Thomas F. Olin

Thomas F. Olin (April 24, 1928 – October 30, 1996) was the chairman of Archway Cookies, Incorporated.

Thomas F. Olin
Born(1928-04-24)April 24, 1928
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedOctober 30, 1996(1996-10-30) (aged 68)
Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Michigan
B.A. Economics (1952)
Distinguished Military Graduate
Occupation(s)Executive
Builder/Architect
Foreign Relations Consultant
Government Intelligence
Employer(s)Archway Cookies, Incorporated,
Skidmore Construction Company,
Central Intelligence Agency
TitleChairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer
Childreninclude Thomas F. Olin, Jr., also formerly of Archway Cookies
Signature

Early life, military, and government service

Olin was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Merton and Ann (Roring) Olin, where his father was an executive with the J. C. Penney Company. He attended seven different grade schools, graduating from high school with honors in Grove City, Pennsylvania, in 1946. He joined the United States Army in 1946 and served two years in the military police in Japan, where one of his primary assignments was protection of the area surrounding General Douglas MacArthur's command headquarters (Dai-Ichi Building) in downtown Tokyo.[1][2] After being honorably discharged, Olin attended the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics (distinguished military graduate), with minors in political science and speech. At the suggestion of a professor, Olin joined the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C., where he worked in clandestine operations in 1952 and 1953.[3][4][5] He maintained relationships with the government throughout the 1960s, including serving as a consultant in American foreign relations for several years,[3][6][7][8][9][10] before retiring as a major in the United States Army's Transportation Corps (USAR-TC) in 1969.[11]

Archway Cookies

In 1964, Olin joined the Archway Cookie Company as bakery general manager in Ashland, Ohio. Putting an emphasis on product freshness and quality,[12] he expanded the bakery – originally a converted Tucker car dealership – into the largest Archway facility in the nation, producing nearly ten million cookies per week.[13][14][15]

Olin purchased the company as a partner in 1983,[16] and took the role of chairman of the board and co-chief executive officer; he served in that capacity until his death in 1996.[17][18] By that time, Archway Cookies had become the third-largest cookie brand in the United States, with retail sales reaching a third of a billion dollars annually.[19][20]

Community service

While living in Ashland, Olin served on the board and as president of the Ashland Public Library (1970–1977), chairman of the Ashland City School District "Task Force" Survey (1971), vice president of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce (1970–1972), director of the Huntington National Bank (1972–1983), chairman of the Ashland County Heart Fund (1973–1975), and on Ashland University board of trustees and President's Advisory Council (1972–1996).[21][22] He was a participant in the Ashland Manufacturer's Council, a member of the City of Ashland Area Traffic Improvement Committee, and a board member of the First Presbyterian Church (1970–1972). He was also member of the Ashland Rotary Club (1966–1983), Young Men's Business Club, and University Club.[23]

As a resident of Battle Creek, Michigan, Olin served on the Battle Creek Community Foundation board of trustees (Grant Review Committee) and as a board member of the Michigan National Bank (1983–1996). In addition, he volunteered on behalf of Junior Achievement of Southwest Michigan, the South-Central Michigan Food Bank, the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children's Miracle Network, the University of Michigan, and Habitat for Humanity. He was a lifelong Master Mason-Scottish Rite (Lodge #419), and Shriner (Saladin Temple).

Awards and honors

Olin was named Ashland, Ohio's first "Citizen of the Year" in 1991,[24][25][26] and received the Sigma Chi "Significant Sig Medal" at the fraternity international grand chapter meeting in 1993.[27] He served as Honorary National Chairman for Junior Achievement in 1996.[28] In 1988, Olin was the keynote speaker at the Ashland Chamber of Commerce Industrial Appreciation Dinner, where he was recognized for his contributions on behalf of the city of Ashland. In 1986, he received an honorary membership in the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society in Business Administration at Ashland University.

