This is cool. Retired Admiral Eric Olson and former SOCOM commander has gone ‘full contractor’, and has joined up with MEP and Iridium Communications. It must be nice to feel ‘wanted’? lol
Also congrats to MEP. They have definitely collected some heavy hitters for their Board of Advisors. Last year I posted that MEP picked up Dr. David Kilcullen to their Board of Advisors, and that was a very impressive addition to the team. Now with Olson joining, we will see what they do with all of this talent? –Matt
Mission Essential Personnel Adds Former SOCOM Commander Admiral Eric Olson To Board of Advisors
10/24/2011
Chantilly, VA – Mission Essential Personnel, LLC (MEP) today announced that Adm. Eric T. Olson, who recently retired as Commander, US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), has joined its Board of Advisors. Olson was the first SEAL to command USSOCOM and will share his unique global perspective with MEP leadership as the company continues to expand its current services and create new offerings to government, commercial, and multi-national customers.
“I am honored that Adm. Olson has joined our Board of Advisors,” said MEP CEO Chris Taylor. “He has dedicated his life to the security of the United States, ensuring that all people have the opportunity to live freer, safer, and more prosperous lives. His incomparable knowledge of global affairs will help MEP better understand the interdependencies of a complex world and drive our growth strategy toward creating shared value and solving seemingly intractable problems.”
“I have developed a deep appreciation for Chris Taylor’s vision and approach. The services that MEP provides are important to our government, our forces, and our international partners,” said Olson. “I look forward to helping Chris and his great MEP team expand and enhance their strategic contributions.”
Olson graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1973 and qualified as a SEAL officer in 1974. He was both the first three-star and the first four-star SEAL. Until his recent retirement, he was the “Bull Frog”: the longest-serving SEAL on active duty. In addition to USSOCOM, he commanded Naval Special Warfare Development Group and Naval Special Warfare Command. His overseas assignments include service as a United Nations military observer in Israel and Egypt, and as Navy Programs officer in Tunisia. He served on the Navy staff as assistant deputy chief of Naval Operations (Plans, Policy, and Operations) and as Chief of Staff at the Joint Special Operations Command. Olson was awarded the Silver Star for his actions in the battle of Mogadishu in 1993. He earned a master’s degree in National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and studied at the Defense Language Institute.
Press release here.
—————————————————————-Iridium Communications Appoints Admiral (Ret.) Eric T. Olson to Board of Directors
December 6, 2011
Iridium Communications Inc. today announced that it has expanded its board of directors from ten members to eleven members and appointed Admiral (Ret.) Eric T. Olson as a new director. Admiral Olson brings nearly forty years of broad leadership, management and military operations experience to Iridium.
Most recently, he was the commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command (“USSOCOM”), responsible for the readiness of joint special operations missions worldwide. Prior to that, he led operational units within every component of the Naval Special Warfare community and served in senior positions within USSOCOM and the U.S.