Home: San Gabriel, CA. Profession: Safety and industrial hygiene consultant. Organization: McNeil Safety Consulting. Title: CEO. Significant other: My wife, Zennin Sedacey-McNeil. Alma mater: UCLA. Languages spoken: English, Braille.
Current project: Consulting on hazards in the Eaton Area. Recent recognition: Award from the US Congress for heroism for stopping a school mass shooting, 2024. Latest accomplishment: Earned EPP Certification. Latest contribution to others: Saved renters from eviction in the Eaton Area. Hobbies: Fishing, overlanding. Recent travel or adventure: Denver; Gillette, Wyoming; Whitefish, Montana. Recent unique acquisition: Two Belgian Malinois, male and female.
Moral compass: Honesty, accountability. What is your greatest joy? Family. What is your greatest fear? Loss of family and freedom. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Firefighters. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Home Depot. What is at the top of your bucket list? Bow hunting trip to Montana. How do you relieve stress? Playing with my dogs. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Family.
What was your first paying job? Firefighter. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My wife. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Be honest and be accountable for your own actions. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Do the right thing. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Life. What company or organization do you most admire? CAL FIRE/Riverside County. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? The birth of my daughters.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Training to make safety a standard.
What change would you like to see in the world? Acceptance of all. What message do you want to send out into the world? Love each other, because we only have each other in life.
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Demi Moore. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My grandparents. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A firefighter. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My dogs. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Fishing. What advice would you give your younger self? Be strong and be free in my expression. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My time at the Forest Service. I should have worked for CAL FIRE instead.
Personal mission: Highlight the truth. Personal motto: Nothing is impossible in life. Favorite quote: “Do the right thing and never back down.” Desired epitaph: Those who have lied and done wrong will answer in Valhalla.
