From 2001 - 2012, O’Connell owned and operated Mountain Woods Furniture (MWF), a leading national designer/manufacturer of rustic hand-crafted furniture, which he sold in 2012. MWF’s products were sold through Cabelas, national furniture e-tailers, furniture stores, and to resorts and lodges desiring a rustic style. He provided over 6,000 paychecks to American manufacturing workers during his ownership of MWF. Prior to MWF, he worked in a variety of executive sales, marketing, and business unit management positions, including eleven years with Victor Industries, North America’s third largest manufacturer of metal cutting and welding equipment. O’Connell has a business degree with a marketing emphasis from Purdue University
He became Larimer SBDC Director in 2013, and by 2016 the Center was one of the top-performing centers in the State. “Our goal is to help maximize the economic potential of small businesses in Larimer County, through street-smart business education and connection to useful resources.” He presented “My Top Six Ways Businesses Get Into Trouble” at the 2017 ASBDC conference.
He has three children. He currently serves on the Larimer County Workforce Development Board, which deals with local workforce opportunities and issues, and the Northern Colorado Better Business Bureau board. He is also a professional musician, and plays classic 70s and 80s music at venues in Northern Colorado.
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