Rodney O’Neal began his automotive career as a General Motors student in 1971. Four decades later, Black Enterprise included him among eight African American chief executives on its 2012 corporate-leadership list.
He earned a bachelor's degree from General Motors Institute and a master's degree from Stanford University. His career included assignments in the United States, Canada and Portugal. A University of Toledo account described experience spanning engineering, production and manufacturing, grounding his executive work in the operations that turn designs into components used by vehicle manufacturers.
By 2002, he was a Delphi executive vice president leading its Safety, Thermal and Electrical Architecture sector. That year brought two honors: the National Society of Black Engineers' Lifetime Achievement in Industry Award and the Black Engineer of the Year award.
O’Neal became company president and chief operating officer in 2005 and chief executive two years later. He retired as chief executive on March 1, 2015, with Kevin Clark succeeding him. His community commitments included education and mentoring organizations, among them Real Life 101 and earlier board service at INROADS.
Sources and further reading
- Rodney O’Neal Wins 2002 Lifetime Achievement in Industry Award
- September 2012 Issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine Features Latest List of 100 Most Powerful Black Corporate Leaders
- UT News; Delphi chief executive campus visit
- Rodney O’Neal; Black Engineer of the Year honoree profile
- Delphi Corporation pension plans
- Examining Accountability and Corporate Culture in Wake of the GM Recalls
- Delphi Automotive 2015 Proxy Statement
- PBGC To Assume Delphi Pension Plans
