David Olson

As a Deputy Director, I directly oversaw the operation and workload of a team of economists, editors, visual communication specialists and assistants to conduct research and publications about the transportation of agricultural commodities and ag derived goods. In this position I coordinated and led USDA efforts to mitigate supply chain emergencies including natural disasters, port closures, labor/strike impacts globally, working closely with government officials up to the Executive Office of the Presiden

I conducted policy cost benefit analysis to determine the value to society of proposed policy and regulation. Most of this work revolved around consumer products including batteries, toys, mobility devices, etc. I used large datasets with millions of data points to answer questions like, if product A is banned how much societal benefit is derived, versus how much economic value is lost by the firm selling the product. regularly used sensitivity analysis such as what is the benefit of mandating a warning

I was a consultant that worked with clients to determine optimal business decisions. Projects included the acquisition of a short line rail road, investment in fertilizer production infrastructure, and integrating carbon credit revenues into operational decisions. Clients included fortune 500 firms, foreign government investment funds, private equity/investment firms, etc.

US Army Reserve Officer, with deployment experience in Afghanistan. While deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan in 2014 I led a team of 9 soldiers that actively supported over 10,000 coalition members and all of the finance needs for the Regional Command Capital within the NATO structure. I completed the deployment with a record of zero losses of funds on an accountability of over $2.5M and transactions amounting to over $14 M. While there I coordinated reporting to the Federal Reserve Bank-Boston, Department of

Hourly Kapital creates labor markets within organizations allowing employees to trade down time for work and compensation. Using Hourly Kapital improves productivity, employee satisfaction, retention, and compensation while saving money through the novel use of behavioral economics and academically tried and tested nudges.

As an economist I apply economic theory and econometric/modeling estimation techniques to answer questions and make projections for the future of markets. I use these analytical skills to forecast supply, demand, trade, use, and prices in domestic and international agricultural markets. Modeling for these forecasts requires in-depth knowledge of agriculture, policy, trade, data, statistical analysis, and theory. I specialize in forecasting models using statistical software for back testing and iteration, wh

As a graduate student, I served as a graduate research assistant to a faculty adviser in the Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics Department, a graduate teaching assistant for two undergraduate courses (Agribusiness Management 437 and Environmental Economics 405), and a grader for an undergraduate Environmental Economics course. I also gained specific in-country experience while working with researchers in Nairobi, Kenya in August 2016 as a research assistant. In my work as a research assistant I us

I maintained accountability of a Microsoft Access database task tracker for employees, regularly presenting the status of the program to supervising officers. Collaborated closely with officers and civilian staff to ensure the Army adequately integrated all systems for use.