Title: Chief executive, Irish Tourism Industry Confederation.

Born: Brosna, Co Kerry.

Family: Married to Ann, they have four adult children, Carol, Maurice, John and David.

Education: St Augustine's College, Dungarvan, Pallaskenry Agricultural College and UCC where he studied food science.

Career: Worked with the Irish Sugar Company before joining ANCO, the former training agency, as head of the food division. Was chief executive of CERT, the hotel training agency and director general of FAS, the Government training and employment authority, before retiring early and going to work for the World Bank in Warsaw. He joined the ITIC in 1984.

Why he is in the news: He is to the forefront in the tourism industry's efforts to reverse losses incurred by the foot-and-mouth crisis.