Chamber Board
Stephen Stack, President
Stephen was elected President of Tralee Chamber in November 2023. He was first appointed to the Board in November 2021.
A Senior Branch Manager with AIB across Kerry, Clare and Limerick, Stephen is an experienced community banker with strong leadership, communication, compliance and decision making skills.
He is a leader of people for the past 26 years with excellent interpersonal skills and a sustained record of relentless customer focus and business growth. His role in founding the Listowel Business & Community Alliance in 2017 proved critical to the launch of several successful projects for the town including the Town Centre Health Check, Secured €50k Town & Village funding to develop a 3 year Economic & Marketing Plan and a new town website with support from Kerry County Council. A staunch GAA man, Stephen chaired up a €1.5 million of his own club Listowel Emmets redevelopment, a former All Ireland winning defender, previously managed Austin Stacks to club county championship and Munster club championship in 2014.
Colette O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer
Colette was appointed CEO of Tralee Chamber Alliance in October 2021. A management consultant specialising in hospitality and events, she has a proven track record of project management and was a founding member of the Listowel Business & Community Alliance.
Colette sits on a number of committees including the Kerry Economic Stakeholder Forum, the Kerry Chambers and is a director on the Board of the Kerry Tourism Industry Federation. Colette is responsible for the operational activities of the Chamber working with the President and Board of Directors in developing the overall strategic plan and coordinating its implementation through the Chamber Steering Group.
John Reen, Steering Group Chairperson
John was appointed to the Board in November 2021 and is the Managing Director of Murphy & Sheehy Insurances Limited which is located at 11 Denny Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
John acquired the company outright in April 2019. As a Certified Insurance Practitioner and Qualified Financial Advisor, John has focused on the commercial sector of General Insurances. Coupled with Qualified Financial Advice, John brings the full range of financial and risk management services to the clients of Murphy & Sheehy Insurances. John serves on the Executive Committee of Na Gaeil C.L.G and the St. Brendan’s District Board. He has also served on the Committee at Tralee Golf Club.
Siobhán Rivas May, Treasurer
Siobhán qualified as a chartered accountants with PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2002 before joining a multinational company for 2 years as a consolidations accountant for EMEA prior to joining Peevers Slye Cotter, now PSC Accountants & Advisors in 2004, where she is a partner. Siobhán has extensive experience across a wide range of industries. She heads up the auditing division of the practice and specialises in the provision of audit, accounting and assurance services to medium to large sized companies, charities and owner managed businesses in all sectors of industry.
Siobhán is driven by working closely with her clients, developing great relationships and identifying areas of growth and efficiencies for them. She is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a graduate of Dublin City University.
Aidan Turner
Aidan was formally appointed to the Board of Directors in November 2021. Aidan has been the Manager of J Turners since 2000, his family’s pub business started by his father Jerry and mother Carmel in 1976.
Since taking over, he oversaw the refurbishment and restructuring of the bar which is now one of Kerry’s top sports and music venues, which comprises of 3 bars. Prior to this, Aidan gained extensive experience through roles across Ireland and the UK. Aidan is a keen follower of local sporting & arts groups.
Mark Sullivan
Mark was formally appointed to the Board of Directors in November 2021. Mark has been General Manager of The Rose Hotel since 2015.
When Mark took over the role as General Manager, his first task was to oversee the refurbishment and restructuring of The Rose Hotel which is now one of Kerry’s leading 4 star hotels, comprising 161 bedrooms, Dott’s bar, two restaurants, extensive conference & banqueting facilities, Serenity Spa and Spirit Gym.
Since moving to Tralee in 1996 Mark has held senior roles in both Ballyroe Heights Hotel and The Brandon Hotel. Before this, Mark gained extensive experience working in Germany and the UK along with numerous roles in Ireland. He has keen interest in GAA, soccer & tennis and enjoys local walks & cycles on the many scenic areas around the town.
Sarah Flaherty
Sarah was appointed to the Board in December 2022 and is the External Services Manager, Munster Technological University.
15+ years’ experience in non-profit, start-up and financial investment companies in Ireland, the US and the UK. Supporting the activities of the Development Office, responsible for development of enterprise support initiatives at MTU and Kerry Innovation Centre, funding acquisition, innovation management, lifelong learning, and promotion and delivery of services to industrial, commercial and organisations, leading to enterprise development and employment.
Daire McCann
Daire was formally appointed to the board in October 2024. She co-founded Crean McCann Property an all female estate agency firm in Tralee in February 2024, and brings over 22 years of combined experience to the property industry.
Her expertise extends to preparing comprehensive valuation reports, ensuring accuracy and insight in every transaction. With a dedication to excellence and a commitment to client communication and satisfaction, she strives to navigate the complexities of the real estate market with precision and integrity.
Daire has a degree in Estate Management Surveying and is a member of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers.
Siobhán Ní Mhathúna
Siobhán Ní Mhathúna was formally appointed to the Board of Directors in November 2024. Siobhán is General Manager of the Award-winning Meadowlands Hotel and is the second generation of the family-run, 4-star hotel in Tralee.
Siobhán has embraced opportunities in the hospitality industry during her studies in Dublin and then her travels in Australia. Siobhán is from Baile na nGall in Corca Dhuibhne, and is a native Irish speaker. She settled in Tralee to help run the family business in 2005.
Leading her team as a top local Hotel in Tralee, she works with community organisations and sporting clubs to assist in sponsorship and events. She also leads the hotel in creating a sustainable future for staff, guests and the local community by adopting policies to protect our landscapes and environment.
Martha Farrell, Secretary
Martha Farrell is a Marketing lecturer at the School of Business, Humanities and Computing and is Chair of the MTU Green Campus committee at Munster Technological University. She has worked with Tralee Chamber Alliance since her involvement with the Heritage Council Collaborative Town Centre Health Check in Tralee in 2016; as a member of the Steering Committee (2016-22) and as board member and company secretary (since 2022).
She is a founding member and a director of Maharees Conservation Association CLG – an award-winning voluntary community group and registered charity which has become an exemplar in community-led climate adaptation and community resilience. She is currently secretary of Tralee Tidy Towns, working with local stakeholders to enhance the physical and social environment of Tralee for the benefit of the resident and visiting communities.