Derek M. Olson, is the Chief Executive Officer of National Flooring Equipment, Inc., Lord James Surface Preparation, and Syntec Diamond Tools Previously, Derek worked in aerospace manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma operations management consulting, and legislative & economic research and drafting.

Mr. Olson has a degree in International Management and Economics from Pepperdine University in Malibu California, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of London. He is a graduate of Saint Thomas Academy (Military Institute) in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. He is a President Emeritus of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Zeta Pi Chapter; and during his collegiate tenure he coached the Pepperdine Women’s Intercollegiate Field Hockey Team. He speaks French, some Italian, and enough German to order dinner. Derek was a member of Mensa who got kicked out for not paying dues.

Mr. Olson is the Chairman of Board of Lord & James International. He is a member of the UK Regional Chapter and EuroStar Chapter of Young Presidents Organization (YPO); and on the Board of the YPO Manufacturing Excellence Network. Derek has his Six Sigma Black Belt Certification and his Lean Certifications from the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. He has lectured at Peoples University in Beijing, Pepperdine University, and is a regular orator at library story time for 4th graders at St. Anne’s Episcopal School in Denver. Preferred discussion topics are always Great Books, economics, and faith. He is an active member of the Christian Business Men’s Connection in Denver, Colorado.

Derek met his lovely wife, a San Diego native, Lisa; while they were both studying in Florence, Italy. They were married in 2004 and have two kids, Alistair, and Hadley.