Inside View: Drew Johnson, Oppidan Investment

Developer at Oppidan Investment Co.

Drew Johnson, 35, has joined Minnetonka-based Oppidan Investment Co. as a developer tasked with pursuing and finalizing multifamily and commercial real estate development deals.

Johnson was drawn to Oppidan because of its work in the Twin Cities and around the country, but specifically, its development activity in North Dakota's oil-rich Bakken region.

"We're approaching $150 million of completed development in the Bakken with at least the same amount on the planning side for 2015, 2016 and beyond," Johnson said.

Since it was founded in 1991, Oppidan has developed more than 300 projects in 27 states worth nearly $1.78 billion.

Johnson, a Minneapolis native, previously had stints at CSM Corp. and United Properties.

Q: Why join Oppidan?

Q: What's the Bakken like?

A: I lived in Alaska for two summers in college working for a construction company, and it reminded me of that. The majority of the vehicles on the road were dusty trucks. It just sort of has that energy of a lot of things happening.

Q: What are you working on?

A: Energy company RFPs [requests for proposals] in the Bakken area. For example, a national energy company just issued an RFP that we — through our reputation out there and the fact that we've done a good job so far — were included in the invited applicants. They have probably $8 million to $10 million of housing needs.

Q: So housing and retail are in short supply?

Q: Oppidan has been selling some of its Bakken developments.

A: Yes. When the project is complete and stabilized, we sell to institutional investors. It's 'find it, build it, stabilize it, sell it, move on.'

Q: What do you hope to accomplish your first year?

A: Line up at least one piece of new business coming in and hit the ground running on helping them execute and deliver the business leads they already have.