Thomas A. Olson

For over three decades, Mr. Olson has been a business systems engineer and analyst in the Communications, Aerospace, and Publishing sectors. In addition, he has worked in analysis and operations roles in the Financial Services sector (cash and fund management). A serial entrepreneur, he co-founded Exodus Consulting Group as a "catalyst" helping tech startups and investors find each other. He served on the original organizing committee for the ’Space Investment Summits’, an event that brought together interested investors and space entrepreneurs for knowledge sharing and professional networking. From 2006-2010, he was a regular contributor to the "Space Cynics" blog, fighting against the ignorance, obfuscation, and boosterism that often pervades the NewSpace sector. Today he serves as Director of Business Development for Avealto, Ltd., based in the UK, an early-stage firm that will soon provide High Altitude Platforms for internet and mobile services to under served areas around the world. He is also Chair and Founder of the not-for-profit Center for Space Commerce and Finance, based in TX, and the new "owner" of the NewSpace Business Plan Competition.

Broadcast 1033 (Special Edition)

Guest: Tom Olson was the guest for this Space Show program to debrief us on the IAC 2008 conference recently held in Glasgow, Scotland. However, we first spent a few minutes talking about the case of Walt Anderson, the website which Tom created to explain the case against Walt and provide all relevant information about Walt, www.justiceforwalt.com. After discussing Walt Anderson, we then moved on to talking about the various sessions, the major talk by NASA Administrator Dr.

Broadcast 1021 (Special Edition)

Guests: Robert Jacobson, Dr. Paul Eckert, Tom Olson, Bruce Pittman, and Rex Ridenoure were the guests on this Space Show program to discuss the upcoming Space Investment Summit 5 which will take place on Oct. 5, 2008 in Bel Aire (Los Angeles), CA. To find out more about the event and for online registration/hotel, please visit www.spaceinvestmentsummit.com for more details.

Broadcast 957 (Special Edition)

Guests: Space Cynics Shubber Ali, Tom Olson, and me (DrSpace aka Professor L) met for this interview in the hotel coffee shop for an in-person discussion featuring the Cynics' view of several of the topics discussed at ISDC 2008. This was the first ever in-person Cynics show, but we hope to offer you more and with our fourth Cynic, Old Space Cadet, who could not be with us this year. We were also joined by Reda Anderson, who is now an Honorary Space Cynic. The gloves were taken off and our discussion was hard-hitting on many topics.

Broadcast 856 (Special Edition)

Guest: Tom Olson. Tom Olson was the guest for this Space Show program focusing on a 2007 year end review. Tom has been doing this review since the early days of The Space Show and it has since become an annual tradition. Along with being a light and fun show, he provided important and substantive analysis on many key topics and issues which faced the space world in 2007. Many of these issues will undoubtedly face the space world for 2008. We had many listener questions on several topics dealing with New Space investments, financing, and maturity.

Broadcast 848 (Special Edition)

Guests: Dr. Paul Eckert, Tom Olson.Dr. Paul Eckert & Tom Olson discussed the Space Investment Summit (www.spaceinvestmentsummit.com) which was recently held in San Jose, CA. During this program, we went over the keynote speakers of the conference as well as the panels, their content and what was learned. We pointed out the superb networking opportunities that were available during this conference.

Broadcast 725 (Special Edition)

Tom Olson was the guest for this special Space Show program intended to update us on the ISDC conference that just ended in Dallas, TX. Please note that for this interview, there were audio issues with the telephone line with Tom that could not be cleared for this show. I asked Tom to tell us his favorite talk at ISDC was and while he said there were not major show stoppers as there were last year with the luncheon talk by Burt Rutan, he did say he was very impressed with Alex Tai and also talks in the business track.

Broadcast 711 (Special Edition)

Paul Eckert, Tom Olson & Eva-Jane Lark were the guests for this Space Show program to discuss the recently held Space Investment Summit (http://www.spacecommerceroundtable.com/upcoming.html). This program focused on the Summit but also on space investment and space commerce. We noted many of the positive changes that have taken place over time, the quality of those attending this particular conference, speakers and presenters which can be found on the above referenced website, and the timing for such a summit.

Broadcast 645 (Special Edition)

Tom Olson was the special end of the year guest to bring 2006 on The Space Show to its conclusion. We looked back at 2006 and did much looking forward to examine the space development potential for 2007 and beyond. Tom fielded many listener questions about the NewSpace company business methodologies, focusing on issues that seem to adversely impact the economic development of New Space. This included financing issues, excessive secrecy of many New Space companies, website and rhetoric claims, and more.

Broadcast 435 (Special Edition)

Tom Olson, CEO of the Colony Fund returned for his end of the year update on The Space Show. We began the interview with getting an update from Tom on changes being made in the planning and development of the Colony Fund. As Tom likes to say, a wall was hit this year with alt.space which forced new strategic thinking on the Colony Fund management team. Current thinking has the Colony Fund expanding beyond only space investments to include technology, specifically nanotechnology opportunities along side commercial space opportunities. Marketing Colony Fund is also important and Mr.

Broadcast 337 (Special Edition)

Tom Olson returned to The Space Show to update us on what has been happening within the entrepreneurial space industry for the first half of the year. Since his last visit on the program at the end of 2004, the industry has continued to move forward with hopes placed on the new NASA Administrator Dr. Mike Griffin as well as on the momentum from events in late 2004. Mr. Olson talked about the Administrator and NASA, he spoke about the continuing impact of Space Ship One, and the many likely entries in the space tourism vehicle market.