History

AJO provides executive coaching, team and leadership development services, in addition to supporting the career transition needs of its clients. Its career transition services have continued to evolve to include Internet strategies and to provide services 24/7, anywhere/anytime.

The company is run by Andrew J. (Andy) O’Connor, III, son of the company’s founders, Andrew Sr. and Betty O’Connor, and a third generation is on its way up as Andy oversees a new level of expansion. The company moved to a new location -- 6 Century Drive in Parsippany, NJ -- in 2008, to accommodate a larger group of coaches and consultants. In addition, AJO’s national network is undergoing a restructuring that will make it more accessible nationally and virtually.

This growth echoes the numerous bursts of expansion since the company was started by Andy’s parents during the recession of the early 1980s. In common with many outplacement industry "founding fathers," the O'Connors coupled their human resources background and expertise with a desire to assist individuals in career transition. They embarked upon a journey to create a very special company that would deliver a service to individuals who were in need of emotional, strategic, and transitional support to get them through a very difficult time in their lives and careers. Services initially included help with resume preparation and other self-marketing tools, but quickly broadened to address needs for vocational/educational guidance, career assessment, entrepreneurial interests, networking, interviewing, and job offer negotiation.

IMPACT OF FAMILY VALUES ON THE BUSINESS:

Andrew O'Connor Sr. was a proud and ethical individual who with his wife, Betty, raised a family of seven children; six sons and one daughter. With values instilled by their respective parents and grandparents, they shared a love of our country and the opportunities afforded to all Americans. Coupled with their deep spirituality, a strong work ethic, integrity, respect and discipline, they balanced a hectic work/life by sharing equally in day-to-day operations of running a start-up company while concentrating their love and time on their children, several of whom were in high school and college in those early years, never missing a family celebration, holiday or commitment to church or community.

It’s those values the company is built on: honesty, empathy, emotional support, hard work, dealing with reality and, most important of all, accountability and responsibility for oneself. In combination with the support and resources the firm provides, we support individuals through a trying time in their lives.