Drew is strategically located in our Bismarck office to assist the western portion of the state and have access to our state’s government. He grew up raising beef cattle, where he experienced his first foray into the international market by assisting in importing cattle from Europe and Africa. In addition to his experience in agriculture, Drew has well over two decades of international and domestic experience in energy, defense, and government contracting. He has lived and worked in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Prior to his involvement with the North Dakota Trade Office, he worked at the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands as the Director of Minerals Management, where he assisted in managing 2.6 million acres, most of which is within the hydrocarbon-rich Williston Basin. Drew has a bachelor’s degree in history and political science with an emphasis in international relations from West Texas A&M and a master’s degree in energy business from the University of Tulsa and is currently working on his Ph.D. in International Relations. Additionally, Drew serves as Canada’s Honorary Consul in North Dakota.
As a certified meeting professional (CMP), Lindsey directs the logistics for trade missions and reverse missions, educational seminars, the Global Business Connections Conference, the Big Iron International Visitors Program and NDTO’s many other events and programs. Previously, Lindsey worked as a communications specialist for Microsoft Corporation. Highly skilled at computer design and an award-winning photographer, Lindsey manages marketing for NDTO as well as maintains the NDTO website. Lindsey is a graduate of the Mass Communications department at Minnesota State University, Moorhead and has over 15 years of marketing and event planning experience.
Jiwon overseas international business development for North Dakota companies with emerging or existing business interests in global markets. He is responsible for providing a comprehensive range of export assistance services, including conducting research on foreign markets, analyzing export data, identifying potential markets and clients abroad, promoting products through trade missions and foreign market sales trips, conducting export education seminars, and establishing connections with trade service providers and export resources in both private and public sectors. Jiwon also manages various activities and programs offered by NDTO to support international business growth of North Dakota companies. Prior to joining the Trade Office, Jiwon held roles as a financial consultant and market analyst for international companies, gaining valuable experience in global business operations. He holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, Opus College of Business in Minneapolis, (demonstrating his commitment to continuous professional development,) and a bachelor's degree in architectural engineering from Myoung Ji University in Yong-In, South Korea.
Tyla grew up in a small town just outside of Fargo, ND. She is a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Writing Studies. Proficient in the areas of web communications and marketing strategy, she has years of experience in organized content creation. Before NDTO, Tyla worked for the Kansas City-based cybersecurity firm Aspis Consulting and University Marketing and Public Relations (UMPR) at UMD.