CBD

Out & About: Building Irish & American Business Links

John Fitzpatrick (President, Fitzpatrick Hotel Group New York), Willie Walsh (Chief Executive Officer, IAG) who received the 2016 Award for Outstanding Achievement, Brian Stack (President, The Ireland- US Council) and Barbara Koster (Senior VP, Prudential Financial). Photo: James Higgins.

By Irish America Staff
December / January 2017

The Ireland U.S. Council honored Willie Walsh, CEO, International Airlines Group (IAG) at its 54th annual dinner at the New York Metropolitan Club on November 10. Walsh, born in Dublin, began his career as a pilot for Aer Lingus and went on to became the company’s CEO. He eventually moved to British Airways where as CEO, he oversaw the merger of British Airways and Iberia forming IAG in January 2011.

Walsh, who was introduced by Brian Stack, President of the Council, gave a humorous speech relaying that he often gets mistaken for Michael O’Leary, the outspoken CEO of Ryan Airlines. He also apologized to President-elect Donald Trump for any disparaging remarks he may have said about him in the past.

The U.S. Council builds links between Irish and American business leaders and sponsors a number of scholarships and student internship programs. ♦

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