Public Affairs

Tom worked as a journalist for 20 years, with the second half of his newspaper career focussed on Alberta politics. He was a political columnist for the Calgary Herald, and served as the Alberta Legislature Bureau Chief for both the Edmonton Journal and Calgary Herald. The joint Herald/Journal bureau was the first in the more than 100-year history of either paper. Tom continues to be a front-line fanatic, finding breaking news and regularly sharing the scoop with clients, friends, and family.

Tom served as Director of Media Relations in the Alberta Premier’s Office, and later, as Director of New Media, introduced the Government of Alberta’s first policy on social media.
His role in government provided professional growth and insight on communications from a vastly different perspective than his work as a journalist, rounding out his skills in both areas of communications and politics.

Tom founded a successful Government Relations practice in 2010. He has an innate ability to create a team environment with his clients, providing seamless support and insights. 

Tom’s communications and government relations skills and background mesh perfectly to provide what clients need - to question, listen, then develop messaging that clearly and succinctly outlines their goals in the context of existing government policy.

 

Tom is a regular commentator on radio and TV.  He also finds the energy to express himself creatively, actively writing music and lyrics and performing with his band, Tom Olsen and the Wreckage.

He regularly goes to the gym, rides his bike and cross-country skis in an effort to keep his middle-aged self from going too far to seed.