The Cork Electronic Industry Association (CEIA) www.ceia.ie held its 28th AGM on Wednesday 28th November last at Maryborough House Hotel Douglas Cork.

Sean Gayer (Chairman) welcomed the large gathering and a review of the year’s events was presented to the members in attendance.

The CEIA holds monthly business briefings exclusively for its members where topics of mutual interest are discussed formally presented by a guest speaker for the evening.

The topics are generally related to Market Expansion, Supply Chain Optimisation and Cost Efficiencies. These briefings also provide an invaluable and trusted networking platform for the attendees.

The CEIA, supported by Discover Science & Engineering, has created a very comprehensive Electrical/Electronic Engineering Outreach program which aims to introduce Engineering & Science to second levels students in a manner that will promote interest as discussion regarding career choice. Some of the programs the CEIA run are as follows; High Tech Elec Transition Year Work Experience, Annual Schools Robotics Competition, & Exploring Electronics Teacher Training Course.

After a comprehensive review of the Association’s activities, the members elected the following Officers and Board Members for the forthcoming year;

Chairman: Sean Gayer (Option Wireless Ltd.)
Vice Chairman: Paul Deasy (Moog Ireland Ltd.)
Secretary & Treasurer: Brendan Butler (EMC Ireland)
Innovation Chair: Jerry Fitzpatrick (Flextronics)
Skills & Education Chair: Brenda Cooper (Horner APG Europe)
Committee Members: Dermot Hargaden (Altera), Tom Fitzgerald (Bard na nGleann), Frank Sharpe (Genesis Circuits Ltd.), Joan O’Sullivan (Netgear International Ltd.) & Donnacha O’Riordan (S3 Group).
Statutory Committee Members: Dr. Nabeel Riza (UCC), Dr. Joe Connell (CIT), Valerie Cowman (FAS), Enda McDonnell (Enterprise Ireland), Ray O’Connor (IDA Ireland)
The Honorary Auditors of Frank Morley (Logitech Ireland) & Brian English (Robiac) were re-elected.

Patrick Howlin, Executive, IDA Ireland addressed the meeting to give an overview of the IDA’s strategy in relation to the ICT sector.

Speaking after the AGM, Sean Gayer stated that he was honoured to be re-elected Chairman of the CEIA, an association with a strong history and tradition over its 28 year existence; “The CEIA continues to play a very relevant and important role to our members through our regular Business Briefings and ongoing Outreach Programs”.

Sean Gayer, CEIA Chairman

Sean Gayer is General Manager of Option Wireless Limited, a subsidiary of Option NV, Belgium, which is a leading innovator in the design, development and manufacture of wireless connectivity solutions. Prior to joining Option Wireless Limited in 2007, Sean worked for GN ReSound Ireland Limited, a hearing healthcare company, for 12 years serving as the Financial Director & VP Ireland Operations. He has extensive experience in the management of manufacturing and distribution organisations. A Commerce Graduate from UCC, Sean is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.

2013 CEIA Board Members: R-L (Top) Jerry Fitzpatrick Flextronics, Tom Fitzgerald BARD, Donnacha O’Riordan S3 Group, Paul Deasy MOOG, Dr. Kevin McCarthy UCC, Frank Sharpe Genesis Circuits, Dr. Joe Connell CIT, Dermot Hargaden Altera, Ray O’Connor IDA, (Bottom) Brenda Cooper Horner APG Europe, Sean Gayer Option Wireless, Valerie Cowman FAS, Brendan Butler EMC, Joan O’Sullivan NETGEAR

2013 Officers of CEIA (R-L) Brendan Butler EMC, Secretary & Treasurer, Sean Gayer Option Wireless, Chairman, Paul Deasy MOOG, Vice Chairman, Brenda Cooper Horner APG, Chair of Skills & Education subgroup, Jerry Fitzpatrick Flextronics, Chair of Innovation subgroup

CEIA 28th AGM – Nov 28th 2012
(R-L) Sean Gayer, Chairman CEIA, Pat Howlin, Executive IDA (Guest Speaker at AGM)