He continued his professional growth, and in 2001 became a master plumber. Once Dennis expressed interest in going to school, Stephen asked him to ride with him to see what work was like out in the field. He did this for one year, and enjoyed the experience. Dennis also found employment in his field while he was at NEIT, and like his brother, attended school at night. Through his job, Dennis met his coworkers, William Belle and Keith Compart, who today are his partners in their business, Drain Man Inc. located in North Kingstown, RI. The three worked out of an apartment for 6 months before Stephen joined the company as a partner.    

Dennis O'Donnell and Stephen O'Donnell

     Started in only 2001, Drain Man Inc., a plumbing/heating/sewer and septic service company, is in the top five service companies in Rhode Island. The company employs 14 people and owns 11 vehicles. Stephen and Dennis attribute their success to a couple of things: preparation and knowing one's capabilities and limitations. The brothers agree that their education provided the foundation for their success. They could have entered the field without a degree; however, they both feel they wouldn't be where they are today without one. They credit their well-rounded education with their ability to handle technical, management and personnel responsibilities, and can't say enough about their technical and general education courses and the faculty at NEIT. Knowing their capabilities and limitations came into play when they had to identify what roles the partners would have within the company. Stephen and Dennis possess excellent plumbing/heating and management skills, William Belle brought a wealth of septic and sewer experience to the company and Keith Compart is a CPA who handles the company's accounting and taxes. All aspects of the business are covered by the partners' areas of expertise.
   Stephen and Dennis take great pride in the quality of their company's work, and are also very proud of their individual accomplishments. They attribute their work ethic to their mother, Louise, who worked very hard outside the home while raising eight children. Their advice to others considering their future is to find something they will enjoy, obtain a good education and work very hard to reach their goals. And how about Dennis's wish to have a home as nice as his brother's? He obtained his goal, and owns a beautiful home on the beach in Narragansett.