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The Greening of Sil¦con Valley
By Chris Ryan
The Irish Technology Leadership Group: Who’s
Who
 Scan
the upper ranks of some of Silicon Valley’s top technology powerhouses
and you’ll find them strewn with Irish names like gorse on a Kerry
hillside. These executives have helped pick their companies up from the
dot-com bust and already are developing the next phase of the Internet
era, the socially connective technologies known as Web 2.0. But even as
they help to build this new wave of Silicon Valley prosperity, a circle
of Irish-American leaders are busy planning another wave of innovation
and prosperity – in Ireland.
As the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG), the 17 members come together
to ensure that the Celtic Tiger continues to grow and bring prosperity
to the people of Ireland. It’s the brainchild of John Hartnett,
native of Limerick and Senior Vice President for Global Markets at Palm,
Inc., a Silicon Valley tech company that designs mobile smartphones and
handhelds.
From age 17, Hartnett worked for American technology companies based in
Ireland (attending the University of Limerick at night), and he has continued
to work for companies with Irish operations since moving to California
in 1998. Having seen both the rise of the Celtic Tiger and the technology
boom and bust in Silicon Valley, it’s safe to say Hartnett has developed
a long-term perspective on business.
And he knows that success can cause complacency. “The biggest challenge
for us as a country right now is dealing with success and understanding
the pitfalls it can cause.”
A Warmer (Business) Climate
»The continued strength of the Celtic Tiger cannot be assumed. In
last November’s U.S.-Ireland Forum in New York, Richard Medley,
chairman of an investment management firm, warned the audience that continued
high investment in Ireland is by no means assured. The country still has
a sunny investment climate, but it now has to compete with other economies
that are also courting international firms.
These days, companies that want a new manufacturing plant see low wages
in Central and Eastern Europe, and those that sell services know of India’s
large, English-speaking workforce.
John Hartnett explains, “Ireland can’t compete head-on to
win manufacturing” from some of these countries. Instead, he suggests,
it should move “up the food chain” – pursue knowledge-based,
value-added activities like research and development (R&D), engineering,
science, and technology.
The ITLG wants agencies like the IDA (Industrial Development Agency) to
attract the new tech companies expanding outside the U.S. – “winning
that inward investment.” Hartnett feels his group can do this by
helping the agencies to understand the key criteria for attracting companies,
to market Ireland more effectively, and to exhibit Ireland’s advantages.
“Ireland’s greatest asset is its people,” he says,
“and winning success is selling that.” In addition to technology
leaders, the group includes two members who can bridge the worlds of business
and government. Dermot Tuohy directs the IDA’s West Coast operations
and is responsible for implementing a knowledge-based strategy for the
Irish economy, focusing on information technology, biotechnology, and
the Internet; and Émer Deane promotes Ireland’s interests
in the 13 Western states as a Consul General of Ireland.
According to Hartnett, Ireland is already showing encouraging signs of
transitioning to a new, more advanced economy. In recent years the IDA
has attracted high-tech companies like Google, Palm, Intel, and Bell Labs.
“There’s engineering design and development going on there
. . . It’s really a signal that Ireland can compete in the technology/knowledge
race.”
But transitioning to that post-manufacturing “knowledge economy,”
Hartnett feels, will require fostering more than just a avorable business
climate. It will take a conceptual shift.
The Technological Mind
»“Irish people have always been careful,” John Hartnett
explains. “It’s ‘Protect what you have’ . . .
whereas here in Silicon Valley people go for it – they go for the
big bet, and it doesn’t always win, but when it does win it makes
a big difference.” He has seen the confidence of businesspeople
in Ireland rise over the last 10 years, but he feels it can rise even
higher.
Here in California’s Silicon Valley, stories of young entrepreneurs
are legendary. Nearly unbelievable tales of youth, opportunity, and jaw-dropping
success fuel the efforts of those looking to hatch the next runaway start-up.
And the stories are doubly inspiring because they’re true.
When I attended primary school in Cupertino in the early 1980s, everyone
knew about two guys who started a company out of their garage and called
it Apple Computer. These days the ambitious admire the young man behind
Facebook, who developed the popular social networking site while still
a student at Harvard, and the founders of Google, who created the Internet
search engine while at Stanford; that start-up is now worth $170 billion.
Hartnett wants to know, “Why can’t two guys walk out of Trinity
College in Dublin and create the next Google or Facebook?”
To create the right environment, Hartnett feels, technology needs to
be a top priority in the educational system, in attracting investment,
“and also within our fabric as a country.”
 An
All-Island Economy
»One of the ITLG’s members is Johnny Gilmore, COO of Sling
Media, a Silicon Valley company that develops consumer digital media products.
