Gary O'Brien
Gary joined Stony Hill Advisors in 2022. He brings a wealth of experience in key aspects of business strategy, operations and finance to benefit clients in New Jersey.
Gary is a proven executive leader with over 34 years of broad-based global experience building and leading businesses and functions in technology-based manufacturing environments. Throughout his career he has focused on developing and executing strategies to drive sales and earnings growth in local and emerging markets, lead strategic M&A activities, and manage operations in multicultural settings.
Following graduation, Gary gained valuable experience as a CPA with the international accounting firm, Deloitte. He then began a successful 30-year career in the specialty chemicals sector with Rohm and Haas Company and Dow Chemical. After initial assignments in business financial management, Gary moved to business operations (marketing and general management) where he spearheaded a global strategic marketing alliance that drove a business turn-around. He then spent 6 years in Asia where he led significant business restructuring and growth initiatives, including the negotiation and integration of a strategic business acquisition in the PVC processing space.
Gary returned to the U.S. to lead the well-respected Rohm and Haas Investor Relations group, where he cultivated key relationships with the investment community and led internal efforts to drive enhanced enterprise value. He went on to hold executive positions as CFO of the $7 billion Rohm and Haas Chemicals Business Group and later as Vice-President/Global Business Director for Packaging Adhesives ($500 million in sales) within the Dow Chemical Advanced Materials division.
For the past 10 years Gary has advised Greater Philadelphia small businesses in the areas of strategic planning, market analysis, operations and financial management. Gary has done advisory work for Habitat for Humanity (Philadelphia), and is currently an Advisor with Executive Leaders for Advisory Boards (ELAB). He is a senior member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance, having served on the Executive Committee and as Board Treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee.
Gary earned a BA in Economics from Rutgers College, and an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife reside in Moorestown, NJ.
