Brent Olson — Executive Director, Internal Audit

Brent Olson leads NREL's Office of Internal Audit, overseeing risk-based, independent, and objective internal audit services for the laboratory.

Using a flexible internal audit plan aligned to NREL's strategic priorities, Olson supports the evaluation and improvement of NREL's governance, risk management, and control processes. He provides impactful assurance on high-risk areas to NREL and U.S. Department of Energy stakeholders. NREL's Internal Audit team follows global standards set by The Institute of Internal Auditors and maintains a robust quality assurance program. Olson also oversees reviews of fraud, waste, and abuse allegations.

Prior to joining NREL, Olson gained extensive experience in external and internal audit roles with global public accounting firms, a large publicly traded automotive manufacturer, and the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General. Throughout his career, Olson has successfully led numerous audits, internal controls, and enterprise risk management reviews for government entities and publicly traded and private organizations.

Olson holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Northern Michigan University and is a certified public accountant, certified internal auditor, and certified fraud examiner.