David O’Connell, Jr

Mr. O’Connell was born and raised in Evanston, Wyoming. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2004 with a degree in Business Management, alongside a minor in Finance. Mr. O'Connell began his professional career in Rock Springs, Wyoming, as a salesman for Weatherford International. There, he swiftly rose through the ranks, leading regional sales for the company just six months into his role. His performance allowed him to accept an offer with Cedar Rentals, an upstart oil and gas service company, to assist in selling their products. Mr. O’Connell would go on to manage the company for 15 years. In parallel, Mr. O'Connell's entrepreneurial spirit led him to start Aspen Tools, a complimentary oilfield tool rental company in Evanston which he has owned and managed for 14 years.

In these roles, Mr. O'Connell learned how to succeed in all aspects of small business. Beyond spearheading sales efforts, he excelled in inventory management, procurement, shipping logistics, accounts management, business development, and budgeting. Under David’s leadership, Cedar Rentals' profits grew to $2.5 million within two years. Concurrently, Aspen Tools flourished under his guidance, booking revenues of $700K within the first five years – all without incurring debt obligations. These achievements were underpinned by Mr. O'Connell's focus on building and maintaining lasting relationships, particularly within the Evanston community.

First-hand experience with multiple cyclical downturns in the oil and gas industry bestowed hard-fought lessons on navigating market volatility and portfolio risk. In a bid to diversify, David began investing in real estate and established a successful retail venture, which, in O’Connells’ 5 years of ownership, quintupled its sales. 

Buoyed by these successes, Mr. O’Connell chose to try his hand in the financial world.  Aligned as one of the initial shareholders to acquire State Bank in 2021, he joined the team as a VP of Business Development in April of that year. Mr. O’Connell is now responsible for the bank’s financials and business development, working closely with the CEO to successfully navigate through multiple call reports, bank examinations, and visitations during the bank’s return to profitability from 2021 to 2023. 

Mr. O'Connell extends his commitment to service beyond his professional pursuits. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Uinta County chapter of the Wyoming Community Foundation and the Wyoming Golf Association. He has a passion for his hometown and has been involved with many local charity events over the last 15 years.

David’s track record demonstrates his resolve to build businesses through tough times, while his no-task-is-too-small mentality is testament to his commitment to the bank's success. This blend of professional acumen, civic commitment, and enduring passion makes Mr. O'Connell a valuable asset to any organization. Embodying these qualities, David looks forward to leveraging his wealth of experiences and unwavering dedication to help State Bank thrive in the coming years.