Dr. John Olson is a Special Government Employee Civilian with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) for the United States Department of Defense based in Silicon Valley. He is a visionary strategic leader, bold pioneer, and effective senior executive with world-class programmatic, technical, and operations success in aerospace, energy, defense, and outdoor systems; technology, innovation, data, AI, cybersecurity, and quantum; and advanced manufacturing proven through sustained superior results in 36 years of Air Force, White House, and NASA public service. He is a retired General Officer and former Senior Executive Service member with 12 years at the Pentagon, nearly a decade at NASA, and two years as the Assistant Director for Space and Aeronautics at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Major General Olson led the standup of the United States Space Force as the Mobilization Assistant to the Chief of Space Operations, the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, and the Space Operations Lead for Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control, while also serving as the first Department of the Air Force Chief Data and AI Officer. Dr. Olson has five engineering degrees; speaks five languages; is a graduate of the US Air Force Test Pilot School with experience in 83 aircraft; and served as the Airborne Emergency Action Officer on the Airborne Nuclear Command Post. Dr. Olson is an experienced industry executive, entrepreneur, and commercial operator with 14 years of successful leadership as a Chairman, CEO, President, Vice President and General Manager in public and private companies.