Marine Institute's Dr John Killeen appointed chair of Lifeboats Ireland
7 July 2020 - The Marine Institute has welcomed news of the appointment of Dr John Killeen as chair of Lifeboats Ireland.
A noted engineer, businessman, national administrator and sailing enthusiast, Dr John Killeen has been chair of the Marine Institute since 2014. Apart from his significant and valued contribution to the Marine Institute, Dr Killeen has held a number of other high-ranking positions including Chairing the Committees which oversaw the two visits to Galway of the Volvo Ocean Race. He was President of Engineers Ireland from 1995 to 1996 and a retired managing director of Cold Chon Galway Ltd.
His remarkable administrative talents have been deployed at local, national and international level, with his voluntary input ranging from serving as a Flag Officer of Galway Bay Sailing Club (of which he is now an Honorary Member) to his longtime contribution to running the lifeboats. Dr Killeen is also President of the Timoney Leadership Institute - a charity which promotes International leadership training for Irish CEO's in conjunction with IESE University, Barcelona and visiting professors from Harvard, Notre Dame and IPADE. He became an Honorary Freeman of Galway City in 2012.
Congratulating Dr Killeen on behalf of the Marine Institute, Dr Paul Connolly, CEO said: "John has been Chair of the Marine Institute for almost seven years and has brought his considerable skills and knowledge of the ocean to bear in helping steer the Marine Institute. The Board and staff of the Institute would like to wish John every success in his new role as Chair of Lifeboats Ireland and we look forward to continuing our engagement and support for the organisation".
Lifeboats Ireland have been saving lives at sea for almost 200 years and offer a key service for all those who work and play on our oceans and waterways. Many Marine Institute staff go to sea on both the national research vessels and on commercial fishing vessels and there is a great sense of comfort in knowing that the RNLI are there should an emergency arise at sea.
ENDS