Occupation: Retired
Occupational Background: Chemical Engineer (Retired) U.S. Bureau of Mines, at Albany Research Center – 1966 to 1996
Educational Background:
- BA Physics Pacific Lutheran University -1959
- Ph.D. Chemical Engineering Oregon State University – 1966
Prior Governmental Experience:
- Elected Albany City Council Ward I -1972
- Reelected Albany City Council Ward I – 1976
- Elected Albany Mayor – 1978
- Elected Albany City Council Ward I – 1998
- Reelected Albany City Council Ward I – 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014
Home: 732 Broadalbin St. (I’m the third owner since 1888)
Family: Kids – Joel, Jerry and Rachel
When things need doing, Olsen gets after them:
- Monteith downtown neighborhood re-zoned from an apartment house to single-family zoning. – 1971
- Downtown Carnegie Library (built 1914) kept open. – 1973
- Historic Monteith House (Albany’s first house built in 1849) City bought, preserved and restored. – 1974
- Prevented Urban Renewal, designed to demolish downtown neighborhoods and the business district. – 1979
- Ambulance service returned to its rightful place in the City of Albany Fire Department. – 1979
- Amtrak trains stop again at Albany station. – 1979
- Three downtown historic districts formed. – 1980
- Central School (built 1915) kept from demolition. See Saving Central School. – 1980
- Carnegie Library again kept open and the Carnegie endowment fund and committee initiated. – 1990
- Swanson Pool rebuilt and reopened as Cool Water Park. – 2005
- Central school again saved from demolition and strengthened seismically. – 2005
- New Fire Station 11 opened. – 2018
- Historic Carousel opened and operating. – 2018
These accomplishments have helped keep Albany the unique, enjoyable place it is today.