Former Army Corps District Commander Brings Connections, Sea Level Rise Expertise to Old Dominion University

October 06, 2015

Paul Olsen

In his 28 years with the Army Corps of Engineers, including the past four as the Norfolk District Commander, Col. Paul Olsen (Ret.) kept sea level rise as a top-of-mind concern. During his four-year command, Olsen was also acutely aware of the research and organization at Old Dominion University connected to the issue.

Therefore, when considering post-military options for his next challenge, Olsen chose Old Dominion over many other competing options.

"I specifically wanted to come here," Olsen said. "I feel Old Dominion University's vision to be a national leader in sea level rise planning, research and resilience is magnificent and it will allow me to continue the work I began in this region as the Corps of Engineers District Commander."

Olsen is the University's director of federal, commonwealth and municipal programs and partnerships, with a particular emphasis on sea level rise-related issues. Olsen will be responsible for taking Old Dominion's world-renowned research in sea level rise and the collaborations formed through projects such as the White House Sea Level Rise Pilot Project - which the University leads - and helping create operationalized policy.

"There is a real track record of success here. I'm here to help turn all of this significant research and collaboration into an applied framework," Olsen said.

Morris Foster, vice president of research at Old Dominion, believes Olsen is a valuable addition to University's sea level rise expertise.

"We are very pleased to have someone with Col. Olsen's experience join ODU's resilience initiatives," he said. "As district Corps of Engineers commander, Col. Olsen worked closely with many stakeholders in the region in planning for, mitigating and adapting to sea level rise. Now he can bring that practical engineering and management experience to help ODU develop academic, research and outreach projects in this critical area."

Originally from Milwaukee, Olsen worked around the world for the Army Corp., including multiple wartime deployments. His military commitment lasted for nearly 28 years because he felt a responsibility to serve his country. It also helped that the past four years were Olsen's "dream job" as District Commander in Norfolk, charged with such diverse responsibilities as deepening the channel at the Port of Virginia and restoring honor at Arlington National Cemetery following recent bureaucratic struggles.

Norfolk District, an area slightly larger than the Commonwealth of Virginia that comprises lower-lying regions of Virginia, North Carolina and Delaware, also led to significant responsibility to plan for sea level rise mitigation and adaptation.

In his role with the Army Corps of Engineers, Olsen was acutely aware that the Hampton Roads region is most susceptible to sea level rise on the entire East Coast, because the gradual rise in sea levels is accelerated by a slowing Gulf Stream, and resulting effects are being felt more dramatically because land in this region is sinking.

"What New York is facing in 100 years, we're facing in 50," Olsen said. "While no one should be running for high ground just yet, it demonstrates the need to plan for this development."

Fortunately, there is a diverse array of government, academic and community-based organizations that are working collaboratively to tackle the issue.

"These groups are making incredible strides toward addressing the threat from our rising seas," Olsen said. "But even the finest organization cannot address sea level rise planning alone. It truly takes a team of leaders and experts drawn from all levels of government, as well as our exceptional non-governmental organizations and academic and research institutions to make a difference and we have all of this here at Old Dominion University."