Michael O’Connor is a principal with Bose Public Affairs Group. As the former chief deputy mayor of the city of Indianapolis, O’Connor worked as a key member of
Mayor Bart Peterson’s administration, first managing Peterson’s successful election campaign, then serving as the mayor’s top advisor and chief of staff. During his tenure as chief deputy mayor, O’Connor was the lead negotiator on Indianapolis Colts’ matters, the purchase of the Indianapolis Water Co. and oversaw Economic Development and Public Safety. He aggressively addressed the many issues facing the city of Indianapolis, creating initiatives to strengthen the economy and create jobs, support public education and improve the quality of life in Indianapolis. As the senior member of Mayor Peterson’s staff, O’Connor was key in developing the Indianapolis Works initiative, which addressed budgetary concerns and reinforced public services by streamlining local government and tax structures.
As a high profile Democrat, O’Connor bolsters Bose Public Affairs Group’s extensive lobbying efforts by utilizing his strong relationships in government and the community and his deep understanding of government on behalf of clients. In addition, he directs the firm’s communications consultancy, High Road Communications. High Road Communications serves as strategic communications advisors to corporate clients as well as a variety of political campaigns and non-partisan grassroots efforts. High Road Communications is a full service advisory, productions and editing communications firm
Before joining the Peterson administration, O’Connor served in several capacities
in other governmental agencies. Appointed by former President Bill Clinton in 1997, O’Connor directed all state and local governmental relations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Before joining EPA, he was commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) under Govs. Evan Bayh and Frank O’Bannon, having previously served as IDEM’s deputy commissioner. In 1990, O’Connor managed the campaign for Indiana Secretary of State Joe Hogsett in his upset victory over then- Indianapolis Mayor Bill Hudnut.
A graduate of Indiana University, O’Connor entered the political world while at IU, serving as a Lyndon B. Johnson intern for former U.S. Congressman Phil Sharp of
Indiana. After graduation, O’Connor managed Sharp’s 1986 campaign. In 1987, O’Connor became the youngest person ever elected to the Greenfield City Council.
O’Connor is an adjunct faculty member at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU in Bloomington and Indianapolis. He is a graduate of the Public Affairs Council’s Public Affairs Institute. He serves on the boards of United Way of Central Indiana, Goodwill of Central Indiana, Shephard Community, Goodwill Educational Initiatives and co-chair of the United Way Ready to Lean/Ready to Earn Committee.
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