Robert Alan Olson
Robert A. Olson | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 10, 1938 Oakland, California |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley, University of Oregon |
| Known for | First Executive Director of the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, Seismic risk reduction policy |
| Spouse | Natalie Elizabeth Franks |
| Parent(s) | Dorothy Evelyn Juergens, Reynold Frederick Olson |
| Relatives | Richard S. Olson |
| Awards | Alfred E. Alquist Special Recognition Medal (Previously called the EERI Special Recognition Award) |
Robert A. Olson (born 1938) is an American applied political scientist and a leader in establishing and implementing public policies for the reduction of earthquake risk. Early in his career, Olson worked as a regional representative for the U.S. Office of Emergency Preparedness, followed by serving as assistant director of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the San Francisco Bay Area. When the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (SSC) was formed in 1975, Olson was appointed as the first executive director. As SSC executive director from 1975 to 1982, he was instrumental in authoring and advocating for important legislation such as the Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act and Dam Failure Inundation Mapping Act. After leaving the SSC, Olson established Robert Olson Associates, which provided services to public, private, and nonprofit clients on a wide range of planning, risk reduction, and business recovery projects. Olson has conducted post-earthquake investigations and consulted for government agencies following numerous major earthquakes, and has authored or co-authored over 40 articles and publications related to earthquake safety.