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The O'Neill Pine Company is a small, family-owned timber company
founded January 1, 1996. Company roots, however, trace back to
October 10, 1946, when the family patriarch, Robert Harold O'Neill joined Allen Hemphill as co-partner in
Hemphill Lumber Company. The new company became
Hemphill-O'Neill. Harold O'Neill was an engineer by training
with a passion for entrepreneurial activity that led him to own and
operate a number of businesses throughout his lifetime. It was
at age 57, in Hemphill-O'Neill, that he was able to build and leave
a legacy to his descendants that they, too, could enjoy the passion
of entrepreneurial efforts through the ownership and management of
timberlands.
In 1950 Harold's son, Robert Hugh O'Neill, joined the company
after graduating from Willamette University. The company
expanded through the acquisition of Holman Lumber in 1962 and the
purchase of the existing industrial site from the Owens family in
1976. The Professional Center was built in 1977, and in June
of that same year Robert's children, Debra and Bob O'Neill Jr., went
to work for Hemphill-O'Neill.
In 1981, the beloved patriarch and passionate entrepreneur,
Robert Harold O'Neill, passed away at age 90.
The company continued to thrive under the leadership of Robert
Hugh O'Neill. In 1985, stockholders seized the opportunity to
buy out the Hemphill family. Debra O'Neill was elected to the
Board of Directors in 1986. Debra's husband, Richard, was
elected to the Board in 1991. In 1992, discussions were
initiated on a corporate split-off that would allow Debra and her
brother, Bob O'Neill Jr., the opportunity to continue their own
individual companies, following the legacy created by their
grandfather.
O'Neill Pine Company was created as a corporate split-off under a
divisive D reorganization. On April 30, 1996, OPC recorded
their first logging revenues. On January 1, 1998, a management
agreement was reached with FPS, Inc., another family business, to
help with OPC timberlands and manage real estate investments.
Today the O'Neill Pine Company continues the successful heritage
of one person with a dream to own their own business.
Currently, planning is underway for the opportunity to carry the
company forward with the next generation through Debra and Richard
Pine's children, Kylie and Kerry.
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