Since joining Merrill he has ushered out several O'Neal holdovers, including former co-president Ahmass Fakahany ("a consummate professional, " Thain called him on the way out the door).

FORBES: No Thain, No Gain

Before being hired by the Chargers, Telesco was in the Indianapolis Colts' front office and had seen Te'o play several times.

WSJ: Chargers take Manti Te'o in 2nd round of NFL draft

At the recent groundbreaking for a test track in the hardscrabble Antelope Valley of the Mojave Desert, Chairman Chung and several other executives, including O'Neill, held shovels over a trough of dirt for photographers.

FORBES: Magazine Article