Rod O'Neal JR Whitsett www.mrwhitsettinc.com
R
od O’Neal was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and graduated from Clark High School. He later matriculated to University of Nevada, Reno where he studied in the concentration of Business Administration. While attending the University of Nevada, Reno, O’Neal was initiated into the Theta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1989 he went on to complete the Military Police Officer Basic Course Program. During America's entrance into the Persian Gulf War and the Operation Desert Shield/Storm War in 1990, O’Neal was a commissioned First Lieutenant Military Police Officer. Upon his completion of his tour in Iraq, Brother O’Neal graduated from the Nevada Peace Officers’ Standards and Training (POST) Academy and started his career in public service in law enforcement as a Police Officer for the State of Nevada Gaming Control Board Enforcement Division. He served as an Agent until promoted as a Senior Agent of Field
Services Unit. During his employment with the State of Nevada Gaming Control Board, Brother O’Neal started a Cleaners business serving as the company’s Vice President. The company later expanded into concessions at the McCarran International Airport located in Las Vegas, Nevada and operates five (5) Mrs. Field’s/TCBY, three (3) Port of Subs, Popeye’s Chicken and Biscuits, Jody Maroni’s, Vienna Beef Hotdogs, and an Accessories for Wireless Store. He expanded the company into the SeattleTacoma International Airport located in SeaTac, Washington where he owns the Africa Lounge and Mountain Room bars in the A concourse. The bars received the Airports Council International (ACI) award for best locations in an airport in North America. He operates the largest African American owned companies in the states of Washington and Nevada based on the number of employees and gross receipts in excess of $11 Millon collectively. WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | FEBRUARY 2020
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