November 25, 2025

40 Years of ONCO: Part 2 – A Growing Small Business

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ONCO > 40 Years of ONCO: Part 2 – A Growing Small Business

The Hendrickson’s Reflect on ONCO’s Journey

In a candid and heartfelt conversation, Jim and Heidi Hendrickson (Co-CEOs of ONCO) sat down to reflect on the evolution of ONCO—from the early 2000s to one of the industry leaders in cancer registry software today.

Jim and Heidi Hendrickson, Co-CEOs of ONCO (2018).

 

Early Days – A Modest Beginning

Jim Hendrickson’s introduction to ONCO came through his brother’s company, TSI, which acquired the business from The Williamson’s in the late 1990s. At the time, ONCO was a niche company generating under $1 million in annual revenue.

“It was a small part of my brother’s company… I worked there for 8-9 years, working up through the ranks eventually becoming a partner.” – Jim Hendrickson

In 2007 TSI and ONCO went separate ways, and when Jim’s brother passed away Jim and Heidi took over the reins of ONCO full-time.

 

Wearing Every Hat

One of their first major initiatives was updating ONCOLog and expanding the team. They re-built the software and ONCO through hands-on involvement in development, support, new client implementations, accounting, and sales.

In 2015, Heidi took on sales directly, and it became her calling. Her experience across nearly every department gave her a unique edge—deep knowledge of client needs and how to deliver them.

“We both have worn a lot of hats. It’s not about titles—it’s about figuring out and doing what needs to be done together.” -Heidi Hendrickson.

 

Building a Business and a Life Together

Throughout the 2010s, ONCO grew steadily constantly improving ONCOLog and adding products and services. The Hendrickson’s leadership emphasized resilience, trust, a strong internal team and close client relationships. They operated not just as executives but as owners embedded in every corner of the business—even while raising a young family.

“We had all our children while building ONCO into what it is today.” Heidi shared, reflecting on the intensity of their early years in leadership.

From left: Sarah, Grace, and Claire Hendrickson, daughters of Jim and Heidi Hendrickson (2019).

 

They credit the company’s culture today to the same hands-on, resilient spirit that carried them through the early years. With a robust team that cares about their clients and products to help support them, strategic partnerships in place and a renewed focus on efficiency and client satisfaction, they’re more excited than ever about the future.