Eric T. Olson retired from the United States Navy in 2011 after more than 38 years of military service. He served in special operations units throughout his career.

Admiral Olson’s career culminated as the head of the United States Special Operations Command, where he was responsible for the mission readiness and worldwide deployment of all Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps special operations forces.

Admiral Olson now supports a wide range of private and public sector organizations. Among his current endeavors, he is an Adjunct Professor in the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, a Director of Iridium Communications, Inc. and Under Armour, Inc., a senior advisor to the Department of Homeland Security, and a Director of the non-profit Special Operations Warrior Foundation and the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum.

He and his wife, Marilyn, have two grown children. Admiral Olson is currently a member of the Spirit of America advisory board.