Gilmore is a native of Northern Ireland and has worked in Dublin, England,
Australia, and California. Now, as he looks to Ireland, he sees a lot
of good schools and a lot of strong talent – not in the North or
the South, but in Ireland as a whole.
So the ITLG is also looking to the six northern counties, working with
Invest Northern Ireland to drive high-tech growth and investment there.
But it’s all part of the same effort. Both governments know that
the world sees Ireland as one, says Gilmore. They are starting to work
well together, he observes, “and it behooves them to.”
There will be challenges, he says, but “it’s all part of the
process.”
I asked Gilmore whether increased trade and investment in the North and
between North and South indirectly benefits peace and reconciliation.
“Absolutely – anything which keeps the economy of the island
thriving is good for continued stability.” But Gilmore notes that
the concepts of “North” and “South” just don’t
exist among businesspeople here in the U.S. “They only see Ireland
as a whole.” Indeed, Gilmore often refers to them together as “the
island of Ireland.”
For Gilmore and the ITLG, it’s not about politics. “We know
from our own personal experiences and contacts that there are exciting
and attractive companies and investment opportunities all over the island.”
Of course, many in government are still discussing the peace process and
working to ensure its completion – and rightly so. At the same time,
others like the ITLG are proceeding as though it is, in fact, complete.
And perhaps that’s the best way to ensure that it’s so.
The Greening of NASDAQ
»The group plans to do more than foster the right climate within
Ireland. They also want to help Irish companies doing business elsewhere.
John Hartnett points out that while Israel has 75 companies on America’s
tech-heavy NASDAQ stock exchange, Ireland has only six or seven.
But what can a handful of Irish Americans in California do to help businesses
5,000 miles away?
“We can’t help 3,000 different companies,” Hartnett
says, “but what we can do is help technology-based companies in
Ireland .to be successful in the U.S.” Particularly small companies,
adds Gilmore, which don’t have access to or may not realize the
opportunities here.
The group’s aid may include coaching, helping to develop business
strategies, and even interesting the members’ own companies in symbiotic
relationships like buying, licensing, or investing in the technologies
of Irish start-ups.
“So,” Hartnett predicts, “if we can help those seven
[Irish NASDAQ companies] become 15 and become 20, that can have a major
impact.”
Together, Then Forward
»When Hartnett started the ITLG late last year, he wasn’t
fully aware of all the other “success stories” around –
Irish-Americans who have worked their way to the top of American companies,
often with IDA assistance. But since then, Hartnett has been approached
by many tech executives, whether first, second, or third-generation diaspora,
“who reached out once they heard this is going on. And it’s
not just Silicon Valley; also San Diego, Chicago, New York, Boston, Texas
– just everywhere.”
“It’s been great to be able to join the dots,” Hartnett
smiles.
The group wants to create a network where Irish technology leaders in
the U.S. can connect. Their first event is coming up in late March. Together
with Irish America, the ITLG will host the first annual awards dinner,
and honor Craig Barrett, Chairman, Intel Corporation and Ireland’s
Minister for Enterprise, Micheál Martin. It’s a chance to
recognize top leaders of Irish heritage in the technology sector.
For Hartnett, it’s also a major opportunity to show off the West
Coast.
“The West Coast is the center, not just of the U.S., but the center
of the world when you talk about technology,” he beams. “We
plan to give the East Coast a run for their money.”
The group is also busy planning an event, slated for this summer, which
would bring Irish companies over and put them together with local business
technology veterans and venture capital “angels.” They would
get help with their business plans, their sales pitches, and potentially
even funding.
Aside from Palm, Inc. and Sling Media, the group includes leaders from
numerous other Silicon Valley companies with bases in Ireland, from Apple
to Intel to Google. The ITLG wants to ensure these companies are as competitive
as possible in Ireland, to the benefit not only of themselves but the
Emerald Isle, too. Intel, for example, is one of the island’s largest
employers, and Google, which already employs 1,500 people in Dublin, is
looking to recruit 200 more.
Indeed, much of Ireland’s growth may still be ahead of it. But forward-looking
strategists like the ITLG know the Celtic Tiger is not invincible. Hartnett
and his group hope that their expertise, networking, planning, and hard
work might help take Ireland – the whole island – into a new
phase of investment and prosperity.
Call it the Celtic Tiger, 2.0.
The Irish Technology Leadership Group:
Who’s Who
 Conrad
Burke
Conrad Burke is President & CEO of Innovalight, Inc., a solar energy
startup based in Sunnyvale, CA. Conrad is from Dublin, Ireland and has
lived in the U.S. for the past 10 years. His career has spanned venture
capital, R&D, product management, marketing, sales and general management
in renewable energy, semiconductors and IT.
