Admiral, US Navy (Ret.)
Admiral Eric Thor Olson, a Navy SEAL officer, retired from military service in 2011. His career culminated as the head of the United States Special Operations Command, where he was responsible for the mission readiness and global deployment of more than 65,000 Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations forces, and for managing an annual budget in excess of $10 billion dollars.
Admiral Olson served in special operations units throughout his career, was engaged in several contingency operations and commanded at every level. He was highly decorated for both service and valor, and was selected as a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Naval Academy and the Naval Postgraduate School.
He currently serves as a Director or Advisor for several public and private companies and non-profit organizations, and as an adjunct faculty member at an Ivy League university.
He is married with two grown children.