Name: David M. Kennedy.

Born: Dublin, 1938.

Education: Terenure College, MSc at UCD.

Occupation: Airline industry specialist.

Family: Married, three sons, one daughter.

Hobbies: Chess, "bad golf".

Why he is in the news: Has just completed a six-month stint as chief operating officer of TWA during which the airline defied many analysts, returning to profits. He was one of three board members who took on the task of rescuing the airline.