Batavia Chamber of Commerce Member Jessica Medrano of R.J. O’Neil Mechanical Contractors Named a 2024 Daily Herald Suburban Business Influential Women in Business Honoree

Medrano joins eight other suburban women executives in this year’s class of awardees.
 
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is pleased to share that Jessica Medrano, owner and president of Montgomery-based R. J. O’Neil Mechanical Contractors was recently named a 2024 Daily Herald Suburban Business Influential Women in Business.  
 
The awards are presented yearly to outstanding women executives who excel in business, civic and personal arenas. Joining Ms. Medrano as a 2024 honoree are Preeti Gulati, Kiddie Academy; Helena Trachtenberg, Cooper Trachtenberg Law Group; Lorrene Conono, Salon Lorrene; Bonnie lane, The Family Support Services; and Gregg-Brooke Koleno, IA Business Advisors. Also, Jennifer Prell, Elderwerks Educational Services; Wendy White Eagle, Tek Pak, Inc., and Erica Fine, College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving NW Chicagoland. 
 
A Batavia Chamber member, Jessica was nominated by Shirley Mott, communications and membership coordinator for the Chamber. In her letter of nomination, Ms. Mott wrote that her leadership skills and compassion are clear.
 
“Jessica is a dynamic leader whose vision for R.J. O’Neil reflects her personal values as a mother and community advocate,” wrote Mott. “She believes in providing opportunities that enable employees, their families, customers, and the community to thrive.  Her leadership is a testament to the idea that a business can be both successful and compassionate.”
 
Joining a legacy family business, R.J. O’Neil in 2009 as an admin, Ms. Medrano used sheer determination and hard work to learn the business through and through. In 2019, after being mentored and working alongside Dan O’Neil, owner of R.J. O’Neil, Jessica took steps to purchase the family company that was founded in 1926. The company is now a certified woman-owned and minority-owned business, a notable achievement in the traditionally male-dominated mechanical contracting industry.  
 
Harriet Parker, who previously provided business coaching to Jessica as the manager of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Waubonsee Community College, noted that Ms. Medrano is committed to excellence.
 
“She not only wished to preserve the legacy of the business, but is continually improving it, making a positive economic impact on her local community, and offering continuing career opportunities for the company’s employees,” wrote Ms. Parker in a letter of support.
 
“Jessica is a solid businesswoman, a strong leader, and a caring person who values each individual she interacts with,” added Parker. “I cannot think of someone who is more qualified in all respects for this award.”
 
Adding to her list of business and philanthropic organizational involvements, Ms. Medrano was invited to join the Waubonsee Community College (WCC) Foundation Board of Directors this past summer. She serves on the Revenue Generating and Scholarship committees. The Director of Development for WCC, Emma Donatille, called Jessica’s leadership journey as “nothing short of inspiring.”
 
She cited Medrano’s dedication to the values of commitment, resilience, honor, and respect in not only preserving the legacy of R.J. O’Neil, but also advancing its growth.
 
“Jessica Medrano embodies the spirit of a true leader – someone who values integrity, fosters relationships, and inspires those around her,” Ms. Donatille summed.
 
This year’s Daily Herald Suburban Business Influential Women in Business honorees will be recognized in a special section, which will be published by the Daily Herald on December 8.
 
About Batavia Chamber of Commerce:
 
A local business-centered organization, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce sponsors or is involved with several annual Batavia events, including the Annual Mayor’s Breakfast, Citizen of the Year/Ole Awards Event, and much more. The president and CEO is Margaret Perreault. Membership and information about upcoming Batavia Chamber and community events are available online at bataviachamber.org or by calling (630) 879-7134. 
 
About R. J. O’Neil Mechanical Contractors:
 
R.J. O’Neil Mechanical Contractors specializes in delivering top-notch HVAC-R, plumbing, and mechanical services to the municipal, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. Located in Montgomery, they have served the Chicagoland area since 1926. Learn more by visiting their website rjoneil.com or call (630) 906-1300.