BOARD MEMBERS

SAM KING - VICE PRESIDENT
Founding Director, The Signcraft Group

Sam King, Founding Director of The Signcraft Group, migrated from Dublin in 1958 on the completion of his sign writing apprenticeship. After managing a major sign company in Australia for eleven years he then formed Signcraft in 1971. Initially servicing Victoria, Signcraft soon evolved into The Signcraft Group, expanding its manufacturing and installation base to New South Wales in 1992, South Australia in 1994 and to Queensland in 2004. The Signcraft Group then made significant steps towards greater vertical integration through the creation of two further separate business entities; SignGuard and SignCorp, and in 2006, began its global expansion through joint ventures in China and India. From its modest beginnings, Sam has successfully grown Signcraft into Australia’s leading signage company providing turnkey solutions in the area of signage throughout Australia, New Zealand and the South East Asian region. Along with Gerry Higgins and colleagues, Sam was also a founder of The Irish Australia Chamber of Commerce. Having been involved from the beginning, he has served on the board and has been an active corporate sponsor. In 2002, he was made a life member and currently holds the position of Vice President. 
  

JOHN MCMORROW - SECRETARY

Director, Leadership Management Australia

John McMorrow has more than 20 years successful experience in general management, strategic planning and senior executive roles and is currently the Director and Partner of the business Leadership Management Australia. His industry experience covers the manufacturing and service sectors, working for a number of blue chip organizations, as well as a family owned SME. Outside of work, he is actively involved in community service through Rotary International and also pursues an interest in a number of sports including skiing and soccer. He also enjoys travel, food/wine and engages in other activities through his family. John has supplemented his technical skills with Marketing and Management qualifications and holds an MBA in International Management. In terms of Irish heritage, John’s Father (dec. 1982) was born in Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim and his Mother is from Kenmare, Co. Kerry. He was born in London and grew up in Bedfordshire before relocating to Sydney in 1977 and Melbourne since 1980. 
 

DENNIS O’KEEFFE - TREASURER
Chief Financial Officer, Ambit Recruitment Group
Dennis O’Keeffe has held senior executive positions across a number of industries and is currently employed as Chief Financial Officer with Ambit Recruitment Group. Ambit is Australia’s largest privately owned recruitment company and is an industry leader in IT recruitment. Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in Ireland, Dennis immigrated to Melbourne from Waterford, in 1986. Dennis is married to Susan with 2 daughters and has been a member of the Chamber for several years.

MARK O’REILLY - MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Managing Director, National Hospitality Management
Mark O’Reilly is currently Managing Director of National Hospitality Management, which manage well known bars the Elephant & Wheelbarrow and Bridie O' Reilly's.  Mark was born in Longford and comes from a strong hotel background in Ireland, since moving to Australia in 1996, he has worked in the hospitality management sector. 

CHRISTINA MOLOUGHNEY - EVENT PLANNER 
Managing Director, Emerald Travel
Chris Moloughney has worked in the travel industry for 16 years in a number of positions, including roles with the airlines, coach touring and the development of internet travel consultancy. In 2002, Chris opened Emerald Travel as a family business. Since then, Emerald Travel has specialised in corporate and leisure travel, and is currently one of the top independent agents in Victoria. Chris studied at Monash University where she completed a bachelor degree in politics and sociology, and post-graduate diplomas in both Australian tourism and business management. Born in Melbourne, Chris’ parents came from County Tipperary, and the family has maintained a strong involvement with the Irish community since arriving in Australia in 1969. Her brother Patrick was president of the IACC in 2003 and 2004 and her father Seamus has been a board member, and is currently president of the Celtic Club. Chris is involved with the Irish program on Radio 3ZZZ as both presenter and producer, and is currently deputy convenor. She claims that music, in particular singing is her passion and has performed at many IACC events. 
 

MARY FAY - STAKEHOLDERS & NETWORK
Regional Manager, Australian Homecare Services
Mary Fay has 15 years experience working as a senior manager which, involved responsibility for service provision, financial management and liaison with Government and non Government funding bodies. Mary’s current position involves managing the provision of quality in-home support to a diverse range of clients, ranging from frail aged to young people with acquired brain injury, as a result of road traffic trauma.
Originally from Co. Tipperary, Mary emigrated from Ireland 20 years ago with her husband and 2 children, after obtaining her nursing degree and has worked for the Not For Profit Disability Sector in Victoria ever since. Her interests outside of work include travel, keeping fit, and involvement with her local community.