Bio of Dan Olsen

Family: I married Alison Drake one year after I returned from my mission in June of 1979. I am fortunate to have her to put up with me all these years. We have four sons and finally had a daughter who has her dad and big brothers all wrapped around her little finger. Spencer is 23. He was track star and has returned from the Texas, Ft. Worth mission (Texan speaking). He and his wife Mandee just had a beautiful baby girl. Michael, 20, is currently serving in the Canada, Montreal mission (French speaking). He is quite a musician and along with his group put out three CD's before his mission. Matt is 18 and will report to the MTC in October for the China, Hong Kong mission (Mandarin speaking). He was in Track and student government. Thomas is 14 and currently is doing very well on his freshman football team and in Chorus. Marianne is 12. She plays piano well and does well in softball, track, chorus and student government.

Church: I am currently doing my turn as Bishop. I enjoyed serving on the high council, Bishopric, Elders quorum president, Ward mission leader, YM President, Primary teacher, etc.

Education: I completed two years at BYU, ran on the track team (high hurdles), met my wife and then transferred to University of Utah where I spent two more years working on my Finance degree.

Work: We lived in Salt Lake City for four years and then moved to Colorado Springs where I was manager for Wells Fargo. After four years in Colorado Springs we moved to Denver where I was a vice president for three years. In 1991, we transferred to Mesa. I spent one more year with Wells Fargo and then got into my present field with franchise development. I am the owner of Franchise Growth Systems, a franchise development company developing new and existing franchise concepts in North America. I am fortunate to have an office in San Jose, Costa Rica. In November, I go to Nicaragua for franchise meetings.

Hobbies: Reading, writing, running (short distances), traveling with my family and attending children’s athletic events and concerts. This past summer I got to take the family to Costa Rica. We spent most of our time on the beaches surfing and deep-sea fishing. We attended Sacrament meeting in Liberia, the city we opened up over 25 years ago. It was great to see the progress of the two branches there.

Comps: Reed Harris – MTC, Lawrence Sarver - San Pedro Sula, David Smart - San Pedro Sula, Warren Higgins - La Ceiba, Richard Stevens - La Ceiba, Armando Sierra - Managua - Bello Horizonte, Steve Gerber - Managua - Bello Horizonte, Scott Peterson - Managua - Reparto Schick, Salvatore Palilla - Managua - Reparto Schick, Rigoberto Reyes - Managua - Reparto Schick, Steve Berner - Liberia, Costa Rica, Charles Harrison - Liberia, Costa Rica, Michael Talley - Liberia, Costa Rica, Jay Rollins - Balboa, Canal Zone, Brent Bowman - San Jose, office, Brent Romney - San Jose, office.

Memories: I am still experiencing great memories and friendships from the mission. Jay Rollins and I taught and baptized the Roberts family in Panama. They live here in the Phoenix area and we get to associate with one another. I get to see several of you from time to time either here in Phoenix or traveling. I think about my mission every day. Those memories are so precious. I thank those wonderful companions I worked with side by side. I appreciate all of you and have learned from all of you. I am grateful for the many friendships gained in the mission. I am sure they will be eternal friendships. I especially appreciate the leadership of President Eagar and President Muren. I will be forever grateful for the many things I learned from those great men.