​

• The purpose of this Council is to build business links between America and Ireland.

• The Council also operates a variety of scholarship and student internship programs, stages occasional seminars and, from time to time, undertakes various publishing initiatives in national business media in the United States to promote closer commercial connections between Ireland and America

• The Council seeks also to focus on activities that will develop communications, dialogue and improved understanding between leaders in business and government on both sides of the Atlantic.

• In the U.S., the Council also sponsors regular luncheon meetings and other events to host distinguished visitors. The Council stages an annual Winter Meeting in Florida each February.

• Through its Award for Outstanding Achievement, presented each year at the Annual Dinner, the Council honors persons who have made significant contributions to the development of closer economic, business or commercial ties between the two countries. The Council's Annual Award is a citation of distinction which has been presented to some of the leading figures in Ireland and in the United States.

 

I am thrilled to be here today and thank you to Ireland and to the US for having me. 

I am extremely honored to be recognised among the previous winners of this award and I would like to accept it today on behalf of my wife Maureen, my children Emma, Simon, Christopher and John, the many co-workers that have worked with me and helped me to achieve the great success I have had, my friends and dignitaries and with thanks to UIreland and the US. 

 

I am amoung a group of elite individuals who have all made significant contributions to the development of closer economic, business or commercial ties between Ireland and the United States, and it gives me great pride to be included in such a distinguished group

 

To share a little bit of my background

a. Redquartz then – beginning, growth
b. Partnerships – key partnerships, continued growth, building blocks

c. Integrity – down to the people
d. Redquartz now – success and ties to United States and the world
1. Pragelato / Ireland (examples)
2. Sawgrass

III. Challenge / Legacy – from the mission statement

a. Internships – young people are invited to participate in an internship in the US office, take time to visit the website for the Ireland – US Council, there are several principles that I find very similar to the foundation that have made Redquartz
successful (**this part talks about the youth as stated in mission statement)

​

1. Young people have great ideas and need a place to express them, to be nurtured and grow.

2. Computer age - internet

3. Winter meeting in Florida – Buffett, the oracle of Omaha, better known as Warren Buffett, hosts a summit of many business which has a purpose for business to network together, sharing ideas, technology, etc. (**this part talks about the annual meeting as stated in mission statement)

4. Challenging our staff to take part in the council’s winter meeting at Sawgrass in Jacksonville, Florid

5. Challenge all the members to bring 3 guests to grow this great foundation to benefit all. I will do the same with each of our companies.

 

I encourage the council to select next year’s honoree from one of the new businesses that will meet at the winter meeting in florida. Hopefully that business will encompass all of the great principles that are set forth in the council’s mission statement including youth, communication, and economic ties between the great countries of Ireland and the United States.

​