Focus On: Earle Olson
Tyco Electronics, Global Aerospace, Defense, and Marine
“Earle has held a number of management positions within the industry and has the unique ability to stay current on quickly evolving standards. He has particular expertise in expanded beam interconnects and is an enthusiastic supporter of fiber optic technology,” said Bob Hult, Bishop & Associates’ director of product technology. This Scandinavian also has a sense of humor…check out what the Nordic God is holding!

Earle Olson
Current position: Tyco Electronics, Global Aerospace, Defense, and Marine Business Development Manager, High Speed Solutions
Previous industry positions: In-Flight Entertainment, Commercial Aerospace, High-Density Switching
Industry affiliations or organizations: ARINC, SAE, WAEA, AEEC, AMC, OFC
Accomplishments you’re proud of: Cost-effective designs for IFE industry, high-speed solutions that are “built to survive” for a cross section of a broad market of applications, from rail to broadcast/cinema cameras, tactical communications networks, naval, and airborne (commercial and military).
First job: Deutsch ECD, Banning, Calif., 1981
Favorite website: www.schelto.com
The last book I read: What the CEO Wants You to Know: Building Business Acumen and Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle
Why did you choose this industry for your profession? I had moved to Southern California after graduation from the Minnesota/North Dakota region and needed a job. I applied for and accepted a position with Deutsch and was captivated by the challenges the industry provided. The ability to serve customers with unique solutions was, and continues to be, interesting and personally rewarding.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have: Spent more time skiing.
The best advice anyone ever gave me was: Listen closely, make sure you understand what the need is, confirm that your understanding is what you think it is, and then, if it is a change you are effecting, remember to check on that change. Is it the change you intended?
What trend in the industry is affecting your job and what would you like to do about it? Bandwidth expansion is driven by the converging demand of data, video, and signal—all at the same time, and one must reduce weight and power (SWAP). TE is working to combine the true promise of “commercial” off the shelf into robust designs that are built to survive.