At almost 3 years old, my daughter Madison is both my biggest supporter and greatest
joy. Becoming a dad was the single most consequential event in my life and has reshaped
my perspective on many things. One of those is the desire to make sure Dearborn is the
same incredible city for Madison to grow up in that it was for me.
My wife of five years Melissa, was also born and raised in this city and
unapologetically proud of our hometown. Although we met and fell in love while living
and working in downtown Detroit, when it was time to make a home and start a family, we
both knew there was only place to do that — Dearborn.
Most who knew my dad John B. O’Reilly Jr., knew him as Jack. But he was always just
“Dad” to me. He was a mentor, hero, and model for the public servant I hope to be. My
dad would also want me to mention that I am a grandson of John B. O’Reilly Sr., who was
all those things to him. For me, he was the cool grandpa with the great stories. My mom,
Chris, continues to be the emotional rock of our family and someone who’se guidance I
could not embark on this endeavor without.
I had the privilege of growing up in two of Dearborn’s most vibrant communities; steps
from Levagood Park and Aviation Subdivision. While they are almost opposite geographical
ends of the city, they are home to an incredibly diverse set of neighbors and cultures
that make Dearborn great.
I am a 3rd generation product of St. Alphonsus School that sat on Warren and Shaefer. I
was also part of one of the first high school classes to graduate from Henry Ford
Academy charter school at Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. I then attended the
University of Michigan Dearborn and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business and
marketing.
You can often hear me on podcasts or in person celebrating our city’s successes, while
also serving as one of its biggest defenders. Like my father did years ago, when
Dearborn was unfairly attacked by bigots and ignorant people in the media, I have stood
up to detailing the lies and ignorance of others while speaking to my amazing experience
growing up and living here.
I believe Dearborn is Michigan's greatest small business city. Our business community
gives us a sense of community, identity, and uniqueness. For almost 15 years I have
helped entrepreneurs across the city and region thrive and I know what it takes to help
small business of Dearborn succeed.
I have the great honor of serving as the vice-chair of the West Dearborn Downtown
Development Authority, a role that has helped me deeply understand the needs and issues
facing small business and property owners in the city and use my position to help them
thrive.
My record of success includes partnering with General Motors on a unique grant program
to support small businesses throughout the city of Detroit who needed it the most. The
NeighborHUB program I created has distributed over $2.4 million in grants in 7 years of
operation.
15 years ago I launched my first and only business venture, a magazine dedicated solely
to the city of Dearborn. Reborn Magazine was truly a labor of love and allowed me to
immerse myself in all of the events, places, and people. Owning and running the magazine
for four years gave me immeasurable experience and perspective into business ownership
as well as storytelling.
Dearborn is a city quite literally founded on innovation and the belief that all
Americans should have an opportunity to pursue the American dream. In my professional
career, I have created and managed new programs and initiatives for the Detroit Regional
Chamber. I helped to develop one of the first automotive technology focused co-working
spaces in downtown Detroit that led to several high growth startup companies opening new
offices in this region and forging new partnerships with the largest companies in the
state. I will continue to support those home-grown innovative thinkers to be a part of
this city’s future and continue our legacy as a city of big ideas.
Working together this city has limitless potential. Successful economic development
requires strategic partnership, collaboration, and community buy-in. Spending my
professional career focused on those same principles has given me the experience and
perspective to help lead the city into it’s next chapter. Strengthening partnerships
with our largest employer, Ford Motor Company, and identifying new and exciting
businesses to start, grow, and hire in Dearborn will be one of my most important
focuses.
My network of friends, colleagues, and mentors is incredibly diverse. Over the years it
has helped me understand the value of hearing a vast set of perspectives and surrounding
yourself with differing viewpoints. At my core, I seek to bring people together to solve
problems and improve lives through building consensus on those things we can find
agreement on. As my father said repeatedly for decades, we are infinitely stronger as
one team, one Dearborn.
Currently I serve as the senior director for Leadership Development at the Detroit
Regional Chamber, which includes leading various key programs that help to create the
next generation of leaders in Michigan. Chief among those is Leadership Detroit, a
45-year-old leadership development program that has been fostering collaboration,
kinship, and personal growth for some of the regions foremost executives, and public
sector leaders. “Leading the leaders” has been a humbling experience that has taught me
invaluable lessons about life. It has demonstrated to me how to empower others through
servant leadership and service. We are so much more impactful when everyone is engaged
and contributing to a shared vision.
