Richard G. Olson

Richard Gustave Olson Jr. (born 1959 ) is an American diplomat and career Foreign Service officer, who formerly served as the United States ambassador to Pakistan. Prior to his appointment in Pakistan, Olson had served as U.S. ambassador to the United Arab Emirates as well the coordinating director for development and economic Affairs at the U.S. embassy in Kabul with the rank of ambassador. He is a career member of the Foreign Service, class of career minister.

Education

Olson earned an undergraduate degree in law and society, and history from Brown University in 1981.

Career

Olson joined the U.S. State Department in 1982, and served tenures in Mexico, Uganda, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Iraq, and three tours in the United Arab Emirates.

In 2012, Cameron Munter resigned as the United States ambassador to Pakistan after relations between Pakistan and the United States deteriorated following the U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. President Barack Obama nominated Olson for ambassadorship, and he was later confirmed by the United States Senate. He presented his credentials to President Asif Ali Zardari on October 31, 2012.

In 2023, Olson was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay a $93,350 fine for improperly helping a wealthy Persian Gulf country influence U.S. policy and for not disclosing gifts he received from a disgraced political fundraiser.

Awards and honors Olson has been awarded the Presidential Distinguished Service Award and the Secretary of Defense's Exceptional Civilian Service Award, and is a three-time recipient of the State Department's Superior Honor Award.