David S. Olsen, Neighbor

David S. Olsen is a candidate for Commissioner on the Downers Grove Village Council at the April 9, 2013 election.  He is a longtime resident of Downers Grove with experience and passion for serving the community.

David grew up as one of two siblings in Downers Grove.  He was educated in the public schools of Districts 58 and 99, attending Hillcrest Elementary School, O’Neill Middle School, and Downers Grove South High School.  With a strong academic record and active involvement in the DGS Bands – including the Marching Mustangs – David was accepted to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study business.

David was active in many organizations within both the business school and the wider campus community at the University of Illinois.  As student body president, David represented more than 40,000 students as he worked collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and community leaders to guide the University through financial challenges – often making difficult but necessary decisions to reform programs and services.  David also led a successful effort to prevent an unreasonable increase to student fees during his time as president.  He received the Willard L. Broom Excellence in Leadership Award and the Weinstein Student Leadership in Business Award for his efforts to improve the university and community, and was a finalist for the internationally-acclaimed Rhodes Scholarship.

After graduation, David returned to his hometown of Downers Grove where he quickly became involved in the community as a precinct committeeman.  David is active at Friendship United Methodist Church as co-leader of the eighth grade confirmation class, committee chairman for Boy Scout Troop 35, and as a member of the Chancel Choir and Bell Choir.  He also exercises and volunteers at the Indian Boundary YMCA.

David is currently employed in the regulatory division of an energy trading company based in Chicago and holds bachelor’s degrees in finance and management from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.