User:MikeODAZ/sandbox

Michael O'Donnell, Arizona Executive
 Early life 

O’Donnell was born October 9th in Phoenix, AZ, son of Mike O’Donnell Senior of Denver, Colorado and Donna Wright of Charles City, Iowa. His father was in the oil business starting with Ewing & O’Donnell then moving to the steam energy business with Geothermal Kinetics throughout the southwest United States. His Mother, Donna, was an original flight attendant with American Airlines, until spending more time with Birthright of Arizona Charity and raising her children in Denver and Phoenix. O’Donnell has two sisters Shawn and Patrice, and one step sister, Michelle.

O’Donnell attended Brophy College Prep and Central High School, graduating in 1986 while maintaining an elected state seat with DECA, which prepared emerging leaders and entrepreneurs to be college and career-ready, continuing on to San Diego State University and then Northern Arizona University where he graduated with a Speech Communications degree along with a Pre-Law minor. O’Donnell was an active member of the Delta Chi fraternity while introducing and inducting snowboarding for the first time to the Arizona Snowbowl in 1988.

 Career  After college, O’Donnell partnered in several restaurants in San Diego, CA including Coconuts on Shelter Island and Bug’s Beach Club. From there O’Donnell entered the liquor industry creating new interactive engagement campaigns with brands including Jose Cuervo Tequila, Sam Adams Beer, and others. O’Donnell then followed his passion of music and entered into the radio industry at 91X in San Diego, then to KZON 101.5FM ‘The ZONE’ in Phoenix, Arizona introducing the liquor activation's to local radio which developed into annual music festivals. From account executive, to on-air reggae shows called ‘Wake and Bake with Mike OD’ to Sales and Operations Management, O’Donnell continued his career by investing and launching KFSZ 106.1 in Flagstaff, Arizona. O'Donnell also revived failing Econo Lube franchises through their rebranding to Meineke through his OD Petroleum, LLC company. Throughout these years, O’Donnell has been an extra in several movies including Forrest Gump directed by Robert Zemeckis, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey amongst others.

In 2012, O’Donnell became a professional event producer under R Entertainment, based out of Flagstaff and Scottsdale, AZ. He has 30+ years as an award-winning, top-level event development sales, marketing and management. Recognized as successfully developing, negotiating, executing and renewing first-in-class multi-marketing and revenue-driving event platforms. In 2018, O’Donnell launched Lucky Charm Presents as the Executive Director & Producer for festivals, events, concerts and sponsorships. This has carried into consulting for Forty8Live! and Wild Horse Pass at the Gila River Indian Community. He has been recognized for advancing the music careers of many Adult Alternative artists throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s. O’Donnell has been awarded several Sales Management awards by CBS Radio, Certified Radio Marketing Expert by the Radio Advertising Bureau, Premier Solutions Provider & Creative Problem Solving by Chancellor Creative Resources, Rhino Sales graduate from Rhino Media, Polaris Media & Marketing and Global Sales Development awards.

 Community service 

In 2010, O’Donnell helped launch Ear Candy Charity, a non-profit which sought to provide every child access to music education. This was created to fill the gap for the need of music education and the state of Arizona’s lack to help bridge the need. After school programs, Back Stage Class, Pass It Forward instrument drives and other outlets were all part of the charity’s mission. Ear Candy Charity became so successful that Little Kids Rock, on a national level, bought the charity in 2014.

In 2018, O’Donnell was inducted into the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame on the advisory counsel which was created to recognize and honor the contributions of musicians, entertainers, venues and individuals who have had a significant impact on the evolution and development of the musical and entertainment culture in the state of Arizona. O’Donnell sits on this counsel with peers and mentors who collectively have brought, and are currently bringing, great local and national entertainment to Arizona.

 Interests 

O’Donnell primary interest is raising his two children, Shea and Bodhi, from a previous marriage. O’Donnell is the owner of an off-road race team called Irish Renegade Racing. He participates in the SCORE International race league, mostly racing in events like the Baja 1000.