The appointment of a new Board to the Western Development Commission (WDC) has been announced.
The WDC was set up in 1999 to promote and encourage economic and social development in the West.
But Minister Heather Humphreys says that over the past three years in particular, the WDC has established itself as an important contributor to the development of the region.
“The WDC has also made important contributions to the development of policy at national level in areas such as remote working, climate change and rural development,” said Minister Humphreys.
“I am delighted to appoint a new Board to guide and direct the work of the Commission for the next three years.
“There were many expression of interest in appointment to the new Board and I want to thank everyone who took the time to apply through the State Boards process.”
Members of the new Board of the Western Development Commission
Mr. Gerry Finn (Chair)
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Former Director of the Border, Midlands and Western Regional Assembly |
Ms. Mary Corcoran
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Professor of Sociology, Maynooth University |
Ms. Mary Coyne
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Former Director of Finance & Business and Company Secretary of TG4. |
Ms. Audrey Crummy
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Senior Executive, Regulation & EU Affairs, Financial Services Ireland |
Ms. Sandra Divilly
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Entrepreneur and Programme Manager of EMPOWER at GMIT Innovation Hub, Mayo |
Mr. Peter Hynes
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Former Chief Executive, Mayo County Council |
Mr. John Kelleher
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Head of Marketing, Tourism & Sport, Sligo Institute of Technology. |
Mr. Christy Loftus
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Retired Communications Advisor and Journalist |
Mr. Henry McGarvey
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Vice-President of Finance and Corporate Services, Letterkenny IT; former MD, Pramerica Systems Ireland |
Ms. Mary McKenna
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Technology entrepreneur; Advisory Board member, Placecube |
Ms. Aisling Meehan | Farm enterpreneur; Agricultural law and tax practitioner |
Mr. Edmund Jennings | Managing Director, The Cregg Group |
“The composition of the new Board reflects a mix of new members and previous Board members.
“They possess an excellent mix of experience and skills from the business sector, the public sector, the community sector and the education sector,” added the Minister for Rural and Community Development.
“I have asked Mr Gerry Finn, who has been a member of the WDC Board for the last three years, to take up the position of Chair of the Board, and I wish him well in that role.”