Jed Drexler -- Overland Backfill
Providing just-in-time support for urgent but understaffed overlanding projects
Update: I am now booking projects for Q1 and Q2 2025.
Summary -- I am the founder of Overland Backfill. I provide just-in-time support for urgent but understaffed overlanding projects. I have over a dozen years of experience off-roading, overlanding, camping and backcountry cooking. I fully support and adhere to the principles of Tread Lightly and Leave No Trace. I am particularly known for my strong work ethic, my teamwork, being handy with tools, and being very responsible and safety-minded both on the trail and in the shop.
Overlanding Professional Experience
Consultant/ FounderOverland Backfill2018 to present San Francisco Bay Area
Need an experienced resource for a short-term project (two days, two weeks, two months) at an overlanding-based business (whether a start-up or an established company)? Need a smart extra pair of hands in the field, at your office, in your shop, at a trade show or overlanding event? Need a sounding board/ thought partner for business development? I am available to help you at a very reasonable cost. Willing to travel, of course.
Recent and current projects include: Helped the founder of an overlanding guide service staff a booth at an adventure travel exposition in Albuquerque, NM. Helped the founder of a wilderness cooking start-up with filming episodes in the San Francisco Bay area for a new overlanding social media channel. Researched and prepared a whitepaper on minimizing impact of off-road travel (title: “Take The High Road To Low Impact”). Helped the author of an overlanding cookbook staff a booth at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, AZ. Currently researching and documenting procedures for ensuring the safety of clients and guides on a multi-day traverse (title: “The Mechanics of Overlanding – Reliability Over Capability''). Particular interest and expertise in overland expedition cooking. For example, in the past several years, I have spent over 45 days in the field in the Southwest cooking all meals for professionally guided overlanding trips.
In addition to over a dozen years of experience off-roading, overlanding, camping and backcountry cooking, I have also accumulated quite a bit of experience with overlanding equipment-related installations, modifications, upgrades, preventative maintenance, and repairs. For example, I have spec’d-out and built-out two rigs of my own (FJ Cruiser, 5th Gen 4Runner), including suspension, winch, wiring and electronics, cabinets and storage, camp kitchen, and rooftop tent. Plus, I’ve helped friends and club members with their rigs.
Additional Professional Experience
EXP-4WD Training Certificate, New Mexico Black Range (January 2020) Comprehensive field training includes: Expedition/Overlanding Overview; Vehicle Dynamics and Operation (off-pavement application specific); Vehicle Care and Preservation; Traversing Challenging Terrain/Conditions; Basic Field Vehicle Repair and Issue Resolution; Vehicle Recovery & Lifting. Overlanding Internship, New Mexico Black Range (January 2019 -- October 2022) NMBR is the Southwest's premier provider of overland-based guiding, scouting, tours, skills training and photography services. I was very fortunate to have been selected by the company’s founder to be NMBR’s first intern. Internship projects included field work, research, interviews and writing assignments and required twelve months of effort over several years to plan, complete and document. Silicon Valley companies. In addition to my overlanding experience, I have four-plus years of corporate professional experience with Silicon Valley companies in support roles including Customer Service, Marketing, IT, and Facilities responsibilities. I have also successfully completed several internships and mentorships with senior business leaders.
Contact Information
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/jeddrexler/Mobile 408-966-4938Email john.drexler.fifth@gmail.comHome base San Francisco Bay Area Website www.overlandbackfill.com Please feel free to reach out to discuss how I might assist you and your overlanding business. Thank you!
Overlanding Professional Experience
Consultant/ FounderOverland Backfill2018 to present San Francisco Bay Area
Need an experienced resource for a short-term project (two days, two weeks, two months) at an overlanding-based business (whether a start-up or an established company)? Need a smart extra pair of hands in the field, at your office, in your shop, at a trade show or overlanding event? Need a sounding board/ thought partner for business development? I am available to help you at a very reasonable cost. Willing to travel, of course.
Recent and current projects include: Helped the founder of an overlanding guide service staff a booth at an adventure travel exposition in Albuquerque, NM. Helped the founder of a wilderness cooking start-up with filming episodes in the San Francisco Bay area for a new overlanding social media channel. Researched and prepared a whitepaper on minimizing impact of off-road travel (title: “Take The High Road To Low Impact”). Helped the author of an overlanding cookbook staff a booth at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, AZ. Currently researching and documenting procedures for ensuring the safety of clients and guides on a multi-day traverse (title: “The Mechanics of Overlanding – Reliability Over Capability''). Particular interest and expertise in overland expedition cooking. For example, in the past several years, I have spent over 45 days in the field in the Southwest cooking all meals for professionally guided overlanding trips.
In addition to over a dozen years of experience off-roading, overlanding, camping and backcountry cooking, I have also accumulated quite a bit of experience with overlanding equipment-related installations, modifications, upgrades, preventative maintenance, and repairs. For example, I have spec’d-out and built-out two rigs of my own (FJ Cruiser, 5th Gen 4Runner), including suspension, winch, wiring and electronics, cabinets and storage, camp kitchen, and rooftop tent. Plus, I’ve helped friends and club members with their rigs.
Additional Professional Experience
EXP-4WD Training Certificate, New Mexico Black Range (January 2020) Comprehensive field training includes: Expedition/Overlanding Overview; Vehicle Dynamics and Operation (off-pavement application specific); Vehicle Care and Preservation; Traversing Challenging Terrain/Conditions; Basic Field Vehicle Repair and Issue Resolution; Vehicle Recovery & Lifting. Overlanding Internship, New Mexico Black Range (January 2019 -- October 2022) NMBR is the Southwest's premier provider of overland-based guiding, scouting, tours, skills training and photography services. I was very fortunate to have been selected by the company’s founder to be NMBR’s first intern. Internship projects included field work, research, interviews and writing assignments and required twelve months of effort over several years to plan, complete and document. Silicon Valley companies. In addition to my overlanding experience, I have four-plus years of corporate professional experience with Silicon Valley companies in support roles including Customer Service, Marketing, IT, and Facilities responsibilities. I have also successfully completed several internships and mentorships with senior business leaders.
Contact Information
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/jeddrexler/Mobile 408-966-4938Email john.drexler.fifth@gmail.comHome base San Francisco Bay Area Website www.overlandbackfill.com Please feel free to reach out to discuss how I might assist you and your overlanding business. Thank you!
