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Boisean Derick O'Neill will head United Way
Education and health care are Derick O'Neill's top priorities. He'll start work Feb. 1.
BY ANNA WEBB - awebb@idahostatesman.com
Copyright: © 2010 Idaho Statesman
Published: 01/21/10
A father of three, former youth football coach and Boise school board member, Derick O'Neill will take over for current United Way chief Sally Zive in running the agency that raised $5.9 million in 2008-2009 to distribute to local non-profits around the Valley.
Zive, who is stepping down to seek treatment for ovarian cancer, was paid $95,000 a year in 2007, United Way's tax filings show.
O'Neill, 43, is president and managing member of O'Neill Enterprises, a developer of residential and mixed-use communities.
He is a past president of the Boise School District Education Foundation and a member of the Treasure Valley YMCA Board of Directors. O'Neill has served with the Urban Land Institute, Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, and Boise Parks & Recreation.
The Statesman asked O'Neill about himself and his goals for the United Way:
Q: Why is this job a good fit for you?
A: I have been involved in the community for a number of years, and saw a need for leadership. I had always wanted to be involved with a nonprofit organization and this was a chance for me to give back to the community which has given a whole lot to me.
Q: What's the most pressing need in the community right now?
A: There are several, but I really think education, and the need to continue pressing for great quality education - all the way from early childhood to high school graduation.
In fact, my first meeting is on Thursday, about United Way's Born Learning program (which covers early education and kindergarten readiness).
Health issues also are critical around the country and also in the Treasure Valley - a growing trend of obesity and childhood obesity nationally and locally.
Q: How have you seen needs change in the community since you were a kid in Boise?
A: I've seen a big change in the demographic profile of the Treasure Valley - an increase in socio-economic and ethnic diversity.
Q: Did you have a seminal experience with volunteering that made you realize you wanted to follow that path?
A: There have been two. My involvement with the board and Director Jim Everett at the YMCA has been enlightening and has given me a great appreciation of the ways people can make this community better. Then, starting as a trustee on the Boise School Board and seeing the importance of education, first-hand, every day.
Those two positions align with my interests in health and education. Having phenomenal leaders like Everett and Boise schools Superintendent Stan Olson has given me a huge level of respect for what can be done.
Ever since I was a kid, my family has believed in giving back to the community. My father (developer Peter O'Neill) planted that seed. He was always involved in community issues, including education and Downtown redevelopment. He always shared his stories with me.
Q: What new or ongoing United Way project excites you most?
A: What I am excited about is the board's commitment to making sure United Way stays relevant to the community.
Q: How will you continue to build United Way's positive image?
A: I think I'm going to have a lot of energy and passion in communicating what United Way is about. That will involve a lot of talking to people, listening to people and working together.
Anna Webb: 377-6431
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