The Timmy O’Brien Award was established in 2003 to honor an Esiason Foundations Board Member who most exemplifies the success and drive Tim showed in business and on the basketball court.
Timmy O’Brien was one of the Foundation’s original Board Members and was the first to introduce a major corporate relationship to the organization. Thanks to Tim, the Foundation found homes first at Patriot Securities and later at Cantor Fitzgerald. While Tim’s death in the September 11 terrorist attacks devasted the Foundation, the O’Brien Award ensures his memory will live on in the hearts and minds of his many friends.
Congratulations to Dirk Kettlewell, recipient of the Second Annual Timmy O’Brien Award
Dirk Kettlewell has served as Senior Vice President – Omni Channel for OfficeMax since 1997. Dirk has 20 years of experience in Retail, Ecommerce, B2B and Distribution, while having worked for such giants as Sears, Montgomery Ward and Circuit City. His vast P&L responsibilities have included Merchandising, Marketing, Ecommerce, Supply Chain, International Product Procurement, Product Development, Business Development, Strategic Planning and Multi-Store/Unit Management.
Dealerscope Magazine recently named Dirk one of its “40 Top Executives Under 40.” He told the magazine his most significant achievement is the role his team played in OfficeMax’s return to profitability. His goal is to complete the journey to make OfficeMax the number one destination within the office product superstore ranks.
Dirk became involved with the Esiason Foundation in 2001 after meeting Boomer at a Super Bowl event. He attended Booming Celebration that year and significantly increased his commitment to the fight against Cystic Fibrosis.
Dirk has become a major player in fundraising for Booming Celebration and recruiting foursomes for the BEF Golf Invitational. He has also hosted several Monday Night Football events and a baseball event at Wrigley Field in Chicago. In addition, Dirk quickly responded when the Foundation lost its offices in the World Trade Center attacks – OfficeMax and several of its vendors provided laptops, printers and a host of supplies for the Foundation’s new offices in Manhattan.
All told, Dirk has raised over $2 million for the Foundations fight against cystic fibrosis.