Michael Olson, Treasurer, (LTC, ARNG, RET.)
Mike is a career banker, currently serving as vice president at Lincoln Savings Bank in Grinnell, Iowa. He has served the banking industry nationally with past service on the American Bankers Association's Government Relations Council and Compliance Administrative Committee and current service representing Iowa on ABA's Banker Advocacy and Grassroots Committee. He is also a Congressional Contact Banker for the Iowa Bankers Association, advocating for the banking industry in Washington DC. He is an honor graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In 2009, Mike received a Congressional nomination for an appointment by the Treasury Department to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee to the United States Mint. In that capacity, he advised the Secretary of the Treasury on themes and designs of nearly 200 coins and Congressional Gold Medals. He first proposed the 2019 Apollo 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin program while a member of the CCAC in 2014 and it was unanimously recommended by the full committee in its 2014 and 2015 annual reports. He worked tirelessly to get a bill authorizing the coins introduced in Congress and was a key player in its passage into law in 2016.
Mike's military career began with a commission through the Reserve Officers Training program at the University of Northern Iowa in 1987, where he also earned his bachelor's degree. He is also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. During his career with the Iowa Army National Guard, he served as the commander of several units as well as in a number of staff positions, most notably as a strategic planning officer on the Iowa National Guard Joint Staff. He was additionally involved in Baldrige-based continuous improvement programs for the National Guard for over 10 years. His final assignment was as the Selective Service Officer for the State of Iowa, responsible for the recruitment and training of 145 civilian board members recommended by the Governor and appointed in the name of the President. Under his leadership, Iowa ranked first in a 23-state region in terms of readiness. His military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. He was also honored with the Arkansas Traveler award presented by the Governor and Secretary of State of Arkansas.
He has served as president of the Grinnell Rotary Club and treasurer of Big Brothers/Sisters of Northeast Iowa and is involved in many other community activities and organizations.