John E. Drew

John E. Drew, Vice Chair-Treasurer, Chairman, World Trade Center Boston

John Drew is founder and President of The Drew Company, a Boston-based real estate management and development company that is internationally known for its innovative real estate projects. John Drew serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Seaport Companies, which includes the World Trade Center Boston and Seaport Hotel, and is Chairman of Trade Center Management Associates, which manages the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. Mr. Drew has served on the Board of the World Trade Centers Association since 1990 and is Vice Chairman and of the Association. He also serves as Chairman of the WTCA Facilities Committee.

As developer and President of the World Trade Center Boston and Seaport Hotel, John Drew is a pioneer in the development of Boston’s revitalized Seaport District. Since its opening in 1986, the World Trade Center Boston has become one of the premier facilities for conferences and exhibitions in New England. Mr. Drew led the development of a three-building, 1.75 million s.f. expansion of the World Trade Center complex that included hotel, offices, retail and parking facilities. The 426-room Seaport Hotel opened in 1998, World Trade Center East opened in 2000, and World Trade Center West opened in 2002. In addition, Mr. Drew’s company is co-developer of Waterside Place, a 1.2 million s.f., mixed-used project to be located adjacent to the World Trade Center.

Mr. Drew’s second major trade center project is the International Trade Center in Washington, D.C., which opened in 1998. The International Trade Center, located at the Ronald Reagan Building, is the US government’s most prominent site for trade promotion. In addition, the ITC’s conference center has become the premier forum in Washington D.C. for international meetings and major special events.

The Drew Company’s development portfolio includes the Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts, Bayside Exposition Center and Constitution Plaza in Boston. The firm also provides asset management services, as well as development advisory services to businesses in the U.S. and abroad.

Prior to founding his firm, Mr. Drew served as Director of Federal Relations for the City of Boston. During that time, he was responsible for the creation of the “Boston Plan,” a redevelopment plan for the city. In recognition of this achievement, the Boston Jaycees named him one of its “Ten Outstanding Young Leaders.”

Mr. Drew received his undergraduate degree from Stonehill College, a master’s degree from Boston University, and is one of the region’s top authorities on public-private partnerships and development. His civic commitments include Chairman Emeritus for Caritas Christi Health Care System in Boston, and Chairman of “A Better City” (an organization of business leaders working to ensure Boston’s future competitive advantage).

Mr. Drew serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Boston History Collaborative, The Boston Public Library Foundation, Stonehill College and was appointed Honorary Consulate of Monaco - Boston. He also served as Chairman of the Boston 2000 Commission, having been appointed by the Mayor of Boston.

Mr. Drew’s impact on tourism, hospitality and development in the Boston area has won him numerous awards and distinctions. He has received an honorary degree from Newbury College and a lifetime achievement award from the Boston Jaycees. He was presented with the “Distinguished Individual” award from the Massachusetts Hospitality Association, was honored as one of the “Top 125 Leaders Making a Difference in Boston,” from Banker and Tradesman, and was honored by NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Properties) in 2002 as “Developer of the Year.” Under his leadership, Seaport Companies was recently named “The Best Place to Work in Massachusetts” by the Boston Business Journal.