VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, July 22, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Phillip Roger Olson Sr. has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Having accrued more than three decades of dedicated service to his country and demonstrated excellence in operational engineering, RADM Olson retired from his career as a United States Navy officer in 1996. After securing a Navy ROTC scholarship to attend the University of California Los Angeles, his NROTC instructor suggested that he apply for the United States Naval Academy. Securing acceptance, RADM Olson graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Naval Science and entered the United States Navy as a commissioned Ensign.
In 1968, RADM Olson completed a Master of Science in physics through the Naval Postgraduate School. He became an instructor for the Ship Material Readiness Group at Idaho Falls in 1978, serving until 1981, whereupon he was appointed as the commanding officer of the USS Pharris. He would complete one tour on the USS Pharris before his appointment as the commanding officer of the USS Mississippi in 1983, where he would remain until 1986. RADM Olson recalls his time in Command of both vessels as a highlight of his career marked by the extreme professionalism of the crews aboard both ships during the height of Cold War tensions during the 1980s. He was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island, in late 1986, where he resumed service as the Senior Instructor for the Ship Material Readiness Group.
RADM Olson had advanced through the grades to the rank of a Rear Admiral by 1987, and was named as a Deputy Director of Operations on the Joint Staff in Washington, DC rising to become the Deputy Director of Strategy and Policy in 1988. From 1989 until 1990, he was the Commander of Logistics Group Two in Norfolk, Virginia, and then Commander of Cruiser-Destroyer Group One (CDG-1) in San Diego, California, from 1990 until 1992. During this time CDG-1 was converted to the Ranger Carrier Battle Group. He was then appointed as the President of the Board of Inspection and Survey Washington, DC in 1992. The Board was then moved to Norfolk, VA where he would remain until his retirement in 1996. RADM Olson is certified in Navy Surface Nuclear Operations, and notably had a supervisory role in the USS Enterprise's first two nuclear refueling operations, among other responsibilities.
Following his retirement, RADM Olson transitioned into curriculum development and instruction for the Navy Maintenance University, where he would remain through 2011. Additionally, he served as a Board Director of BMT Designers and Planners from 2008 until 2018. In 2009 he started serving as a volunteer on the Board of the Chartway Federal Credit Union Support Organization (CUSO) and since 2013, he has served as the Chairman of the CUSO Board. He was a founding member of the Military Economic Development Advisory Committee for the city of Virginia Beach, VA in 2006. The Committee was formed to ensure seamless relationships between City Management and the Military Facilities in the City. He has been Chairman of the Committee since 2018. Currently, RADM Olson is the Executive Director of the Phoenix Group of Virginia, a veteran-owned engineering services firm.
Well regarded for his many contributions to military service, RADM Olson has been extensively decorated throughout his naval career. To wit, he was bestowed with a Distinguished Service Medal. He is a member of the Navy League and the Surface Navy Association, and looks forward to further enjoying his retirement with his family, especially his grandson, Nathan.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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