Otter Tail names vice president

Otter Tail Corporation has hired Michael J. Olsen to be vice president of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs.

Olsen, a senior corporate communications consultant and president of Michael J. Olsen Communications since 2004, will begin his duties June 8.

In this newly created position Olsen will be accountable for developing and implementing Otter Tail Corp. comprehensive communication strategies and public affairs program, providing communications leadership and support for all Otter Tail businesses, and supporting the corporation's investor relations function, including producing its annual report. He will report to CEO and President John Erickson.

Olsen has more than 25 years of experience spanning the corporate, public, and nonprofit sectors including senior-level work with Microsoft Business Solutions, Fargo, N.D.; Great Plains Software, Fargo; Himle Horner, Incorporated, Minneapolis; National Car Rental, Minneapolis; as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Public Affairs, Washington, DC; as Press Secretary to Senator Mark Andrews (R-ND); Prairie Public Television, Fargo; and KXJB TV, Fargo. Olsen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech and drama from North Dakota State University, Fargo.