2014 Grand Marshal John O’Connell
The date on John’s AOH travel card says he’s been a Major Degree Hibernian since 1997, and it wasn’t long after that that he started serving in leadership roles, starting at the Division level, and then the county, state and now on the Order’s National Board.
He was elected to Division President for three terms, 2004-06;
He was elected Nassau County recording secretary on the county board for a two-year term while still division president, 2005-2007;
He was elected to a two-year term as Nassau County President of the County Board in 2007;
He was named Aide to the Grand Marshal of the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2009;
He was appointed state Publicity Chairman by State President Chip McLean in 2009;
John was elected New York State District 6 Director in 2011 to 13;
He was re-appointed state Publicity Chairman by State President Jim Burke in 2013;
And in 2011 he was asked by National President Seamus Boyle to serve as the National Editor of the Hibernian Digest, the newspaper that goes to all AOH and subscribing LAOH members all over the country. He was asked to continue in that position by National President Brendan Moore.
John was named Division 8 Hibernian of the Year in 2011 and Nassau County Hibernian of the Year in 2012.
Besides his Hibernian activities, John has served as Treasurer, Vice President and three terms as President of the Press Club of Long Island, the local chapter of the national Society of Professional Journalists.
John has just celebrated his 20th anniversary as a community journalist, his second career, following 20 years in human resources.
John is a graduate in English of Cathedral College, Douglaston, and studied in an Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama Program in Ireland’s Trinity College and University College Dublin.
