The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
I.T TRALEE APPOINTS ITS NEW CHAIRMAN
EDUCATION Minister Richard Bruton has appointed a new Chairman of the Governing Body at IT Tralee.
The former head of Hewlett Packard Ireland Lionel Alexander has been named as the college’s new chairman and he takes over the role with immediate effect. He has been appointed to the position for a five year term.
The Chairman’s position has been held on a revolving basis by members of Kerry County Council since the retirement of Flan Garvey in 2013.
In 2012 Mr Garvey stepped aside as Chairman following an allegation that a section of his Masters thesis had been plagiarised. A subsequent investigation found parts of the thesis were plagiarised but that this had been unintentional.
Following the investigation Mr Garvey returned to the role of chairman but he decided to retire in June 2013.
Lionel Alexander is the former CEO of HP Ireland and Vice-President and Managing Director of HP Global Consumer Supplies Business and Development.
He brings a wealth of enterprise and board experience to his new role.
He has served as a board member on the IDA since 2009 and he was previously both the president and a board member of the American Chamber of Commerce.
He also served a six year period as a Board Member of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) and he was also the Governing Board Chairman of Information Communication Technology (ICT) Ireland.
Mr Alexander said he has a long standing interest in “developing the talent and competencies of Irish students” an issue which he sees as key to driving future economic growth and prosperity in the country.
In his role as chair of ICT Ireland he contributed to the introduction of Bonus Points for those taking Honours Level Maths in the Leaving Certificate which has led to an increase in the numbers of students taking Higher Level Maths over recent years.
“I firmly believe that the knowledge and capability which Mr. Alexander can bring to this appointment will ensure that IT Tralee can deliver on all of its objectives,” said Minister Bruton when he announced the appointment on Friday.