Speakers O

Derrick Olsen is the Vice President of Regional Strategy & Coordination at Greater Portland Inc.  Derrick leads the region’s implementation of the Greater Portland Export Initiative, the annual update to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), and provides coordination and project management services to the region’s economic development community.

Previously, Derrick managed international trade and investment issues for over four years with Business Oregon (Oregon Business Development Department).  Derrick also has over 13 years of experience managing political and economic issues as a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Department of State in Latin America, Asia, and Washington, DC.  He served as Committee Administrator for the House Education Committee in the Oregon State Legislature during the 2007 legislative session.
Most recently as Global Investment Strategist, Derrick worked closely with Business Oregon’s foreign trade and investment representatives in Greater China, Japan, Korea, and the European Union to attract foreign direct investment into Oregon.  Previously, Derrick served as International Trade Manager and led International Trade Officers in Oregon and foreign representative offices in assisting small and medium Oregon businesses and industries to expand their exports of goods and services.  Derrick has served as Vice Chair of Study Oregon, a collaborative effort of Oregon colleges and universities to market Oregon as a destination for international students.  He currently serves on the International Air Service Executive Committee, which is tasked with establishing and maintaining nonstop international air service between Portland International Airport and Europe and Asia.
Derrick graduated from Tigard High School, has a Bachelor of Arts in Government and History from Dartmouth College, and a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.