Prior to becoming IDM Director, Drew was IDM’s Senior Program Manager and Special Projects Manager for UNI’s Business and Community Services. Drew previously served as Marketing Manager for the Industrial Site Location Program (ISLP) at the University of Northern Iowa, where he provided technical assistance to communities and was responsible for marketing and providing information about the ISLP to business clients, community groups, economic development groups, the general public, and local, state and federal government officials.

Prior to joining the University, Drew served in the Scott County Office of County of Administrator where he provided assistance with assisted with Board issues, applied research and employee enhancement projects.

Drew is active in various professional and community organizations and volunteer activities. Drew currently sits on the US Department of Labor’s Workforce Information Advisory Council, serves on the faculty for the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute (EDI), is a member of the EDI Board of Directors and a member of the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness Board of Directors. Drew is a Past-President of Professional Developers of Iowa, a Past Chair of the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), a former member of the Iowa State Workforce Development Board, a Past Chair of the UNI Alumni Association Board, and a Past Chair of the Leadership Iowa Board of Governors. He has held board positions with the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Black Hawk Leadership, Waterloo Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation and is a past President of the Waterloo Jaycees, a past Co-Chair of the Waterloo Jaycees Greater Waterloo Open Golf Classic and past Chair of the Waterloo Fireworks Festival. Drew is a 2005-06 graduate of Leadership Iowa, the 2020 Leadership for Iowa Award recipient and the 2024 recipient of the UNI President’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award.