Robert "Bobby O" Olszewski | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theFlorida House of Representatives from the 44th district | |
| In office October 10, 2017 – November 6, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Eric Eisnaugle |
| Succeeded by | Geraldine Thompson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1977-09-06)September 6, 1977 (age 48) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Allison |
| Children | Reagan |
| Alma mater | University of Central Florida(B.A.) Rollins College(M.A.) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University(M.S.) Northcentral University(Ph.D.) |
| Profession | Management Consultant |
Robert "Bobby O" Olszewski (born September 6, 1977) is an author and former American politician who previously served as a member of theFlorida House of Representatives, representing the 44th District which includedWindermere,Winter Garden,Gotha,Lake Buena Vista,Oakland, parts ofOcoee, and theDr. Phillips,Horizon West, andWilliamsburg communities in SouthwestOrange County.[1] The district containedWalt Disney World,Universal Studios Florida,SeaWorld,International Drive, and theOrange County Convention Center.
Dr. Bobby Olszewski is the author of Grand Slam Leadership: Using Baseball Principles and Strategies to Win in Business and Life, a book endorsed byNational Baseball Hall of Fame memberBarry Larkin andMajor League Baseball All-Stars andWorld Series ChampionsJohnny Damon andAJ Pierzynski, that turns timeless lessons from America’s pastime into practical leadership strategies for success in business and life that is available on Amazon in hardback, paperback, and Kindle formats.[2] Grand Slam Leadership was featured nationally in Florida Politics,[3] Legends On Deck[4], and Insider Weekly[5]
After graduating fromDr. Phillips High School inOrlando, Olszewski earned an undergraduate double major from theUniversity of Central Florida in Radio/Television (B.A.) and Organizational Communication (B.A.), as well as two master’s degrees in Management (M.S.) fromEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Corporate Communication & Technology (M.A.) fromRollins College. Olszewski also earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration fromNorthcentral University.[6] Dr. Olszewski's published doctoral dissertation Donor Motivations for Donating to a Nonprofit Without a Previous Relationship, which was cited by multiple peer-reviewed research sources, conducted a quantitative analysis of surveyed donors from theBasilica of Mary, Queen of the Universe in theDiocese of Orlando.[7]
Since 2023, Olszewski has served as Vice President of Government and Community Relations forGlobal-5, a Central Florida-based public relations, marketing, and digital production agency specializing in transportation, government, and nonprofits.[8] Prior to joining Global-5, Olszewski was the managing principal of Emerson Management & Consulting Group, Inc. and was president of Florida Laboratories in Orlando in addition to serving as theOrange CountyCommunity Action Agency Board Chairman[9] and Chairman of the RoperYMCA Board of Directors with theYMCA of Central Florida.[10] For over a decade, Olszewski served as the national spokesperson and media relations chair for theButkus Award presented by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc. named in honor ofPro Football Hall of Fame andCollege Football Hall of Fame memberDick Butkus.[11] He also served as a sports agent representingPGA Tour golfers including two-timeU.S. Open ChampionLee Janzen as well asmotocross andsupercross athletes includingX Games gold medal winner and AMA SX/MX ChampionRicky Carmichael. He additionally worked withFlorida Citrus Sports, the presenters of theCitrus Bowl game, and theGinn Open, anLPGA Tour event, as well as creating sports marketing coursework for theUniversity of California Irvine.[12] He is the former Corporate Partnership Consultant forSpecial Olympics Florida.[13] Olszewski additionally served as a television analyst forSpectrum News 13[14] andWFTVABC 9 in Orlando, the nation's 15th largestmedia market.[15] Olszewski[16] has been involved with theOrlando Dreamersexpansion of Major League Baseball[17] efforts to acquire aMajor League Baseball team forOrlando.[18] He was appointed by theOrange County Commission to serve on the 2025 Mid-Decennial Redistricting Advisory Committee, which drew new district lines after voters approved Charter Amendment 6 to expand the county’s districts from six to eight.[19]
Olszewski became a City Commissioner inWinter Garden. He was first elected with 71 percent of the vote and ran unopposed for his second term.[20] Commissioner Olszewski helped save a 1-year-old beagle puppy named Rufus from being euthanized[21] and helped bring baseball to Winter Garden with the Winter Garden Squeeze of theFlorida Collegiate Summer League.[22] Olszewski was the only Winter Garden Commissioner to vote against removing prayer from the commission meetings stating his vote was “the most indicative of defending the Constitution.”[23] WhenMajor League Baseball'sHouston Astros andWashington Nationals were looking to leave their respectiveSpring Training homes in theFloridaGrapefruit League, Commissioner Olszewski reached out to both organizations about moving theirSpring Training toWinter Garden.[24] The Astros came for a tour ofWinter Garden but decided on moving toWest Palm Beach in the sharedCacti Park of the Palm Beaches with the Nationals. Commissioner Olszewski served on theWest Orange Chamber of Commerce board of directors and was a graduate of their Leadership West Orange program.[25] He additionally is a graduate of theOrange County Public Schools Leadership Orange program as well as theOrlando Economic Partnership Political Leadership Institute.[26] TheUniversity of Central Florida Alumni Association highlighted his service as a Winter Garden Commissioner.[27] Olszewski was runner-up[28] for theOrange County Commission[29] race in District 1[30] where he was endorsed byMajor League Baseball All-Star andWorld Series ChampionJohnny Damon andJoey Fatone ofN Sync.[31]
AfterEric Eisnaugle was appointed by GovernorRick Scott to serve as a judge on Florida'sFifth District Court of Appeal, Olszewski won theRepublican primary in the special election.[32] In the general election, he won with 56 percent of the vote.[33] Rep. Bobby Olszewski sent a letter[34] to Big 12 CommissionerBob Bowlsby lobbying theBig 12 Conference to add theUniversity of Central Florida (UCF)[35] and theUniversity of South Florida (USF).[36] Media throughout the Orlando and Tampa Bay markets supported Olszewski's efforts advocating for theUCF Knights andUSF Bulls.[37] Representative Olszewski passed HB 487 in theFlorida House, which was included in a larger committee bill passing in theFlorida Senate, allowing child sex-trafficking survivors to receive specialized care at hospitals and residential treatment centers throughout the state.[38] Rep. Olszewski additionally passed two bills in theFlorida House to allow lost or abandoned personal property at theme parks or entertainment complexes to be donated directly to a charity or nonprofit[39] and a bill that would require pet owners to do all they can to shelter their animal companions in the event of a hurricane or declared emergency.[40] Representative Olszewski was presented awards for his legislative achievements from organizations including theFlorida Chamber of Commerce,[41] theFlorida League of Cities,[42] and theFlorida Alliance for Consumer Protection,[43] the latter earning him praise from theOrlando Sentinel.[44] Olszewski ran for reelection to the House, being challenged by former state senatorGeraldine Thompson. Thompson went on to defeat Olszewski in the general election by 1%.[45]