Alumnus Tom O’Neill ’88 Provides Major Assistance in Return to In-Person Learning

Saint Viator AlumNUS Provides Major Assistance in Return to In-person Learning

Tom O’Neill ’88

With his role of running the North American operations for Würth Group, you might be surprised to find any free time in Tom O’Neill’s schedule under normal circumstances. Add in the need to completely pivot many of the businesses in the North American family of the privately-owned $14B worldwide and $1.3B in North American industrial and consumer products company to find COVID solutions, and you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who has been busier since March of this year. That makes it all the more remarkable that Tom serves on the executive committee of the Saint Viator Board of Trustees and chairs the enrollment committee. “Würth Group has been involved in PPE production and distribution for several years but over the last six months it has been central to our business,” O’Neill said. “The work our company has done has been nothing short of remarkable.”

O’Neill notes that Würth has ramped up a new division called Würth Essentials specifically for products related to the COVID battle. “With 90 distribution centers across North America, we can move products quickly to meet customer demand.”

He pointed to an early investment in nitrile gloves, PAPR respirators, and developing an organic hand sanitizer that is 70% purified alcohol so that frequent use does not damage skin, as steps taken in recent months to position the company as an industry leader in the fight against the pandemic. Aside from his role on the Board of Trustees, Tom has a son who is a senior at Saint Viator this year, so he watched with a careful eye as our administration developed strategies for a safe return to in-person learning this fall. With his finger on the pulse of health and safety in business and institutional settings, Tom was among the first to offer assistance to develop a safe Return to Learn plan connecting with Saint Viator President Brian Liedlich and Director of Building and Grounds Stephan Burks to assess the need at the school.

“Inventory changes by the day,” O’Neill said. “Products available today might be gone tomorrow.” As an initial step, O’Neill delivered 10,000 gloves to the school in just two days. Orders for sanitizer and other products followed quickly and consistently. “Tom’s commitment to keeping our community safe has been instrumental in our ability to open school this fall,” said Liedlich. “He has acted boldly and reliably to help us through something we have never encountered before.” For his part, O’Neill said “It makes me feel very proud and honored to be a part of the Saint Viator community. As a parent, I am very comfortable to send my son there every day because of the safety plan they have put in place.” He also praised the work of new school nurse, Pamela Kelly. “Saint Viator took the precautions; they did the due diligence and made investments to protect kids and teachers. I am humbled to be a part of that institution.” In recent weeks, the latest product from the Würth Group has found its way to Saint Viator. New sanistations have been placed at the primary entrances to the school allowing everyone who arrives a clean and easy means of sanitizing hands as they enter. The stations are branded specifically for Saint Viator. “We want to make a movement to help institutions to protect employees,” said O’Neill. Thanks to the generosity of great alumni like Tom O’Neill, our community is in good (sanitized) hands.

Tom’s commitment to keeping our community safe has been instrumental in our ability to open school this fall. He “ has acted boldly and reliably to help us through something we have never encountered before.

- Brian Liedlich

It makes me feel very proud and honored to be a part of the Saint Viator community. As a parent, I am “ very comfortable to send my son there every day because of the safety plan they have put in place.