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2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
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2004 Graduated from Marshall University with a master ’ s degree
2005 Moved to Freeport , TX , as a senior production leader for Dow
2006 Daughter , Madelyn , was born
2008 Moved back to WV
2011 Graduated from Leadership WV
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2016 Joined the WVU Tech Alumni board
2017 Joined United Way of Central WV ’ s board of directors
2018 Became Dow ’ s WV operations site director , named chair of the board for the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce and joined the Leadership WV board of directors
2019 Joined WVU Tech Chemical Engineering advisory board , became chair of the Chemical Alliance Zone and received Champions of Industry Award from the WV Manufacturers Association
2023 Joined the WV Regional Technology Park board
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businesses — not just the people working in the businesses but also our customers and suppliers ,” O ’ Neal says .
O ’ Neal graduated from West Virginia University Institute of Technology with a bachelor ’ s degree in chemical engineering , quickly landing a job in Texas in the environmental protection department of a company called Union Carbide ( Dow ). He then moved up to a production engineer position , then again to improvement engineer .
After working for multiple businesses in Texas , O ’ Neal was led back home to West Virginia , where he worked at different plant facilities before becoming the site director for Dow ’ s West Virginia operations .
O ’ Neal considers navigating through COVID-19 both a great obstacle and one of his proudest moments while working as site director . During the pandemic , Dow had to continue normal operations while keeping its staff safe . O ’ Neal had to communicate daily with his team and adjust to new guidelines .
“ One way I managed stress during the pandemic was by getting my family outside on West Virginia trails when possible . You could socially distance and still enjoy the mountain air ,” he recalls .
To help with demand , Dow began manufacturing hand sanitizer , an addition that contributed largely to the community .
“ I never could ’ ve imagined that we would partner with the state and National Guard to ensure that emergency services , hospitals and the health care industry had the hand sanitizer they needed ,” O ’ Neal says . “ We helped
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meet those immediate needs in our community .”
He accepted an environmental health safety and sustainability director role before being promoted to information technology / operations technology director . In his current role , he leads operational excellence and support services and is responsible for corporate operating best practices at Dow .
While always busy with work , he values most spending time with his wife , Heather , and daughter , Maddie .
Along with his professional role , O ’ Neal volunteers for United Way of Central West Virginia , St . Jude Children ’ s Research Hospital and Habitat for Humanity . He even helped raise more than $ 91,000 for United Way by participating in the United Way Dancing with the Stars in 2023 with Megan Hannah and Brooke Smolder .
“ I feel it is a privilege to be of service to our communities ,” he says . “ It is personally fulfilling as every person can use some help or assistance at various times in their life .”
O ’ Neal notes his parents as well as the scientists and engineers who inspired him as his mentors , and both inside and outside of Dow he has become a mentor in his own right . He considers helping others grow and develop his greatest professional achievement .
" Our time is short ,” O ’ Neal says . “ If we can enable success by paying it forward to the individuals who support us , we can greatly improve our future . We have to pass the baton to make the broader world and our community better .” •
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