William Thomas Odum, Advisor, U.S. Navy (Ret'd).

William Thomas Odum served 15 years with The Columbia Group as a past member of the Board of Directors, Advisor and Consultant.

Mr. Odum worked for the Navy Coastal Systems Center for 37 years during which time he held various positions from Project Leader to Head of the Ocean Engineering Department. Some of the major programs that fell under his direction included the Sea Lab Habitats, The Large Object Salvage System, the MK VI SEAL Delivery Vehicle, Sea Nettle, and the MK 14 Saturation Diving System. Mr. Odum also was responsible for the design and construction of the Ocean Simulation Facility.

Prior to his work with the U.S. Navy, Mr. Odum was an engineer with Hayes Aircraft as well as with Harley Davidson Motor Company. During his tenure with Harley Davidson, Mr. Odum was involved in the design and testing of racing motorcycles. Testing was accomplished in the laboratory and in competition on road courses, dirt tracks, and motor cross courses.

Mr. Odum served in the U.S. Marine Corps with the First Pioneer Battalion in China. He also served in Vietnam as a Navy civilian engineer supporting naval Special Warfare, Swimmer Defense, and Shallow Water Mine Countermeasures.