LBJ School alumnus Joseph O'Neill (MPAff '73) has been named UT Graduate School's Outstanding Alumnus for 2016. This award recognizes an alumnus/a of the Graduate School for academic or professional achievements since graduating from the university.
LBJ School Dean Angela Evans noted, "Joe has sought excellence at every step of his career and the School and the university are fortunate to have such a dedicated partner as a key leader in our alumni community. Even with such an outstanding background, Joe remains one of the most modest, kind and service-oriented individuals with whom I have had the pleasure to work. We congratulate him on this prestigious award and well-deserved recognition."
O'Neill will be honored at the Graduate School's Convocation on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Bass Concert Hall. The ceremony, beginning at 9 a.m. will be livestreamed, the link for which will be posted on http://gradschool.utexas.edu/ on the day of the event.
As part of his award, O'Neill was able to select a student to receive a fellowship award. His selection, Ashley Shew, was a part of the inaugural cohort of the DC Concentration program.
O'Neill graduated as a government major from Harvard College prior to attending the LBJ School. From 1980 to 1985, he was chief of staff to Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX), and continued his career with Bentsen during his vice presidential campaign, as well as a member of his U.S. Department of Treasury transition team. He later served as president of the National Retail Federation, taking on the role of the industry's chief trade advisor before the World Trade Organization. O'Neill returned to the LBJ School as a faculty member before taking a position as an economic consultant for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
He is currently the president and CEO of Public Strategies Washington, Inc. (PSW), one of Washington's leading public affairs firms. In addition to his work at PSW, O'Neill is a member of a number of civic and corporate boards, including the board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. He currently serves as the chair of The University of Texas's LBJ School Advisory Council.