We are pleased to inform you that Dermot O’Brien has been appointed to succeed Paul Porteous as Chief Executive of the CBAI with effect from 1 September.
Paul is owed a great debt of gratitude for his outstanding service to the Association over more than thirty years, initially on a voluntary basis, and, since 1992, as General Secretary, and subsequently Chief Executive. His calm and efficient stewardship has seen Irish bridge thrive over this period. He also oversaw great change, including the opening of the CBAI’s offices in 1999; it may surprise more recent members to learn that previously, Paul managed all aspects of the Association, including equipment hire and sales, from his home! Paul has also served at European level, one of only a few Irish people to do so, being elected to the European Bridge League Executive in 2014, and as Honorary Secretary of the League, a post he will retain, the following year. To the surprise of no-one, he has indicated that he will continue to be involved in Irish bridge, although he is looking forward to doing some more travelling with his wife, Maureen, also recently retired. We are certain that all associated with Irish bridge will join us in wishing them a long, happy, and healthy retirement together. We hope to mark Paul’s retirement with a function of some kind if we can, but members will appreciate that public health regulations will take priority, and that, even if we can go ahead, numbers may be limited.
For those of you who don’t know Dermot, he is a bridge player and teacher who, after a career in financial services during which he earned an MBA from UCD, has worked part-time in the CBAI for the past three years. As with Paul, Dermot has done his bit as a volunteer within the Association. He is a former President and Secretary of Dublin South Region, is just finishing a five-year stint as Governing Council Secretary, and is currently Convenor of both the Junior and Teaching Committee, although he intends to relinquish both these roles. We are sure you will join us in wishing him every success in his new role.