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Business
New Chairman to Board of Ireland West Airport Knock
By Annette Kearney
25, Jan 2009 - 14:45

The Board of Ireland West Airport Knock (Connaught Airport Development Company (CADCO)) today, Monday 26th January, announced that Mr Patrick Joseph (Joe) Kennedy is retiring from his position as Chairman of the Airport’s Board after a period of 6 ½ years and that Liam Scollan, former Group Managing Director of the Airport, will succeed Mr Kennedy as the Board’s new Chairman.

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Liam Scallon


The decision was made at a meeting of the Airport’s Board on Monday, 19th January 2009. The Board, in accepting Mr Kennedy’s decision, is pleased that Joe is committed to remain on the Board for the foreseeable future as Honorary President and will continue to offer his support to the Airport. Mr Kennedy joined the Board in 2002 and was elected Chairman that year. 

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Patrick Joseph Kennedy


Commenting on the decision, Mr Des Mahon, Mayo County Manager, Airport Board Member and Chairman of the Horan International Airport Trust, said: “In accepting Joe’s decision to retire as Chairman of Ireland West Airport Knock, the Board is deeply indebted to him for the many years of great leadership and his total commitment to developing and expanding the Airport. Without doubt a tremendous amount has been achieved under his chairmanship and the Airport is indebted to the invaluable contribution which he has given to Ireland West Airport Knock.  The Board is pleased that Liam Scollan has accepted the Board’s unanimous decision to appoint him as our new Chairman and we look forward to continuing to wholeheartedly support and work with him to improve access to the West and North West and to achieve the objectives of the Airport so it remains a vehicle for regional development.”

Joe Kennedy, Outgoing Chairman, said: “I am truly delighted to have been of service to the people of the West of Ireland and I thank my fellow Board members, management and staff at the Airport, as well as the public at large, for the steadfast support which they have given me over the years.  I am overwhelmed and honoured by the Board’s continued support of me and their appointment of me as Honorary President. I am very, very, pleased that Liam Scollan will succeed me as the new Chairman to the Board.  His heart is in the right place and his expertise and commitment to growing the Airport and working with all the stakeholders involved, I am sure, will continue well into the future.”

Liam Scollan, Chairman, said: “Joe Kennedy has been a wonderful Chairman. He took on the task with huge energy and drive and an unswerving belief that success was inevitable if we are brave enough to strive for it. Success did indeed come with the airport winning awards, growing its services at a phenomenal rate and now being a key facility for much of the country. While he has undoubted business acumen it has been his respect for people, his ability to lead, his courage and determination that have inspired all around him. I am delighted that he has agreed to stay as part of the team because I value immensely his presence and the special gifts he has. His chairmanship marked a time of growth which has laid the foundation for the strong company we are today. It is heartening for me to know that, in my new appointment, I enjoyed the full support of the Board in that decision and am honoured to be the Airport’s sixth chairman since its foundation.  Like all other businesses we face tough challenges and I am heartened by the unity and strength of all involved around me at the Airport. I am looking forward with relish to my new role and of being of further service to this Airport and the region.”

Robert Grealis, CEO said: “Under Joe’s stewardship as Chairman, the Airport has developed dramatically over the last six years culminating in 2008 being a record year for passenger numbers and routes. There is no doubt that this would not have been possible without Joe at the helm and I will always be very grateful for the advice, direction and support he has given to me and the Airport team. I am delighted that Liam has been appointed Chairman and on behalf of the management and the staff we extend our sincere congratulations to him and his family on this wonderful achievement and recognition for his contribution to the Airport, as both a manager and a Board member over the last number of years. I am confident that this continuity will ensure the ongoing development of the Airport towards achieving its goals set out in Vision 2020.”

Martina Burns, Secretary of the Board of CADCO, has also decided to retire from her position to which she was appointed in May 2002. The Board has subsequently appointed Olivia Martin to be the Company Secretary. The Board thanked Martina for the many years of service she has given the Airport and wishes Olivia all the best in her new appointment.



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