CEO Spotlight: Joseph O’Connell of Creative Machines
When you step into a public plaza and are suddenly captivated by a mesmerizing light sculpture or an impossibly complex rolling ball machine, chances are you’ve just encountered the work of Creative Machines. Founded by Joseph (Joe) O’Connell, Creative Machines is a multidisciplinary design and fabrication firm that brings imagination to life through interactive exhibits, monumental sculptures, and rolling ball sculptures.
Joe, who serves as Founder, President, and Artistic Director of the 28-person firm, has always believed in merging artistic vision with practical engineering. But the spark behind his approach can be traced to an early influence: Azell Prince, Thomas Edison’s former shop foreman.
When Creative Machines was just starting out, Joe rented his first official workspace from Prince. What began as a humble setup—complete with a hammock for late-night brainstorming—turned into a mentorship shaped by Prince’s stories and Edison’s philosophies on managing a creative team. “Those conversations still guide the way we work today,” Joe reflects.
At Creative Machines, innovation is more than a buzzword—it’s embedded in the DNA of their team of artists, engineers, project managers, and skilled fabricators. Each project is designed with purpose: to inspire wonder, spark curiosity, and encourage social connection in the spaces we move through daily. From museums to corporate campuses, every installation tells a story and builds identity.
Finding New Dimensions of Leadership Through a Vistage Peer Group
Joe's journey as a business leader took a meaningful turn when Steve, Weaver, Co-Founder of 3 Pillars Performance Group, Vistage Chair and Certified Executive Coach, introduced him to Vistage. “I’d had bad experiences with other business groups. But Steve was different—he actually listened,” says Joe. Within just a few meetings, fellow members helped him identify the two most critical challenges facing his business: company culture and marketing.
“I thought Creative Machines was unique—like we were on an island,” Joe shares. “But being part of Vistage showed me that while we are unique in what we do, many business struggles are shared. And more importantly, the group really listens and understands the nuances of our work.”
Creative Machines, after all, operates in a niche where art meets engineering, and dreams collide with tight budgets and timelines. Navigating that balance takes more than strategy—it takes empathy and insight.
“Vistage avoids giving pat answers,” says Joe. “Instead, Vistage members challenge you to think deeper and help you build structures to operationalize real change."
Over the years, Joe has found immense value in the small, consistent insights the group provides—from recommending strategic tools like the Predictive Index to professional referrals that saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“It’s not just big advice, it’s that steady patter of support every month that makes the difference.”
One of the biggest lessons he took away? “Don’t get bogged down with the small stuff before you’ve tackled the big picture.”
Paying It Forward by Sharing the Benefits of Vistage Groups
Now, Joe is eager to share the Vistage and 3 Pillars Performance Group experience with other CEOs and business leaders.
“I’ve encouraged a lot of people to consider Vistage, and I’m happy to speak with anyone who’s thinking about it”
After three years, the relationships he’s built with Steve and his fellow members have become an integral part of his executive leadership journey.
As Creative Machines continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in public art and interactive design, one thing is clear: Joe O’Connell’s leadership is rooted not only in creativity, but in connection—and the belief that big ideas thrive in environments where people listen.
