The Board

John Horgan was appointed to the Board in April 2012 and as Chairman in September 2012. He is an independent Human Resource Consultant. He has a degree in Social Science from University College Dublin, MA in Industrial Relations from Warwick University and an MA in History from NUIG. Following positions in the UK and Irish public service he was appointed Deputy Chairman and then Chairman of the Labour Court. Subsequently he worked for GPA in Shannon and was HR Director for a number of multinational companies.

Mike Quinn was appointed as Managing Director with effect from 2 January 2015. Prior to joining Bord na Móna, he was Group Vice President with Precision Castparts. He also held senior management positions in Tellabs, Stryker and Lufthansa Technik having previously worked in engineering roles with Amdahl Ireland and Apple Computers. He holds a degree in Physics and Electronics from Dublin City University and a post graduate qualification in Project Management from University of Limerick. He has also studied Advanced Leadership programmes at both Cranfield University and the University of Michigan.

Philip Casey was appointed to the Board in January 2015 under the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Acts 1977 and 1988. He joined Bord na Móna in 1980 as a production seasonal operative at Blackwater Works and became permanent in December 1981 as a watchman. He held a service man position from 1982 until appointed as a Team Leader in 1991. He transferred to Transport operations in 1997 where he is currently employed as a Transport Shift Operator. He holds HETAC Certificates in Occupational Health and Safety, Trade Unionism/Collective Bargaining, New Forms of Work Organisation/Employment Law, Equality/Social and Economic Issues, Advanced Health, Safety and Welfare at Work and Health and Safety.

Denise Cronin was appointed to the Board in September 2011. She is an Accounting Manager for the European operations of a US multinational technology company. She has worked in finance roles in a number of Irish companies across a range of industries. Denise is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and holds a B.Comm (Hons) from University College Cork. She also serves with a number of not for profit bodies.

John Farrelly was appointed to the Board in June 2014. He is a Director of DNG Royal County Auctioneers and Estate Agents. He served as a Senator from 1993 to 1997 and was a member of Dail Eireann from 1982 to 1992 and 1997 to 2000. He was a member of Meath County Council and Chairman of Meath Tourism. He also served as Chairperson of the East Border Region. He is currently a Director of the Kells Literary Hay Festival and has served on a number of other bodies during his career. He is a graduate of Warrenstown Agricultural College.

Kevin Healy was appointed to the Board in January 2015 under the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Acts 1977 and 1988. He joined Bord na Móna in 1975 as an Assistant Surveyor at Boora Works in peat energy and has held positions in Record keeping, Maintenance Cost Control, Payroll and Stores. He was a founder member of the group which initiated Lough Boora Discovery Park and is involved in its development and in local community organisations. He has served as a Shop Steward, Branch Secretary and Section Committee member for SIPTU.

Denis Leonard was appointed to the Board in June 2014. He is Principal of a further education college in Dunboyne as well as having served as a member of Westmeath County Council and the Longford−Westmeath Education Training Board. He has a degree in Arts and a Master’s degree in Equality Studies from UCD, as well as a post−graduate degree in Guidance from NUI Maynooth. He has served on the boards of Greenpeace, VOICE, and a North South Children’s Charity. He has extensive experience in the area of the environment, producing and presenting a radio programme in this area for five years. He has worked for many local and national community development, transport, environment and charity organisations and has served as Chairperson of the Westmeath Heritage Forum.

Seamus Maguire was appointed to the Board in January 2015 under the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Acts 1977 and 1988. He joined Bord na Móna in 1974 as an apprentice fitter in Derrygreenagh workshop. On completion of his apprenticeship he transferred to Ballycon workshop and worked as an area fitter for a number of years. He returned to Derrygreenagh in 1988 and since 1990 he has been part of a PBR fabrication team. He has been a TEEU delegate on the Bord na Móna Group of Unions since 1998. He trained as a manual handling instructor in 2006 and supports the training instructors when the need arises. He is the Derrygreenagh safety representative and is currently a member of the Central Health and Safety Committee.

Gerard O’Donoghue was appointed to the Board in October 2012. He is a practising Solicitor and was appointed as a Notary Public in July 2005 by the Supreme Court. He is principal in the practice of White O’Donoghue and Company, Solicitors, Abbeyleix, Co Laois.

Colm Ó Gógáin was appointed to the Board in January 2011 under the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Acts 1977 and 1988 and re-appointed in January 2015. He joined Bord na Móna in 1974 and has held various positions including Chief Executive Bord na Móna Fuels Ltd, Director of Bord na Móna Environmental Ltd and is currently Head of Strategic Infrastructure. He holds a B.E. (Mechanical) from University College Dublin, is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of Engineers Ireland.

Elaine Treacy was appointed to the Board in July 2012. With 20 years’ experience in the technology industry, Elaine has a wealth of expertise in international sales, marketing and business strategy coupled with capital fundraising and M&A. Her career spans PLC, public sector and start−up organisations. She currently leads UK Sales & Marketing operations for AMCS Group, a global leader in waste and recycling software and technology. Elaine holds a Masters of Business Studies (MBS) and a Bachelor of Commerce from National University of Ireland, Galway.

Barry Walsh was appointed to the Board in October 2012. He is an accountant by profession and worked for most of his career in senior financial positions in the Irish Life Group. From 2012 up to his retirement in 2014 he was Company Secretary of the Irish Life Group and is currently Chairman of the Irish Life Staff Pension Scheme. Prior to joining Irish Life he was an Inspector of Taxes with the Revenue Commissioners.