NBAA Welcomes Craig Olson to Board of Directors

Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-431-5970, [email protected]

Washington, DC, June 3, 2026 - The Board of Directors of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has elected Craig R. Olson, vice president, aviation, Starbucks Coffee Company, to the association's board.

"We are pleased to welcome Craig to the NBAA Board of Directors. He brings to the board a wealth of real-world aviation expertise and a deep understanding of how business aviation drives efficiency and connectivity for global organizations," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "We look forward to the perspective and leadership Craig will bring as we work together to advance the interests of our members and the broader business aviation community."

Olson began his aviation career working for Kenmore Air, flying floatplanes throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada, before joining the U.S. Navy in 1994. He served 20 years as a Navy fighter pilot, accumulating nearly 4,000 hours in the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet as a distinguished combat pilot, flight leader and instructor pilot.

He was assigned to various carrier and shore-based squadrons throughout his Navy career, including two tours with the Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron - The Blue Angels.

After retiring as Navy commander in 2014, Olson transitioned to business aviation, assuming the role of safety officer for a high-net-worth operator in Seattle flying two Bombardier Global aircraft and a Cessna Caravan Amphibian

In January 2017, he joined the Starbucks Coffee Company as the chief pilot, followed shortly thereafter by his appointment to vice president of aviation, executing worldwide flight operations in support of Starbucks' executive air travel and transportation needs.

Olson holds a bachelor's degree in aviation management, a master's degree in organizational leadership and is a NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM).

Learn more about the NBAA Board of Directors.

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.

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