Jim Fair
Randy Olson, white shirt, background, oversees a hydrant test downtown before the Sooie't Relief BBQ Benefit.
File Photo
Randy Olson, with CPW Commissioner Perry Williams, was interim general manager for six months.
Randy Olson, left, former GM Nick Stegall, center, and Carlos Gittens, Supervising Engineer with Parsons Brinckerhof, at a community forum for the Inland Port. Olson helped oversee the infrastructure that was put in place by CPW.
Greer CPW Photo
During Randy Olson’s tenure with Greer CPW, he oversaw one of the greatest growth periods in the Commission’s 101-year history.
The official announcement for Olson, Engineer & Planning Manager, made mention of his intent to retire. “Randy was in the mix of everything and had more knowledge than anyone. We relied on (Randy) and he delivered,” said Commission Chairman Jeff Howell. “I wish he would stay around. We will definitely miss him.”
“It’s time and it’s been a good run,” said Olson. There was little talk of retirement plans with his wife, Kathleen. “I’m not anxious to into anything different.”
“I still have a full plate for the remainder of the year and will pretty much carry on what we currently have in front of us,” said Olson. (Tuesday) we bid on a sewer project at Bent Creek.”
Olson was interim general manager for about six months during the search for a replacement for former GM Nick Stegall, who retired last September. Olson made it known to commissioners he would not seek the GM position because of his pending retirement but would help transition the utility under new leadership.
“Randy could have filled that (GM) position very easily and been very good,” said Jeff Tuttle, GM at the utility. “His perspective was invaluable.”
During Olson’s tenure with Greer CPW, he oversaw one of the greatest growth periods in the Commission’s 101-year history, Tuttle’s statement read.
Among Olson’s expansion infrastructure projects he managed:
• installation of a 24-inch looped water main
• Pleasant Grove elevated water storage tank
• Abner and Bent Creek sewer extensions
• BMW pump station upgrade
• Dillard Creek sewer extension
• various water and sewer rehabilitation undertakings
• project development for the new Victor Hill substation
• utility access for the South Carolina Inland Port
“A lot of major projects were in the ground and ongoing,” said Howell. “Randy was in the mix of everything and had more knowledge than anyone of all that was going on.”
Olson joined CPW in April 2003 from the private sector as a civil engineer. He served as the sewer department manager until September 2006. As operations manager from September 2006 through September 2014, he was responsible for electric, natural gas, water distribution, and sewer operations.
“Randy was a great asset, especially from the developer side of utilities,” said Howell. “Having somebody inside to get you the information was valuable.”
Department managers and staff have commended Olson for keeping CPW focused and moving forward during the GM search process and transitioning the utility during Tuttle’s early months in Greer.
Tuttle said Olson presented a sense of humor rarely seen. “He was fun to be around and could deliver some zingers.”
Perhaps Olson’s most tumultuous experience occurred in July 2013, when he appeared before an agitated city council, to explain CPW’s updating its long dormant grease catching requirements for restaurants and businesses/churches. City Council rebuked CPW’s efforts. Interestingly, at the advice of council, CPW’s educational public session drew only one business owner, the mayor and city administrator. No council members attended but eventually passed a watered-down grease catching ordinance.
That Olson was chosen to present CPW’s policy was indicative of his standing among his peers. “Randy never got excited and was even keeled. He always maintained his focus and had a nice demeanor,” said Tuttle.
“Randy was always level headed and gave his full attention to tasks,” said Howell. “His work ethic was so good you knew anything you gave him would get done.”