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>>> Background Name: Joel Christopher Odens Nickname: Ozzie Birthplace: Mason City, Iowa Hobbies: Sports. Travel. History. Raising our kids. Previous work experience: 1996-1998 Civil Engineering Consultants, Des Moines, Iowa 1998-2005 BRW/URS, Minneapolis 2005-present Olsson Associates, Minneapolis (Edina) >>> Olsson Life Job title: Landscape Architect Describe your job in 100 words or less: As a member of our small but mighty Urban Design and Planning group in Edina, I focus heavily on the pedestrian experience and creating memorable, efficient successful spaces. Along with the development of parks and streetscapes, I enjoy assisting the Land Development group with commercial and residential master planning and landscape plans. Turning liabilities into assets and adding value to our firms work as a result of my design background and experience is something I strive to do every day. How would you describe your job to a 6-year-old? I draw pictures of outdoor spaces/places people would like to visit and get to color them with a huge assortment of colored pencils and markers. What is the most challenging part of your job? Keeping the engineers away from my colored pencils and markers. How would you describe a typical Olsson employee? Motivated. Energetic. Team player What three words would you use to describe Olsson Associates? Nimble. Dedicated. Optimistic What do you like most about working at Olsson? Freedom to pursue your interests with the backing of your practice group/team. >>> Miscellany Favorite musician/group: U2 Favorite song: Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles Favorite movie: Star Wars IV: A New Hope Favorite junk food: Greasy thin crust sausage pizza and a cold Coke. Worst job you ever had: Aluminum excursion factory in Yankton, South Dakota, working the 12-hour night shift (made me appreciate my education a little more). Favorite city: Vernazza, Italy First thing you do when you walk into your house after work: Greet my three rowdy offspring and relieve my wife, Ann. Superpower you’d like to have: The ability to fly (anyone remember Greatest American Hero?). Role model: Grandparents >>> Philosophical Three things you are passionate about: Family. History. Baseball (especially my son’s team and the Minnesota Twins). Have you had a life-changing experience? Please explain. Two major things come to mind. One was my first trip overseas (6-week honeymoon backpacking in Europe and Asia). The other would have to be the birth of our kids (responsibility!) How do you find balance in your life? Kids and hobbies. What one piece of advice would you give someone who is just starting his/her career? Work hard. Be willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done and be persistent.