It is with mixed feelings that I would like to share with you that David Olive, Sr. Vice President, Policy Development & Support, will retire at the end of May. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank David for 14 years of dedicated and selfless service to ICANN. His contributions and impact on ICANN have been immeasurable.
David joined ICANN to lead the Policy Development & Support team in February of 2010. Under his leadership, the Policy team has grown and evolved into a world-class team that provides exceptional support to the community in its work to develop bottom-up, consensus policies that further advance ICANN’s mission.
David also was the founding Managing Director of our Istanbul office, and his imprint is embedded in its culture. Many members of the Istanbul team were hired by David directly and we are grateful for his early leadership in the region. Since 2021 he has served as the Managing Director of our Washington, D.C., office. We are extremely grateful to him for his hard work and leadership in this role.
Prior to joining ICANN, David served as General Manager and Chief Corporate Representative at Fujitsu Limited, where he advised Fujitsu on business planning, corporate and business development, and public policy issues. He also had a distinguished career as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer specializing in trade, investment and technology policy. David was awarded the U.S. State Department’s Meritorious Honor Award for distinguished service.
David will be truly missed. He has been a trusted colleague and friend to so many of us and we are indebted to him for his tireless contributions over the years, his dedication to ICANN, and the legacy of professionalism and artful diplomacy that he leaves with us.
With his departure still some months away, we will have the opportunity to show our thanks and appreciation. Meanwhile, please join me in wishing David and his wife Marsha a happy retirement. I am delighted for them and know that they will relish the extra time they will be able to spend with their grandchildren.