Conrad was named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and
has represented Innovalight at the annual event in Davos, Switzerland.
He has an MS in Physics from Trinity College, Dublin, a BS in Physics
from University College, Dublin and has also attended The London Business
School.
 Émer
Deane
Émer Deane was appointed Consul General of Ireland to the Western
United States in October 2005. She was born and raised in Dublin. As Consul
General, she is responsible for promoting Ireland’s interests and
protecting and supporting the Irish community in the 13 Western states
of the Union.
Deane was educated at University College Dublin and at Trinity College
Dublin. She has previously worked on European Union matters including
during Ireland’s 1996 EU presidency. Her partner, David Owens, is
a career civil servant in Ireland’s Finance Ministry. They have
a son and two daughters.
 Rory
Dooley
Rory Dooley has over 20 years’ experience in the global high tech
industry. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President & General
Manager of the Control Device Business Unit in Logitech.
He has worked for Logitech in Asia, the Americas and Europe and was instrumental
in bringing Logitech to Cork, in 1988. He has also served as CEO of Linkvest
(a Swiss-based software services company) and as a partner in Endeavor
Advisors (a Geneva-based VC fund). Rory is married with two children and
lives in the San Francisco Bay area. He holds an engineering degree from
Trinity College Dublin.
 Andrew
Duggan
Andrew Duggan is Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer
of LPL Financial, a leading diversified financial services company and
the largest independent broker/dealer. Duggan has been instrumental in
managing the firm’s growth through technology innovation, operational
excellence and business strategy.
Before joining LPL Financial, he held senior executive positions in management
consulting organizations such as Accenture and Viant. He has also led
venture-funded start-up companies. His extensive experience ranges from
sales, technology and operations to executive level management. Duggan
received his Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Limerick in
1989.
Brian Fitzgerald
Brian has thirty years of experience in operations and general management
within the global high tech industry. He has held senior management and
executive management positions with Apple, Claris and Intuit. Brian has
also held executive management positions with several early-stage start-up
companies.
 Johnny
Gilmore
Johnny Gilmore runs the global operations of Sling Media, a provider
of consumer digital media products. Gilmore has led the company to rapid
growth across North America and Europe.
Prior to joining Sling, Johnny worked in the high-tech consumer electronics
industry in Northern California and Europe, and in the strategic and operations
consulting practices of Arthur Andersen and Andersen Consulting. Johnny
has a BA in Economics from the University of Manchester and is a Fellow
of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He lives
in San Jose, California with his wife Orla and their four young children.
 Gary
Hanley
Gary Hanley has over twelve years’ experience in the ICT industry
in the U.S. and has held positions of leadership in software development,
IT, sales and marketing for companies such as Sun Microsystems, GTE (now
Verizon) and EMC.
He was appointed Senior Vice President - North America for Invest Northern
Ireland in May 2007 and manages a team of 20 sales staff. Residing in
Boston, Massachusetts, Gary holds a Bachelor of Business Studies from
the University of Limerick as well as a Master of Business Studies from
the National University of Ireland at Galway.
 John
Hartnett
As Senior Vice President of Global Markets, John Hartnett is responsible
for Palm, Inc.’s worldwide sales, service and support. Palm
provides mobile computing solutions to consumers and business.
Hartnett is a native of Limerick, and on the board of the University
of Limerick Foundation. He is a Munster Rugby enthusiast, and a founding
member of Munster Rugby USA. He is a member of The American Ireland
Fund and the US-Ireland Alliance. A partner in Atlantic Bridge Ventures,
a venture capital firm with offices in Dublin and London, he is married
with four children and resides in Los Gatos, California.
 Chris
Horn
Chris Horn is vice chairman of the board and co-founder of IONA Technologies
Dublin, Ireland.
Horn received his Ph.D. in Computer Science in 1983. From 1984 until 1994,
he was a lecturer in the Computer Science Department at Trinity College,
Dublin, where he was involved in many pan-European IT research projects.
He also worked in Brussels for the European Commission, and was an integral
part of the ten-year “Esprit” program designed to improve
the continent's technology industry. Horn is vice president of the chartered
engineering body in Ireland, Engineers Ireland. He is currently the non
executive chairman of UNICEF Ireland.
 John
McIntyre
John McIntyre is Senior Vice President, Software Service & Emerging
Markets, of Enterprise Ireland’s Silicon Valley office. McIntyre
leads the team charged with driving market momentum for Irish software
and technology companies in the North American marketplace.
Prior to his present position, McIntyre co-founded InnerWorkings, an
e-learning company for software developers, and spent time at SmartForce
(now Skillsoft) as Director of Business Development, and Intel Corp. where,
as Director of Business Market Development, he partnered closely with
Intel Capital to fund emerging technology and software companies. McIntyre
holds a BSEE from Marquette University.
