SETU Executive MBA graduate, Mark Owens has been selected as the first-ever Irish Honorary Consul General in Ohio, based in Cleveland. Owens will be recognised during St Patrick’s Day events hosted by the Irish Embassy in Washington, D.C.
H.E. Geraldine Byrne Nason, Irish Ambassador to the U.S., acknowledges how Owens’ appointment would reinforce connections between the region, the state, and Ireland. “Ohio has a long and proud connection to Ireland, and many Irish immigrants contributed to the canals and railways that shaped Ohio and its destiny,” she said.
“Mark’s appointment is a recognition of these historic and enduring links and a signal of our intent to continue to develop the cultural and economic ties between Ohio and Ireland. I am confident that Mark will represent both Ireland and Ohio with great commitment and imagination. My congratulations to Mark, and his family Maria, Lillian, and Eamon on this honour.”
He became a dual Irish and American citizen in 2011, more than a decade after a study abroad programme with John Carroll University’s Boler College of Business first brought him to the Northeast Ohio Region. Owens recently obtained his Executive MBA from Ireland’s South East Technological University (SETU).
Deeply involved in Northeast Ohio’s Irish community, Owens serves as president of the Cleveland Irish Network, executive regional vice president of the Irish Network USA, member of the West Side Irish-American Club, past honoree/outside chair of the Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade, past winner of the Irish Echo 40 Under 40 Award, member of the Irishtown Bend Park strategy and development committee, and co-chair of the Global Cleveland Sister City Committee, which includes County Mayo and Achill Island in Ireland.
Commenting on his appointment, Prof Denis Harrington, Head of Graduate Business says, “We are delighted to learn of Mark’s appointment as Honorary Consul General in Ohio. It is a fitting testimony to his commitment to supporting the development of Irish-US business and cultural relations.
“Mark recently completed his Executive MBA at SETU’s Waterford campus and benefited from the new blended delivery model that has been introduced to the programme.
“We wish him well in his new role. Mark has served as a direct conduit for government and civic organizations in the U.S. as well as Ireland and the United Kingdom, including Enterprise Ireland, Ireland Department of Foreign Affairs, JobsOhio, American Chamber of Commerce Ireland (AmCham), and SelectUSA. He has also worked with the Consulate of Ireland to facilitate Irish Ambassador and Irish Consulate visits to Ohio over the past 10 years.”
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