Chris O’Connell is an accomplished CEO and board member with broad expertise in life
sciences, medical devices and the global health care field. O’Connell serves on the Board of
Directors of H.I.G. Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: HIGA) as well as Aceto, a leading global
chemical distributor and virtual manufacturer of specialty chemicals, intermediates, and
reagents for the life science and advanced technology markets.
From 2015-2020, O’Connell served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Waters
Corporation. Waters (NYSE: WAT) develops, manufactures and distributes innovative analytical
technologies, software and professional services for a broad range of life science, food &
environmental and industrial customers globally. Previously, he served at Medtronic plc (NYSE:
MDT) for twenty-one years, most recently as Executive Vice President and President of its
Restorative Therapies Group, and was a member of Medtronic’s Executive Committee for nine
years. Chris started his career at Chemical Banking Corporation in New York. He earned a
Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in 1989, and a Master’s degree in Business
Administration from Harvard University in 1994.
O’Connell and his family reside in Longboat Key, Florida and Wellesley, Massachusetts. His
community board work includes serving Northwestern University on the Weinberg College of
Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors and the Executive Advisory Board for the Chemistry of Life
Processes Institute, as well as the Board of Advisors for the Ron Burton Training Village in
Hubbardston, Massachusetts.