CRANBERRY TWP — Paul O’Neill has an abundant amount of work and accomplishments on his résumé.

He led Alcoa to “unprecedented” growth from 1987 to 2000, served as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury during the George W. Bush administration, helped research AIDS in Africa with U2 singer Bono and was chairman of the RAND Corp.

O’Neill added to his résumé Thursday evening when he received the Hance Award at St. Barnabas Charities’ 116th annual Founder’s Day ceremony.

The event was at the Pittsburgh Marriott North with about 300 people in attendance.

“I’m delighted. I think it’s such a worthy cause,” O’Neill said. “I’ve been privileged in my life to have an opportunity to make a difference.”

O’Neill received the award for his “loyalty, conviction and passion,” the same qualities associated with St. Barnabas founder Gouverneur Hance according to the Founder’s Day award program.

O’Neill, who was born in St. Louis, moved to Pittsburgh in 1987 with his wife, Nancy. They live in the Shadyside neighborhood.

“This is a place we lived in by choice,” he said of Pittsburgh. “It’s a city where if you want to be involved, you can be involved to the limit of your waking hours in a meaningful way.”

Founder’s Day proceeds benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund, which has provided more than $100 million in charity health care and residence for the elderly and physically challenged.

“We’ve grown following our mission of charity,” said John “Jack” Curran, chairman of the St. Barnabas Health System board of trustees. “This (fund) allows us to give care to those who couldn’t otherwise. It gives support to our 1,000 residents.”

Curran said other events throughout the year also raise money for the Free Care Fund, including golf opens, a 5K run/walk, a fashion show and Presents for Patients in December.

O’Neill was interviewed on stage after receiving the award by former Allegheny County Chief Executive Jim Roddey.

“He’s an icon who is personable, knowledgeable and entertaining,” Roddey said of O’Neill. “He’s a worthy recipient of this award.”

O’Neill was asked about his time with Alcoa and on Capitol Hill as Treasury secretary.

The success of Alcoa is generally credited to his focus on worker safety.

He left the company in 2000 to become Treasury secretary, where he served from 2001 to 2002. He was fired from his position for public disagreements with the Bush administration.

He said his one regret about being in Washington was not being able to convince the other people about his ideas.

O’Neill said Roddey is “an old friend.”

“He’s such a good, caring person,” he said. “He’s done so many good things for Pittsburgh. It’s too bad I don’t get to interview him.”

O’Neill also was asked about working with Bono on AIDS research in Africa in 2002. He said he first met him during a 15-minute conversation.

“In those 15 minutes, he convinced me that he was a real person,” O’Neill said. “He wasn’t there to trade in on his celebrity status. He deeply cared about this issue.”

State and county officials also were in attendance Thursday, including Butler County Commissioner Kim Geyer and Speaker of the state House of Representatives Mike Turzai.

“Just an outstanding public servant,” said Turzai, who presented the award to O’Neill. “A brilliant man, but also a good man with great values.”

Past recipients of the award include former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, award-winning actress Debbie Reynolds and Pittsburgh native Fred Rogers.

“I’m not seeking recognition,” O’Neill said. “If I can help with good causes, I’m really happy to do that.”