MEET THE TEAM

On behalf of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, The Webster Group has been hired to arrange and manage the logistics and technical program of this event.  The following members of The Webster Group team will be supporting this effort.


Wendy Drake

Wendy Drake is the President and CEO of The Webster Group. She brings to her role more than 20 years’ experience working in fundraising, event management and production with government agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations.  Ms. Drake oversees more than 30 events each year, which have ranged in size from 10 to 43,000 participants. These events include trade missions, multi-day conferences and conventions, dedication and commissioning ceremonies, galas and concerts. She has worked with the U.S. Departments of State, Transportation, and Homeland Security; the U.S. Agency for International Development; the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; the U.S. Coast Guard, the USTDA, and numerous non-profits and corporations. She has worked with her team to complete USTDA trade missions, workshops, and conferences.



Phil Hargis, CMP, CGMP

Phil Hargis is the Vice President of Global Events with The Webster Group. He has over 25 years of experience in managing multiple programs and contracts of all sizes for a variety of clients. His event and project management portfolio of experience includes: United States Trade and Development Agency, Association of Public Health Laboratories, Department of State, Missile Defense Agency, Washington Headquarters Services, Department of the Navy, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Mr. Hargis has led all aspects of the USTDA Reverse Trade Missions (RTM), Workshops and Conferences for the past eight years.  He has managed or been involved planning over 50 USTDA events during this time.



Julia Bushman

Julia Bushman is an experienced event planning professional through internships and a new full-time position at the Webster Group. She is a recent college graduate from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in communication. She possess a solid educational background in communication and public relations, which has equipped her with a deep understanding of how to best assist clients with their goals for different events. She is a collaborative and adaptable team player and thrive in fast-paced environments. She adepts at building strong relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and clients.




Bryan Erwin 

Bryan Erwin is the Founder and Managing Partner of BlueWave Merchant Partners. He synthesizes and coordinates US Government trade assets to facilitate accelerated growth for US exporters. He was selected by President Obama in 2010 to run the Trade Advocacy Center, the nexus of senior official, US Government advocacy on behalf of US exporters. While Director, Mr. Erwin advanced US commercial interests by leading 177 successful campaigns resulting in $199.7B in new business for US companies supporting 1 million US jobs. These were the best four years the Advocacy Center had in its 22 year existence. This was accomplished, in part, by executing a comprehensive new business strategy resulting in an increased case-load of 165%. This was the largest client roster in Advocacy Center history. Prior to that, Mr. Erwin worked for 8 years as a Vice President in the Investment Management Division at The Goldman Sachs Group. For the better part of the 1990's he was an aide to Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD.) Mr. Erwin hails from the North Fork of Long Island and is the current Chairman of the Long Island State Park Commission. He and his wife, Danielle, are raising two daughters and a stuffed lemur, Coco.




Stephanie Wilson

Stephanie Wilson is an International Trade Specialist with BlueWave Merchant Partners. Her duties include client support, presentation management, internal client controls, and market research. She has been with BlueWave since June 2020, starting as an intern and then transitioned to her current position in January of 2021. Prior, Ms. Wilson worked for The University of Toledo and Lucas County Board of Elections. She graduated in December 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts and Letters in Political Science with concentrations in Pre-Law and Legal Studies with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies.






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