WILLIAM M. OLSON
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,
DIVISION MANAGER,
NEWLAND REAL ESTATE GROUP
YEARS AT COMPANY: 1; in commercial real estate development industry: 31 years
BORN/RAISED: Michigan
EDUCATION
HIGH SCHOOL: Scottsdale, Ariz.
UNIVERSITY: Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.
Dual General Contractors Licenses
AZ Real Estate Broker’s License
Several professional certifications
FAVORITES
SPORTS: Hockey, golf, football
MUSIC: Too numerous to list
TRAVEL DESTINATIONS: Snow and ocean
LEISURE ACTIVITIES: Hike, bike, climb, motorcycles and sculptures
WHAT DID YOU THINK YOU’D BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
A medical doctor
OF WHAT PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE YOU MOST PROUD?
Father of my daughter
BEST BUSINESS ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN:
Work hard, be genuine and finish what you start.
ADVICE YOU’D SHARE WITH PEOPLE EARLY IN THEIR REAL ESTATE CAREER:
Find a firm where you can have a mentor that will help show you the ropes and work you tail off.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I do metal and stone sculpture.
WHEN AND HOW DID YOU GET INTO SCULPTING?
I started welding go-karts in Michigan as a kid and then spontaneously tried some metal work and it took off from there.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU FIND THE TIME TO WORK ON SCULPTURES?
Infrequently today, but it’s best when I have a person who has a need and I can design the piece to the space they need/want it.
WHAT KIND OF SCULPTING MEDIUMS DO YOU USE AND WHAT KIND OF SCULPTURES DO YOU MAKE?
Metal, stone, wood, patina solutions for color and special effects.
DO YOU SELL YOUR WORK?
No. Once I start selling, it becomes work.
I do it for creative outlet and for people I care about.
