Michael Foley left his post as president and chief executive officer of Heineken USA to join Aer Lingus last September.

Explaining the rationale behind the appointment at the time, the airline's chairman Mr Bernie Cahill said he had the "perfect blend of international business and public company experience to lead an already strong management team through the challenges that lie ahead".

As head of Heineken's US operations since 1994, Mr Foley had helped the Dutch brewing group establish itself as a leading player in the highly competitive US beer market. In the US, he headed an operation with revenues of $650 million (#740.5 million) and more than 250 employees.

From Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Mr Foley graduated from University College Dublin in 1972 with a degree in commerce. He trained as a chartered accountant before going on to work for Noritake, the Japanese pottery company in Arklow, and Penn Aluminum International.

Mr Foley joined Heineken's Irish subsidiary, Murphy Brewery Ireland, as financial controller in 1983. He moved up through the ranks of the Cork-based brewery, becoming sales and marketing director before his appointment as managing director in 1989.

Mr Foley's other activities include his directorship of the American Ireland Fund and the Ireland-US Council for Commerce.