By Ashley Reyes
TC Olsen is the SEMA Young Executives Network’s (YEN) newest spotlight member. Olsen is the director of talent acquisition at LKQ Corporation, a provider of alternative and specialty parts to repair and accessorize automobiles. Get to know what keeps him in the industry in his interview with SEMA, below.
SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?
TC Olsen: It's more of a guiding principle: "Good, Better, Best. Don't ever let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best." I've whispered that saying to myself thousands of times, especially when facing adversity.
SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?
TO: I grew up in an automotive family that consisted of many "backyard mechanics." I have a level of respect for the automotive industry as a whole, which stems from many childhood memories under a hood, climbing through a salvaged vehicle and running through the pits of dirt tracks.
I see the generational gap growing as more automotive professionals are pulled into other industries due to the lack of education, awareness, and support. I feel we need to protect the future of the industry by driving awareness and involvement during the early education of our youth.
SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?
TO: You can find me coaching. I have a passion for coaching youth sports. I've been coaching youth sports for almost 10 years.
SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?
TO: I research, plan, establish visuals, rehearse, and execute.
SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?
TO: I would go to lunch with Elon Musk. I'd be interested to hear his strategy on revolutionizing the industry and understand where he sees it going in the next 5-10 years.
If you are a current YEN member, fill out a YEN member spotlight form. Selected candidates may be featured on YEN’s social media, SEMA eNews and YEN-member updates.