A Junior Achievement of Southwest Michigan matching-funds endowment (the Thomas F. and Gloria J. Olin Fund), managed by the Battle Creek Community Foundation, was also established in 1999.[29] A Habitat for Humanity home, located at 10 Rose Street in Battle Creek, Michigan, was dedicated in Olin's name on January 24, 1999.[30]

References
  1. Company C, 720th Military Police Battalion. http://720mpreunion.org/history/rosters/1947/1947.html
  2. Active Duty Roster, Downtown Tokyo, May 30, 1947. http://720mpreunion.org/history/photographs_a/a0147_3.html.
  3. "About Folks: Olin Attends Midwest Seminar on United States Foreign Policy" Battle Creek Enquirer, February 18, 1962, p. 8.
  4. "Cookie company chief was quick to provide sample of his product", Detroit Free Press, November 1, 1996. p. 2.
  5. "Thomas F. Olin dead at 68" Ashland Times Gazette, October 31, 1996.
  6. "The Representation of the United States Abroad" The American Assembly, Mid-American Conference (Roster), January 1957.
  7. "NATO and United States Foreign Policy" Midwest Seminar on United States Foreign Policy, The Brookings Institution / Ford Foundation. Cranbrook Conference (Roster), September 1957.
  8. "Chinese civilization in liberal education" University of Chicago Conference (Roster), November 1958.
  9. "Conference on United States and the Sino-Soviet Bloc in Southeast Asia" The Brookings Institution / The American Assembly. Wingspread Conference (Roster), March 1962.
  10. "United States policy toward the Common Market and the North Atlantic Community" Midwest Seminar on United States Foreign Policy, Wingspread Conference (Roster), November 1963.
  11. Department of the Army, U.S. Army Administration Center. Removal from active status - Thomas F. Olin. Referral Number: AGUZ-RP-SN. February 3, 1969.
  12. Thomas Olin Introductory Remarks - 1993 Archway Cookies Sales Seminar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjahV7Y39og
  13. "Miles of cookies roll out of bakery", Mansfield News Journal, February 4, 1973.
  14. "Archway Cookies Meets Increased Product Demand," Industrial Engineering, September 1, 1992, p. 18.
  15. "Thomas F. Olin, Sr. April 24, 1928 - October 30, 1996." Archway News, November 1996.
  16. "Olin becomes co-owner of Archway Cookies Inc." Ashland Times Gazette, March 30, 1983, p. 1.
  17. "Chairman of Archway Cookies Dies" CNN Headline News Broadcast. October 31, 1996. Source: CNN / Federal Document Clearing House www.fdch.com.
  18. "Archway Cookies patriarch dies of heart attack - Olin called dynamic family man and leader", Battle Creek Enquirer, October 31, 1996. p. 1 and p. 4.
  19. "Archway Bakes Into No. 3 After Introducing Low-Fat Treats," Associated Press, August 29, 1995.
  20. "Fat-free fervor helps Archway: Local cookie company could get used to being No. 3 in the U.S." Battle Creek Enquirer Business Journal, November 1, 1995.
  21. "Three new members appointed to President's Council at AC", Ashland Times Gazette, April 20, 1972.
  22. "Two Elected Trustees For Ashland College" Mansfield News Journal, February 5, 1976.
  23. Bohrer, Cami (October 18, 1975). "We salute … Tom Olin". Ashland Times Gazette.
  24. "AU Library Friends honor Thomas Olin", Ashland Times Gazette, March 20, 1991.
  25. "Archway chairman is 'Citizen of Year'", The Collegian (Ashland University), March 14, 1991.
  26. "Thomas F. Olin, Ashland University Friends of the Library Spring Luncheon Address" (pamphlet). Ashland University publication. April 1991.
  27. Sigma Chi Fraternity-Significant Sig Recipient List: http://www.sigmachi.org/significant-sigs-recipients
  28. "Junior Achievement - National Meeting Keynote Speech - July 28, 1996" Olin, Sr., Thomas F., "The Wind Beneath My Wings - The Speeches, Statements, and Writings of Thomas F. Olin, Sr." Hardcover, 470 pp. EPI Printing. ASIN: B00416IC72.
  29. Battle Creek Foundation Endowments: http://www.bccfoundation.org/fund/daf
  30. Habitat for Humanity of Battle Creek, Michigan, 2009 Annual Report. Article featuring the Rose Street house.
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