Jump First, Think Fast

Frank J. O’Connell is the original millennial, and in his book Jump First, Think Fast he shares how he blazed a trail of innovation for some of the biggest brands in American business.

Frank O’Connell grew up as a farm boy in a small town of 2,000 in Ovid, New York, where he drove tractors, sold eggs, and won prizes at 4H Fairs. He learned the value of hard work from his mother, who told him that he could surpass everyone by outworking them. Because of the values instilled in him, Frank went on to live an outsized life as a corporate chieftain.

For more than fifty years, Frank has helmed such companies as Reebok, Fox Video Games, HBO Video, SkyBox, Gibson Greetings, and Indian Motorcycles. Frank has led major consumer product revolutions, including Innovative food products, video games, video tapes, the Reebok Pump, collectibles, toys, greeting cards, action figures, and the iconic Indian Motorcycle.

A student of hard work and business who learned his craft on the front lines of sales and marketing, Frank knew that the right thing to do was to Jump First and then Think Fast. In his book, he shares his personal stories, business strategies, and proven methods for management. Jump First, Think Fast details Frank’s many business successes – as well as some failures – in an honest and forthright way. Jump First, Think Fast is for those who want to think differently about business and learn how to find their place, trust their instincts, and enjoy the ride from a successful CEO’s stories, lessons, and life moments.

About the author

Frank O'Connell

Frank O’Connell is known for his unconventional approach for high performance through his strategic thinking, brand building, breakthrough marketing, and new product ideas. His accomplishments include serving as president of Reebok Brands, president of HBO Video, CEO of Indian Motorcycles, and chairman and CEO of Gibson Greetings, Inc. He spent the first fourteen years of his career developing well-known brands at Arnold Bakery, Mattel, Carnation Company, and Hunt Wesson foods, among other brands in the baking and natural foods industry.

O’Connell was a senior partner with The Parthenon Group, a top strategic consulting company for seven years. He has extensive operating experience running and repositioning companies as well as leading turnaround initiatives.

He spent sixteen years on the board of Tree House Foods Inc., a public company. He is an investor and board member at Schylling Inc, a toy company and is cofounder of Tuckerman Capital. He has also served on numerous Cornell University boards where he earned his B.S. in Economics and an M.B.A.

He has a passion for mentoring and coaching young professionals on their career path. He also enjoys investing in young entrepreneurs, encouraging them to grow by taking risks and having fun with their careers.

O’Connell is married to Barbara with three grown children and six grandchildren. Having moved over twenty times and worked in many different environments, he hopes sharing his wide range of experiences will inspire people to act on their ambitions.