Meet Our Editor:

Ted Olsen has been the California-Hawaii Elks Magazine Editor Since 2008. Ted was born and raised in southern Minnesota. He attended Mankato State College, now called Minnesota State University Mankato, for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1965. His years in the service were spent in Del Rio, TX, Phan Rang, Vietnam and Victorville, CA being honorably discharged in 1969.

Upon his release from active duty, Ted stayed in the Los Angeles area working for Transamerica Insurance before entering the printing industry in 1971. He stayed in the printing industry for the next 40 plus years working primarily in sales. While in sales, he became a self-taught graphic artist. He had difficulty getting exactly what he wanted for his customers from the graphic artists he was using and was encouraged by a friend to do it himself. Ted found that he truly loved the design aspect of the printing industry and being able to use his creativity was very satisfying.

Ted was initiated and became a member of the Santa Clarita Lodge 2379 in January, 2009. Because of his graphics background he was put to work almost immediately as the Santa Clarita Elks newsletter editor, a position he still holds today. His work on the newsletter has been rewarded with first place awards in Division III every year. In his first year as an Elk, he was also appointed Public Relations Chairman for the Santa Clarita Elks and the Metropolitan District. He still serves and said he would continue to serve the Lodge and Metropolitan District in those same capacities as long as they want his services. Ted was installed as Exalted Ruler in 2014-2015, the same year Skip Henke, another Santa Clarita Lodge member, served CHEA as its President.

Ted has three happily married daughters and six grandchildren. Two of his daughters are also members of the Santa Clarita Lodge.