 Rory
McInerney
Rory M. McInerney is vice president of the Digital Enterprise Group
and director of the Enterprise Microprocessor Group at Intel, Inc. In
2007, McInerney received an Intel Achievement Award for delivering the
Tulsa Xeon-MP processor to market ahead of schedule. He holds two U.S.
patents on microprocessor microarchitecture.
Prior to joining Intel, McInerney was a member of the research staff
at the Philips Research Laboratory in The Netherlands. McInerney graduated
from the National University of Ireland, Cork, in 1986 with a bachelor’s
degree in electrical engineering. He graduated from Santa Clara University
in 1997 with a master’s degree in business administration.
Diarmuid O’Connell
Diarmuid O’Connell is the Director of Corporate Development for
Tesla Motors, the San Carlos manufacturer of high performance electric
cars. His portfolio encompasses the development of commercial deals to
expand the company’s corporate and market infrastructure. Before
joining Tesla Motors, he served as Chief of Staff in the Bureau of Political
Military Affairs at the Department of State under Secretary Colin Powell.
O’Connell, who began his career with Coca-Cola, holds master’s
Degrees in business from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and
in foreign policy from the University of Virginia. He is based in San
Francisco.
Niall O’Connor
Niall O’Connor has been Apple’s Chief Information Officer
since 1997. He led the company through a major transformation highlighted
by a streamlined systems environment. He joined Apple in 1991 and assumed
full responsibility for the IT function’s global application development
efforts. Prior to this, he served as a System Consultant at Eurolink.
O’Connor, who received his degree in Computer Science from the
National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, Ireland, held management
positions in IT at Homedica in Limerick, and Westinghouse in Shannon.
 John
O’Grady
John O’Grady is Chairman of Eastman Kodak SA, Managing Director
of Europe, Africa and Middle East Consumer Businesses, and Vice President
of Eastman Kodak, with responsibility for leading Kodak’s strategic
marketing, sales and business operations in the EAMER region.
John joined Kodak in 1997 following a 12-year career at Verbatim. During
this time he was involved in several technical and business capacities
in Ireland, the UK, Japan and the U.S. John graduated from the University
of Limerick in Ireland with a Bachelor of Science in Electronics in 1990.
John is married with four children and is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
 Craig
Barrett
The chairman of Intel Corporation, Craig Barrett will be honored by
Irish America and the Irish Technology Leaders Group at the Silicon Valley
Awards on March 27 at Stanford University. Barrett was an Associate Professor
in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford before
joining Intel in 1974.
As chairman of the board of Intel, Barrett is an advocate for improving
social and economic conditions around the world through value technology.
Intel Ireland employs over 5,000 employees at its Leixlip campus (both
high-skilled and contract workers), and as such it has been a major contributor
to the performance of the Irish economy. In April 2005 the operation announced
that the one-billionth microchip had been manufactured by the Leixlip-based
operation.
 Barry
O’Sullivan
As Senior Vice President of Cisco’s Voice Technology Group, Barry
O’Sullivan leads a team of voice industry executives who are responsible
for Cisco’s business units related to voice and unified communications.
Before joining Cisco, O’Sullivan spent 18 years at Nortel Networks
as vice president and general manager of the contact center business and,
prior to that, as vice president of Enterprise Voice for Nortel Networks
Europe. O’Sullivan holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical
engineering and a master’s degree in computer science from the National
University of Ireland as well as a master’s degree in business administration
from Santa Clara University, California.
 Tony
Redmond
Tony Redmond is Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of HP Services
and the HP Security Program Office at Hewlett-Packard Company. Redmond
is responsible for security initiatives that span HP’s business
units, and for the technology strategy and leadership of HP Services,
the world’s third-largest IT services provider.
Prior to the merger of HP and Compaq Computer, he managed Compaq’s
Applied Microsoft Technology Group, before serving as the chief technology
officer for Compaq Professional Services and Compaq Global Services. Redmond
has written nine books, including Microsoft Exchange 2003, published in
November 2003. He is also a contributing editor to Windows.Net magazine.
 Dermot
Tuohy
Dermot Tuohy has been with IDA Ireland, the Irish government’s
Investment and Development Agency, for over 30 years. He is Senior Vice
President and Director of IDA Ireland’s West Coast operations. Tuohy
has had a pivotal role in advising many major U.S. corporations on setting
up their operations in Ireland. He is now responsible for implementing
a new knowledge-based strategy for Ireland’s economy, focusing on
advanced technologies and R&D.
Tuohy is a graduate of University College Dublin, and holds a master’s
degree in economics. He is married to Anne Marie Foley and has two sons. |
