Thad O’Neil was born and raised in Suffolk County near the Great South Bay. Thad’s mother, a practicing chiropractor and decade term public library board member, and his father a retired public school teacher and track coach, instilled in him the value of care, commitment and service within the community.
Thad has long been dedicated to environmental conservation; he co-founded the Fire Place Initiative and Bluewater Vagabond Surf Festival, a not-for-profit that is focused on creating equal access to the natural environment.
Thad is a staunch advocate for education; he is an associate adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design, part of New School University in Manhattan, and believes strongly in the need for quality education for all.
Thad supports small business and is, himself, an entrepreneur; he started an award winning small business over 10 years ago and knows the importance of supporting small businesses to promote thriving communities with diverse opportunities.
Thad earned his Masters in Philosophy at Stony Brook University. When he is not teaching or learning, running a business and a nonprofit, he is surfing on the beaches of Smith’s Point and Cupsogue or avidly playing tennis while raising his two children Cassius and Cleomë with his wife, Pania Rose and their Irish wolfhound, Tempelton, python, King Kiki, and parakeet, Mr. Bowinkles.