Alan Olsen to Be Honored as Businessman Of the Year by Bay Area Boy Scout Council
 FREMONT, Calif., May 4, 2010 – The Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America will award Alan Olsen, managing partner Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co. LLP, the honor of Businessman of the Year for his contributions to scouting on May 20th.
Olsen will be given the award at a Friends of Scouting Community Leadership Breakfast benefiting the Mission Peak District of the Boy Scouts of America at the Fremont Marriott from 7:30 am to 9:30 am.
Mark Eaton, NBA All Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, will be the keynote speaker and Richard King former Rotary International President will host the event.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Olsen. “I am proud to support the Boy Scouts of America. I respect the values it instills in young men and young women. It benefited me greatly as a young man.”
Alan Olsen has served in the Bay Area Council where he is a cub master and chairs the annual “Friends of Scouting” fundraising campaign. Through his leadership he was able to raise one million dollars last year to support five districts and more than 300 packs, troops, teams, crews and at risk youth in San Francisco and Alameda counties.
In February Olsen was awarded the Bay Area Council’s annual Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to youth. Silver Beaver awards are given people who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service.
 Alan Olsen said of scouting, “I can think of no other program that teaches young people much needed values than scouting. Not only do they learn the joy of service, but learn leadership skills, self sufficiency and personal responsibility.”
Olsen added, “It’s very fulfilling to work with boys and see them grow and develop, and gain self-confidence and leadership skills as they serve in the Boy Scouts of America troops.”
Alan grew to appreciate scouting through his father’s influence while growing up in Helena, Montana. “My father is a great example and scouting and I will always be grateful that he helped me become involved,” said Alan Olsen. “All three of his sons and seven of his grandsons are Eagle Scouts.”
Alan’s most memorable scouting adventure occurred when he was twelve years old.
“We were camping in Moose Creek, Montana when a blizzard hit. My 65 year old Scoutmaster, Ben Evans, gave the boys his tent. He parked his cot and slept in the open air as the blizzard raged that night. Everyone survived and I learned a lot from my scoutmaster,” remember Alan Olsen.
“Ben taught me about leadership through his example. He mentored me throughout my scouting experience and played an important role in my life. He also started the Eagle Scout Association in Montana; at 13 years-old, I was honored to be amongst the first to join. My Eagle was presented to me by the Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice. I vividly remember, in front of everyone, he tried to get me to kiss my mom!”
Alan is proud of his son’s accomplishments in scouting. Alan is the father of five scouts, two of which are already Eagle Scouts.
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