more about the team
Charles T. O’Neill
Managing Partner, Co-Founder
Charles (Chuck) O’Neill has spent the past 26 years creating and founding new healthcare companies, new departments for existing healthcare companies, and consulting with new and emerging healthcare entities to grow their businesses. His expertise in developing new businesses gives him the experience needed to evaluate new and emerging healthcare services, technology and device investment opportunities for Tri-Health Partners.
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He has been responsible for the creation and/or start-up of nine healthcare companies including two commercial health insurance plans, a medical device company, a provider clinic, and a worker’s compensation technology platform. For the past eight years, Chuck has been assisting a number of emerging healthcare services companies including serving as the Interim COO for the Massachusetts CO-OP, Minuteman Health.
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Chuck is also co-founder of O’Neill Marketing, a healthcare insurance general agency selling individual health plans and ancillary products to thousands of consumers through a network of insurance agents and partners across the country.
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Prior to forming Tri-Health Partners, Chuck was hired to develop and create a dynamic self-funded insurance technology platform to quote and sell group insurance plans directly to small group employers. Quotes.benebay.com went live in 2020. It is an intricate technology married to industry specific partnerships across the insurance spectrum.
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He was founder and CEO of Avalon Healthcare, a for-profit individual and small group commercial health plan selling risk bearing health insurance plans to Floridians. The plan was sold in 2012.
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He began his career in public relations and in 1992 joined Burson Marsteller working with Fortune 500 companies on major strategic initiatives. In 1994, he joined Oxford Health Plans to create the public relations department. At Oxford, he also developed an online ancillary products subsidiary called Oxford Benefit Management https://www.uhc.com/obm/products that was one of the industry’s first web-based small group products distribution platforms. In 1998, Chuck co-founded TechHealth Inc., a worker’s compensation management company. TechHealth was sold to One-Call Medical in 2011 for $170 million.
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In 2017 Chuck founded a not-for-profit organization called the Krewe of the Conch Republic. www.kreweoftheconchrepublic.org. The group is both a social club and works to raise money for environmental causes in the Florida Keys and around the Tampa Bay area.
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Chuck is a St. Bonaventure University graduate. From Rochester, NY, he currently lives in Tampa, FL with his wife and their five children.
Jim Aroune
Managing Partner, Co-Founder
Jim Aroune’s led the launch of new businesses and new departments and developed innovative business solutions during 36-years of service as an award-winning broadcast and print journalist and broadcast industry executive.
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Jim helped launch two cable news operations. He rose from bootstrapping reporter to anchor, then lead manager at R News, Rochester; then-Time Warner Cable’s first local news organization. Jim’s performance led to his selection as lead executive on the ground at YNN in Buffalo, New York.
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Jim served as Vice President of Broadcasting for The Public Broadcasting Council of Central New York, a highly innovative media organization which shed on-air pledging and unified stations through a central master control company that served nearly half the nation's PBS affiliates. Jim developed new media operations to respond to the organization's self-sustaining commitment.
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Jim is a St. Bonaventure graduate from Orchard Park, NY who lives with his wife in Fairport, NY.
Neil Bommele
Advisory Board Member
A distinguished St. Bonaventure University alumnus from the Class of 1987, Neil was named Associate of the fund in the Spring of 2025 after joining Brown and White Ventures' Advisory Board. Known for his enthusiastic contribution to the university community, Neil believes in the power of alumni networks to create business opportunities and support the institution. His diverse career in sales spans various sectors, including mortgages, consumer goods, and real estate management, showcasing his adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit. Neil's commitment to fostering alumni connections benefits the fund.
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Denise Dee
Advisory Board Member
A dedicated educator and advocate, was the charter member of the Advisory Board at Brown and White Ventures. Denise graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1989 and recently retired from her position at Dominican Academy in New York City, where she served as a counselor and Director of Student Life. Denise is passionate about supporting her alma mater. She's been involved with SBU’s ‘80’s Weekend Committee and Team Unfurl, which promotes university athletics through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Her dedication to mentorship and community service positions her as a valuable asset to the advisory board.
Colette Dow
Advisory Board Member
A distinguished figure in the finance sector. Colette's outstanding business acumen is demonstrated in her founding of Prince Ridge Holdings, where she serves as COO. Colette is a member of the Class of 1988 at St. Bonaventure University. She has excelled in prominent roles at financial firms. Colette worked as COO Dillon Read Capital Management. Colette has been recognized for her work as Managing Director at UBS. She served as Senior Manager at KPMG. Colette's expertise spans investment management and strategic operations. She has also applied her experience at Grove Investment Partners and Critical Holdings, LLC & Subsidiaries.
Denzel Gregg
Advisory Board Member
Always known for his range, wherever he competes and contributes, Denzel became Brown and White Ventures' first intern in the Spring of 2024. He then rose to the role of Associate with the fund. Denzel now serves on the Advisory Board. He's preparing for the bar after completing his law studies at theThomas R. Kline School of Law at Duquesne University. Denzel is a 2017 graduate of St. Bonaventure University who was a four-year star for the Bonnies men's basketball team. Denzel played professionally in Europe before returning to his hometown and serving in the Syracuse University Athletics Department. Denzel then applied his gifts at the Mayor of the City of Indianapolis, Indiana. His passion for the law and finance position Denzel to make a significant impact on the investment landscape.
Melissa Palmer
Advisory Board Member
An accomplished corporate executive, Melissa served as both Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Butler Till. Melissa brings a wealth of experience to her current position on the advisory board. She has served in similar roles at Loughlin Constable, Flow Tech and Threshold. Melissa is a Class of 1985 SBU graduate, Melissa’s leadership skills and strategic insight have led to significant contributions in her previous roles. Melissa has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing organizational performance and driving growth.