John Roche | President
For the past 30 years, John has been assisting companies by providing managerial advice in the areas of strategy…
John Roche | President
For the past 30 years, John has been assisting companies by providing managerial advice in the areas of strategy…
For the past 30 years, John has been assisting companies by providing managerial advice in the areas of strategy digital transformation and alignment. Through business and financial planning, development of an effective marketing strategy and improving process utilizing cutting-edge technologies, John has been able to bring measurable impact to many organizations across multiple industries in several countries. His mother was Annie Josephine Igoe from Carnacon, Claremorris and his father was John Vincent Roche from Clogher, Claremorris. John attended Belcarra NS for a few years of his childhood and returned to Mayo after university where he ran several businesses in Castlebar. He relocated with his wife and children to Pennsylvania, USA in 2005.
Patrick Dunne | Treasurer
Patrick has spent most of his working life in business development roles with a key focus on leverage data analytics…
Patrick has spent most of his working life in business development roles with a key focus on leverage data analytics to drive business impact. Currently he is working with in SAP who are a multinational software corporation. In his role, Patrick is part of Global enablement team that have a remit to drive SAP’s strategy and vision with their extensive Partner community. Being allowed to work remotely allowed Patrick to return home to his native Mayo in 2015 after working spending most of his working life in Dublin, Ireland. Since then he has immersed himself in his local GAA club where he has worked in numerous roles in the executive committee. Also he is an advocate for Mayo Mental Health Association and has contributed to and lead numerous amount of initiatives with them throughout the years. He is happily married to his wife Kelly.
James T. O’Hora | Secretary
James was born in the Bronx and moved to Allendale, N.J. when he was nine. He grew-up with three older brothers and one younger sister …
James was born in the Bronx and moved to Allendale, N.J. when he was nine. He grew-up with three older brothers and one younger sister and his parents are both natives of County Mayo. His late father Michael hailed from Kiltimagh and after working in Manchester, England for five years, he arrived in NYC in 1956. James’ mother Sarah Ellen (Evelyn) O’Gara is a native of Claremorris and arrived in NYC in 1952. James is a graduate of Montclair State University and also completed an MPA from Rutgers University. He has worked in financial services for thirty years including business development roles at the NYSE, Merrill Lynch and the Irish Stock Exchange and currently works in business development from an innovative digital bank. James has resided in New Canaan, Connecticut for over twenty years with his wife Maureen and a college age daughter and son. He is active in the Stamford, CT Ancient Order of Hibernians and Knights of Columbus at St Aloysius parish.
Caroline Kneafsey
Caroline is a first generation American Irish, with her mother coming from Foxford Co Mayo and father from Culdalee, Attymass Parish Co. Sligo.
Caroline is a first generation American Irish, with her mother coming from Foxford Co Mayo and father from Culdalee, Attymass Parish Co Sligo. She has deep roots in the Mayo area from having spent summers on her grandparents farms and still having many aunts, uncles and over 60 first cousins in the region.
Professionally her first career out of college was as Family Service Director for Princeton YMCA before moving into the Stem/Tech world having a variety of leadership and management roles with BT (British Telecom) for 20 years working with global accounts and now at Kinly a global tech and collaboration company.
She currently lives in the Philadelphia area with her college age son and has participated in the local Irish community serving on the board of the Delaware County Gaels – Youth Gaelic Sports League, CYC committee and Philadelphia Irish Chamber of Commerce Women’s Committee.
Loretta Kenny
Loretta is originally from Castlebar, Co. Mayo and spent almost 30 years in New York…
Loretta is originally from Castlebar, Co. Mayo and spent almost 30 years in New York where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Finance & Investments and has over 20 years experience working as a Human Resources Professional for Global Companies and as an independent HR Consultant. She also held the position of CAO for a Chicago-based consulting firm running their office in Times Square. Loretta has relocated to Castlebar where she runs a HR Consulting Business and is the Secretary of the Board for Mayo Addiction And Suicide Awareness, a charity based in Castlebar.
John Richards
John’s family line hails from the Co. Down region, primarily in the Greater Newry area…
John’s family line hails from the Co. Down region, primarily in the Greater Newry area. However, Since making his first visit to Mayo back in 2002, has been a staunch supporter and admirer of the Mayo area, and has made it a must stop on every subsequent visit since. John recognizes the untapped potential of the area, and is proud to lend his support to CMF.
Professionally John has been widely recognized as a creative industry leader in the technical staffing and consulting industry for the past 20+ years. His client lists and those who recommend John is a who’s who list of high profile companies and executives, spanning both coasts, as well as numerous Ireland based relationships.
Additionally. John is the Founder and current President of the Irish American Business Network, a grassroots social media driven network that started in 2008. Today the IABN as it’s known possess roughly 17,000 members, in 24 different countries, and has provided its members with untold business and social opportunities.The IABN also has been a force for good, being involved with several charities on both sides of the Atlantic over this time, and successfully raised tens of thousands of dollars for worthy causes..
John resides in San Clemente California, a small beach community located precisely in between Los Angeles and San Diego, with his wife and 2 kids.
John is an avid sports fan, particularly football (both footballs), very active in politics, and enjoys all things beach related.