Dr. Charles E. Olson
Professor of the Practice and
Director, Business Honors Program

Ph.D., University of Wisconsin – Madison

Robert H. Smith School of Business
Logistics, Business and Public Policy
3419 Van Munching Hall
College Park, MD  20742-1815
301.405.8666
colson@rhsmith.umd.edu

Research Interests:  Public utility economics and strategy.

Professor Charles E. Olson holds the positions of Professor of the Practice and Director of the Honors Program at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. From 1986 – 2000 he was president of Zinder Companies, Inc., a public utility consulting firm. Prior to joining Zinder Companies, Inc., Olson was president of Olson & Co., Inc. from 1980 – 1986. Dr. Olson was assistant and then associate professor of business at the University of Maryland from 1968 – 76. His Ph.D. is from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Olson is a nationally recognized expert on the cost of capital to public utilities. He is also a recognized expert on all aspects of public utility regulation and energy economics. Olson has testified in several hundred utility cases in 50 jurisdictions. In this regard he has consulted for more than 100 utilities as well as industrial companies, state agencies, trade associations and environmental groups.

Olson’s current focus is on teaching managerial and macro economics to first-year MBA students at the Smith School as well as the undergraduate honors seminar. He also participates in several executive programs. Additionally, Olson is involved in course and program development and does case related research.