Geir Olav has his MSc in Fish Health from Bergen University and a PhD from the same University on the interactions between the immune system and the physiological development of Atlantic salmon. Geir Olav has previously long experience in the aquaculture industry through various positions at MSD, SalmoBreed and Fishguard. He has also worked as an aquaculture teacher at Austevoll and as a journalist in the aquaculture magazine «Norsk Fiskeoppdrett». Before joining Benchmark Genetics, he was the CEO of Bergen Aquarium, a well-known institution in Bergen, Norway

Geir Olav is today Head of benchmark Salmon, a member of the Divisional Board of Benchmark Genetics, and a member of the Joint Venture Salmar Genetics board.