Locals appointed to the governing body of TUS

A number of Athlone figures have been appointed to the Governing Body of the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), bringing extensive senior-level experience from across the public and private sectors.

Among the five new external members are Athlone native Andrea Feeney, Chief Executive Officer of the State Examinations Commission while local resident Sean Feeney, Director of Site Transformation at Novo Nordisk Production Ireland Ltd, has also been appointed to the board.

The other new members are John Fitzgibbon, Plant Manager at Johnson & Johnson MedTech Vision; Bernard Gloster, former Chief Executive Officer of the Health Service Executive; and AI governance specialist Veronica Rahneberg.

Welcoming the appointments, Chair of the TUS Governing Body, Josephine Feehily, said: “TUS has developed at considerable pace since its establishment in 2021 and, as we look towards the university’s next phase of development, strong governance and access to a broad range of external experience and expertise will continue to be extremely important.

“Andrea, Sean, John, Bernard and Veronica bring an exceptional breadth of knowledge from across education, public service, healthcare, industry and technology. Each has operated at a very senior level within their respective sectors and I am delighted to welcome them to the Governing Body.

“I would also like to acknowledge the important contribution of the external members whose terms in office have ended. They gave generously of their time and expertise in the interest of TUS.”

Andrea Feeney is Chief Executive Officer of the State Examinations Commission since 2020. Her 20 years of educational sector experience spans strategic leadership and organisational change, financial management, public procurement, governance, risk management and regulatory compliance. Transformational initiatives include reform of the scheme of reasonable accommodations for students with special educational needs (RACE Scheme); the adoption of online marking at the SEC, and the examination system's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sean Feeney is a senior leader with more than 25 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector. He has held leadership roles across Elan Corporation, Alkermes Pharma and Novo Nordisk Production Ireland Ltd and has served for more than a decade on the Athlone Site Senior Leadership Team, where he is currently Director of Site Transformation. His expertise includes organisational development, strategy, governance and stakeholder engagement.

John Fitzgibbon is Plant Manager at Johnson & Johnson MedTech Vision in Limerick and is responsible for the strategic direction of the site, driving operational excellence, digital transformation, and sustained business performance. With over 30 years of experience in industry, he has championed and sponsored nationally recognised Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes. His expertise also includes legal and regulatory matters and delivering organisational change.

Bernard Gloster retired from the Health Service Executive in March 2026 after a 38-year career that culminated in three years as Chief Executive Officer of the HSE. Originally a social care worker, he worked across frontline and senior management roles before serving as Chief Officer of HSE Mid West. In 2019, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, before becoming HSE CEO in 2023.

Veronica Rahneberg is a technology executive with 30 years’ senior leadership experience across the technology, consulting and professional services sectors. She spent 23 years with Fujitsu, latterly as Sales and Marketing Director for Fujitsu Ireland, before becoming a Partner at EY Ireland. Veronica is Founder and CEO of Innovera, an AI governance advisory, and advises senior executives on commercial growth, AI transformation and governance.

TUS President Professor Vincent Cunnane said the appointments would further strengthen the university as it enters an important period in its development.

“TUS is about to reach its fifth anniversary, and we are entering a crucial phase in our development, with our second Strategic Plan in the offing, an ambitious Capital Development Plan in place and substantial societal and sectoral developments and challenges taking shape. At its most fundamental, membership of the TUS Governing Body is about helping to ensure that the university continues to successfully pursue its vision of being a catalyst for sustainable change that transforms lives through education and research in our region and the world. Andrea, Sean, John, Bernard and Veronica each bring qualities and experience that will benefit TUS as we look to this future”.

The TUS Governing Body membership is as follows: Josephine Feehily, Chair; Prof. Vincent Cunnane, President; Amanda Keyes, TUS Students' Union; Andrea Feeney, Chief Executive Officer of the State Examinations Commission; Bernard Gloster, Non-Executive Director; Colette Ryan, Senior Director of Commercial Supply Chain, Alkermes; Darina Kneafsey, Experienced Non-Executive Director; Emma Hogan, TUS Students' Union; Geoff Shannon, Staff Representative, TUS; George O'Callaghan, Non-Executive Director; John Fitzgibbon, Plant Manager at Johnson & Johnson MedTech Vision, John Griffin, CEO, Ericsson Ireland; Kevin McLoughlin, Staff Representative, TUS; Marie Cowan, TUS Students' Union; Maureen Falvey, Staff Representative, TUS; Pamela O'Brien, Staff Representative, TUS; Sean Feeney, Director of Site Transformation at Novo Nordisk Production Ireland; Tony Mahon, Staff Representative, TUS; Veronica Rahneberg, Technology Executive