JOE GANTLY:JOE GANTLY, who has died aged 53, was passionate about the economic development of the Cork region and will long be remembered for saving the Apple plant on many occasions, effectively by transforming the computer facility from a basic manufacturing location into a world-class, fully-integrated operations centre employing 1,500 people.
A rare blend of computer engineer, entrepreneur and consultant, he recognised the importance of business leaders taking on a genuine public service role. Not afraid of controversy, he was aware of the challenge facing him as chairman of the fledgling Cork Airport Authority at a time of deep financial turbulence and political infighting. He also served on the governing body of UCC in controversial times.
His untimely death, caused by a heart attack on Wednesday last, came within days of his stepping down as president of Cork Chamber at Monday’s agm. Sadly, his dream of bringing down the golf handicap – he planned to go on a golfing holiday to Portugal with friends next week – will never be fulfilled.
During his two-year presidency, he reorganised the chamber, transforming it into an efficient, streamlined, modern business organisation. Looking back, his keynote address as president was redolent of his unswerving commitment to Cork’s future.
The local economy might be in a better shape today had his call for “aggressive economic development of the Cork region” been answered. The “continued improvement of infrastructure” could have “facilitated the development of indigenous industry”. And more “foreign direct investment and further growth in tourist traffic” might have been attracted to the region.
His successor as chamber president, Ger O’Mahoney, describes him as “a Dublin man born and bred”, observing that he had “adopted Cork and Cork adopted him”.
Recalling his “immense contribution to this city and region” he added that his death at the age of only 53 “robs us all of an extraordinary talent and commitment which enriched Cork and this chamber”.
Joe Gantly’s tenure at Cork Airport Authority was not without controversy. Against a backdrop of seething political anger, he drew considerable flak when he used his casting vote to steer through an acceptance package of €113 million loan debt as the price of independence from the Dublin Airport Authority.
The move followed a promise by the late minister for transport Séamus Brennan that the authority would start life debt-free, unsaddled by the burden of having to foot the bill for building the airport’s new terminal. Disillusioned, he announced he was stepping down as chairman of Cork Airport Authority having completed five years of service.
As a governor of UCC, where he represented the chamber, he was involved in an embarrassing incident in 2005 when the college president, Prof Gerry Wrixon, asked him and another member to withdraw a motion seeking the expulsion of respected UCC academic Prof Des Clarke over comments he had made about a student accommodation complex.
Being an entrepreneur himself, Gantly played an active part on the board of CorkBic, an innovative group that specialises in helping hi-tech entrepreneurs to start up in business.
A graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, he worked for several years with Westinghouse both in America and Europe before joining Apple in 1990. As systems operations manager, he had responsibility for production of its range of products in the European market. In 1998, he became managing director of European operations.
In 2003 he was given the additional responsibility for Apple’s European service and support functions. Under his dynamic leadership as director of European operations at Apple, the Cork plant became a key component of the global company.
He resigned from Apple in 2004 and set up a consultancy firm.
Wearing the mantle of public service, he acted as chairman of the National Institute for Bio-Processing Research and Training. He was also a key player on the Cork Development Forum, where he worked with representatives of local government, educational institutions, the Port of Cork, Construction Industry Federation and State agencies to advance the interests of the Cork region. He also served as a board member of the Tyndall National Institute.
He is survived by his wife Mary and children Seán, David and Niamh.
Joe Gantly: born March 6th, 1956; died May 13th, 2009