INTERVIEW: 'ONI is utilizing big data to drive improvements,' Head says

Holman Head retired from his role as president and chief operating officer of O'Neal Industries (ONI) at the end of September. He recalls the substantial growth of the business during his 40-year career with the company and discusses likely future trends with Fastmarkets' Bette Kovach.

In reflecting on his 40-year career with ONI of Birmingham, Alabama, Head thought about all the changes that metal service centers faced and his response to them. Considering four decades of profound change in nearly all facets of how a successful business operates - and his many roles in managing that change - Head said, "I feel like Forrest Gump," the fictional lead in an American movie of the same name about facing - and successfully managing - life's twists and turns.
"Like Forrest, I too have been in the right place at the right time in many aspects of my life. He embraced hard work and integrity to become successful in many different roles, and I think for the most part, I did too," Head said.

And much of Head's life and career followed Forrest Gump's most memorable quote, "Like Momma said, life is like a box of chocolates. You never know...

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