital roadmaps that make the most of their existing systems and data, integrating legacy technologies with modern platforms where and when it makes sense to drive growth, stay competitive, and support long-term success.
Throughout his career, Derek has played a key role in shaping the tools and platforms that power modern digital marketing. He is a recognized authority and thought leader in the martech space—recently named a Kentico MVP and Progress Sitefinity Champion. Derek holds numerous certifications, including Kentico Developer, Kentico Marketer, Sitefinity Developer, and Sitecore Developer.
SilverTech Honored with Silver Davey Award for Port Canaveral’s Transformative Website Redesign
11/17/25
Bedford, N.H. — November 17, 2025 — SilverTech, a leading national digital experience agency, has been awarded a Silver Davey Award for its exceptional website redesign for the Canaveral Port Authority (Port Canaveral). The honor recognizes SilverTech’s excellence in digital craftsmanship, user experience innovation, and strategic storytelling for one of the world’s most dynamic cruise and cargo ports.
Elevating the Digital Gateway to a Global Port
Port Canaveral, one of the world’s busiest cruise and cargo ports located in Florida, partnered with SilverTech to reimagine its digital presence as a modern, high-performing gateway that reflects the Port’s global stature and diverse audiences. The redesign focused on improving user accessibility, streamlining content for diverse audiences (cruise passengers, cargo clients, local stakeholders), and aligning the site’s architecture with the Port’s strategic growth ambitions.
“We are honored to be recognized by the Davey Awards for a project that embodies the intersection of design excellence, data intelligence, and purposeful storytelling. This recognition reflects the collaborative spirit between our teams and our shared commitment to delivering digital experiences that truly move people and business forward,” Jeff McPherson, Chief Growth Officer at SilverTech.
Why the Award Matters
The Davey Awards is an international awards program honoring outstanding marketing and creative work from the best small agencies, firms, and creators around the world. Judged by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA), the competition celebrates the power of creativity executed with agility and sophistication. Earning a Silver Award in the Websites category positions SilverTech among the top echelon of agencies delivering enterprise-grade digital innovation. SilverTech’s redesign of Port Canaveral’s site joins an elite set of projects recognized for design excellence, usability, and measurable impact.
Highlights of the Project
1. A unified content management platform to allow Port staff rapid updates, better SEO, and improved mobile-friendliness.
2. A refreshed visual system that reflects Port Canaveral’s brand as a global gateway and vibrant local asset.
3. Enhanced navigation and search to serve distinct audiences: cruise travelers planning their visit, cargo clients reviewing logistics services, and local community members seeking information.
4. Performance metrics post-launch showed increased user engagement, reduced bounce rates, and enhanced content accessibility for multiple user segments.
The result is a website that is as functional as it is visually compelling while optimized for engagement, scalability, and long-term growth.
