Andrew (Drew) Conrad
Executive Director - Business & Community Services
Director - Institute for Decision Making (IDM)
BCS 113HH
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Andrew (Drew) Conrad
Executive Director - Business & Community Services
Director - Institute for Decision Making (IDM)
Drew Conrad brings over three decades of experience in statewide economic development planning, research and technical assistance to his Director role with the Institute for Decision Making (IDM), where he facilitates strategic planning and regional economic research for communities and economic development organizations. Drew also serves as the Executive Director of Business and Community Services (BCS), the economic and community development division for UNI with 12 outreach programs meeting the needs of businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities throughout Iowa and beyond. Conrad is active in various professional and community organizations and volunteer activities. He currently sits on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Information Advisory Council, the UNI Master of Public Policy Advisory Board, the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness Board of Directors and the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute (EDI) Board of Directors. Drew is also a faculty instructor for the Economic Development Institute.
When Conrad works with students on projects, he provides them with useful, practical experiences that will help them with career development.
Hobbies & Interests
In his free time, Conrad enjoys reading, sports, Panther athletics and traveling. He’s also passionate about sampling different craft beers and ice cream.
B.A. (American History/Pre-Law) and Masters in Public Policy (MPP)
Graduate of the Economic Development Institute (EDI) at the University of Oklahoma
Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) – International Economic Development Council
Certified Economic Research Professional (CERP) - Council for Community and Economic Research
Economic Gardening Professional Certification - Market Research - EGc(MR) - National Center for Economic Gardening
Prior to becoming Executive Director of BCS and the IDM Director, Drew was IDM’s Senior Program Manager and Special Projects Manager for UNI’s Business and Community Services. Drew has also served as interim Director for Federal Relations for UNI. 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 assisted with Board issues, applied research and employee enhancement projects.
Drew is active in various professional and community organizations and volunteer activities. For over a decade, he represented the Board of Regents on the Iowa Workforce Development Board. He is a past chair of the UNI Alumni Association Board of Directors, a past chair for the Council for Community and Economic Research, a past president of the Professional Developers of Iowa and past board chair for the Leadership Iowa Board of Governors. He is the 2024 recipient of the UNI President’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award. 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.