President & CEO Profile

Mark B. Elfendahl President & CEO

Olmsted Scholar Class '99

  • Rank:

    Colonel
  • Branch:

    Army
  • Status:

    Retired
  • City of Study:

    Jena, Germany
  • University:

    Friedrich Schiller University
  • Language School:

    Defense Language Institute
  • Language:

    German
  • Assignments:
  • 2026 - Present:

    President & CEO

    The George and Carol Olmsted Foundation

    Falls Church, VA
  • 2021 - 2026:

    Executive Vice President

    The George and Carol Olmsted Foundation

    Falls Church, VA
  • 2018 - 2021:

    Vice President

    The George and Carol Olmsted Foundation

    Falls Church, VA
  • 2016 - 2018:

    Secretary-Treasurer

    The George and Carol Olmsted Foundation

    Falls Church, VA
  • 2016:

    Retired
  • 2015 - 2016:

    Chief of Plans, JPSE
    USTRANSCOM Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC)
    Norfolk, VA
  • 2014 - 2015:

    Deployed to CJ35

    HQ ISAF
    Kabul, Afghanistan
  • 2013 - 2014:

    Chief of Plans, JPSE
    USTRANSCOM Joint Enabling Capabilites Command (JECC)
    Norfolk, VA
  • 2012 - 2013:

    Student

    Joint Advanced Warfighting School

    Joint Forces Staff College
    Norfolk, VA
  • 2010 - 2012:

    Chief

    Joint and Army Concept Division

    HQ TRADOC

    Ft. Eustis, VA
  • 2009 - 2010:

    Speechwriter to Commanding General
    TRADOC

    Ft. Monroe, VA
  • 2006 - 2009:

    Future Warfare Officer

    HQ TRADOC, ARCIC

    Ft. Monroe, VA
  • 2005 - 2006:

    Ground Plans Officer

    CJ5, Combined Forces Afghanistan
    Kabul, Afghanistan
  • 2003 - 2004:

    Deputy Operations Officer

    Army Operations Center

    HQDA
    Pentagon
  • 2002 - 2003:

    Chief
    Strategic Plans and Policy

    7th Army Training Command
    Grafenwoehr, Germany
  • 2001 - 2002:

    Operations Officer

    2nd Battalion, 63rd Armor
    Operations Officer

    3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division
    Vilseck, Germany
  • 1999 - 2001:

    Olmsted Scholar Program

    Jena, Germany
  • 1996 - 1998:

    Commander

    C Company, 2nd Battalion

    81st Armor, 1st Armor Training Brigade

    1st Infantry Division

    Ft. Knox, KY
  • 1995 - 1996:

    Assistant Operations Officer

    1st Armor Training Brigade

    Ft. Knox, KY
  • 1993 - 1995:

    Assistant Operations Officer
    Commander

    B Troop, 1st Squadron

    4th Cavalry Regiment

    1st Infantry Division

    Ft. Riley, KS
  • 1993 - 1993:

    Student

    Armor Officer Advanced Course

    U.S. Army Armor School

    Ft. Knox, KY
  • 1990 - 1993:

    Scout Platoon Leader

    I Troop and Support Platoon Leader
    Headquarters and Headquarters Troop

    3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Bad Hersfeld, Germany
  • 1990 - 1990:

    Student
    Ranger Course

    Ft. Benning, GA

    Scout Platoon Leader Course

    Ft. Knox, KY
  • 1989 - 1990:

    Student

    Armor Officer Basic Course

    U.S. Army Armor School

    Ft. Knox, KY
  • Education:
  • 2013:

    MS, Strategy and Campaign Planning,  National Defense University
  • 2001:

    MA, International Relations, University of Jena (Friedrich Schiller)
  • 1989:

    BS, Political Science, United States Military Academy

James (Jamie) G. Foggo
Chairman | Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired)

Olmsted Scholar Class '87
Mark B. Elfendahl
President & CEO | Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)

Olmsted Scholar Class '99
Kurt W. Tidd
Director | Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired)

Olmsted Scholar Class '84
Amb. Kristie Kenney
Director | Career Ambassador, U.S. Department of State (Retired)
Steven M. Shepro
Director | Lieutenant General, U.S. Air Force (Retired)

Olmsted Scholar Class '93
Nadja Y. West
Director | Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Retired)
Gordon (Skip) B. Davis Jr.
Director | Major General, U.S. Army (Retired)

Olmsted Scholar Class '89
Christina Bembenek
Active Duty Director | Colonel, U.S. Army

Olmsted Scholar Class '09
Mark Anderson
Active Duty Director | Captain, U.S. Navy

Olmsted Scholar Class '12
Kira Coffey
Active Duty Director | Colonel, U.S. Air Force

Olmsted Scholar Class '16
James Armstrong
Active Duty Director | Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps

Olmsted Scholar Class '14
Sean Cosden
Executive Vice President | Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Retired)

Olmsted Scholar Class '06