Local business entrepreneur Mr. Eugene Kierans, Victualler, was elected as President to the Drogheda Chamber at the 112th Annual General Meeting. The incoming President spoke of the great honour and privilege it was to be selected to lead the Chamber at this exciting time of expansion both for the Chamber and the town of Drogheda. There was much praise at the meeting for the outgoing president Graham O’Rourke. Mr O’Rourke served the Chamber as President for two years and achieved much in his role including working closely with the Chamber of Trade, County Manager, Town Clark as well as FAS, Enterprise Ireland and many other local agencies on policy issues. Mr O’Rourke achieved much for the Chamber by raising issues that affect local business such as the Pedestrianisation of West Street, rates issues, broadband access and many more. The last 12 months also saw many successful events held by the Chamber including Drogheda Wi-Fi Town, The Great Drogheda Debate, The Drogheda Business Excellence Awards, Personality Luncheon with An Taoiseach as well as lots of educational and networking events. The new President outlined his vision for his role in the coming 12 months and a continued focus will be on membership growth. Yvonne Halpenny the new Business Development Manager has a task of strengthening its membership base and providing new services to current members. Other areas that will be addressed by the incoming President include increasing membership value, strengthen the business voice of the Chamber and evaluating new projects for 2006/07 New President's Address
Having been a member of the Council for years, I eventually succumbed to temptation and stopped being a passenger and became a driver. I’m looking forward to the challenge of being President of such a historic and progressive Chamber. I’d like to thank Graham O’Rourke and all the Presidents over the last decade for everything that they have done for the Chamber to date.
However, each person does the job in their own way and hopefully leaves their own imprint.
My aim for the Chamber is to profile the work that the Chamber does in its facets. There are so many sub-committees with members giving up their time on a voluntary basis to help the business community and Drogheda as a whole.
Furthermore, I think that instead of doing a good job and telling no one, why not do an even better job and tell everyone! So a business citizen will always know what the Chamber does and aspires to achieve.
I have very many good friends within the Chamber family whose members have the capacity and thankfully the cheek to tell me if I’m traversing the wrong road. Together, we can do a great job on behalf of the business citizens of Drogheda and its environs.
The Chamber is even more accessible now because of our new location Chamber House, which is situated directly across from Glanbia on the Dublin Road. It’s not my Chamber, or the Council’s Chamber, it belongs to the members of which we the Council are but “minders” for the time being, we want and need your advice and support.
My phone is nearly always switched on but in the event of not getting me in, Yvonne and Ailish will seek me out in HQ!
I look forward to meeting with you in the near future.
Personal regards
Eugene Kierans President -Drogheda Chamber
© Drogheda Chamber of Commerce 2006. All Rights Reserved. |
