I think you are thinking of Don Evans and his wife, who are from Midland. I don't believe the president knew O'Neill before appointing him to the cabinet. O'Neill was Cheney's suggestion.
Good riddance.
I thought O'Niell was a olive branch to Greenspan and the (non)Fed. Am I wrong?
I found this Press Release by the Federal Reserval Board: Release Date: December 20, 2000 For immediate release
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan issued the following statement today:
In Paul O’Neill, the President-elect has attracted an exceptional and talented person. I look forward to again working closely with an old friend and colleague.
It was Cheney who fired O'Neill.