About

This is the main blog site for Shawn O’Donnell

Shawn was born in Houston, Texas in 1955, the second son of a SantaFe railroader and a registered nurse. The O’Donnell family grew to include six children and Shawn spent his formative years experiencing life in Texas, California, New Mexico, and Illinois.

From the age of ten Shawn has been working and, at the age of twenty four, started the first of what was to become a series of business ventures. Over three decades he expanded his ever growing business and management background and experience to include retail, manufacturing, information technology, start-ups, business development, and consulting. He’s been a sales and marketing director, founder and president of an educational services company, president and chief operating officer of various manufacturing companies and the chief financial officer of a computer software company.

A lifelong Democrat and resident of the First Congressional District for over 12 years, Shawn is an active member of numerous Democratic political organizations. But Shawn is about much more than business and politics. He is the former Chairman of the Stewardship Committee of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. Has been an advisor to parochial school boards, a member of parish finance councils and very active in other parish ministries.

Shawn is a great believer in lifetime learning and has been involved in a wide variety of ongoing courses, seminars, and studies including: Zope, Python, content management, various project management software, Total Quality Management (TQM), JIT Production, ISO in Manufacturing, Growth in International Markets, Contract Law, Family Leave Act, OSHA, Valuing the Closely Held Corporation, SEC Compliance, and even a master’s program in tool and die making. He is an honor graduate of the Corporate Lawyer’s Assistant Program at Roosevelt University and has taken advantage of the excellent educational offerings at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Governors State University, the University of Illinois and the University of Houston for studies in finance, economics, sales and marketing, international relations, and research.

Over the years Shawn has been an active member of various civic and professional associations including: Chambers of Commerce, Lions, Rotary Club, Civitan, Tooling and Manufacturing Association, Association of Mechanical Engineers, International Association of Software Professionals, the Virginia State Golf Association and the United States Golf Association.

Shawn is the author of numerous articles and commentaries about politics, business, and economics which have appeared in publications nationally and internationally. He has made guest appearances on radio, television, and Internet streaming media. Always looking to the future, he has been an active member of the blogosphere since its inception. He is coauthored the book, Rebuilding The Democratic Party From The Grassroots: The Ultimate Guidebook for Democrats.

COMMUNITY AND DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL BACKGROUND 

During a business career spanning thirty plus years, involved in many community and Democratic political activities including:

Virginia

- Member Obama Rapid Response, Virginia for Obama, Virginia Field Team, etc.

- Group Leader Rappahannock Region for Obama

- Petition Drive co-coordinator Virginia 1^st District

- Barack Obama for President supporter from January, 2007

- 2006 Democratic Candidate for Congress Virginia’s 1^st District

- DPVA

-“Straight Talk about Social Security” for Democratic activists and organizations 

-Involved in Democracy for America and Progressive Democrats of America

- Worked and organized for Tim Kaine for Governor

-Organized a DFA/DFV groups

-Volunteer for Kerry-Edwards 2004

Illinois

-Served on the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Pastoral Council as Chair of the Stewardship Committee and advisor to the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin

-Served on parish councils, parish finance councils, in various ministries, and as pastoral advisor

-Worked on educational programs and social justice issues

-Member of local Chamber of Commerce, Civitan, Kiwanis and Rotary organizations

-Candidate for Village President, Homewood, IL

-Managed campaigns for candidates for local offices in Illinois

-Active in various Democratic campaigns on the local, state, and national level, e.g. the senatorial campaigns of Paul Simon and the gubernatorial campaigns of Adlai Stevenson III.