Noel Heffernan - Chairperson
Noel is the founder of EaPI, based in Cahir, Co. Tipperary. He works with clients giving management support, training and independent auditing. The focus is on reducing resource and other costs across all aspects of running a business to reduce negative impacts on the environment and improve efficiencies. His qualifications include a B Sc (Dairy and Food). He has worked across various sectors, principally dairy and meat. Noel has experience in production management, food safety and quality, R&D, environmental improvement, H&S, training and LEAN. He has completed environmental improvement, energy saving, plant upgrade and H&S projects.
Sean O' Farrell - Treasurer
Sean owns an organic farm, Cloncannon Biofarm near Toomevara, Co. Tipperary. He manages a suckler cow herd, raises organic chickens and sells organic vegetables. He uses his MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation from TCD to deliver education programmes to Primary and Post Primary school students. Farm and nature tours are provided for overseas visitors and eco tourists. Sean was a finalist in the Farming for Nature Awards 2018.He is an enviornmental representative on the Local Community Development Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the Tipperary Public Participation Network.
Kate Walsh - Coordination & Administration
Kate is an experienced project, event and social media manager. She has been involved with Tipperary Green Business Network since its early beginnings, as coordinator and in assisting with administration. She has overseen the network’s social media strategy and is responsible for the day to day administration of the network. She is employed on a part-time basis on behalf of Tipperary Green Business Network by the Local Enterprise Office, Tipperary. Her background is in Irish art history and she holds a BA and M.Phil as well as Train the Trainer certification.
Patti O'Neill - Steering Group Member
Patti O’Neill MRIAI has been running her own practice O’Neill
Architecture in the Nenagh, Co. Tipperary area since 2009. A great deal
of her experience comes from renovating two stone cottages for herself.
Her home the thatched cottage was recognised as a labour of love on the
first season of RTE’s ‘Home of the Year’. Having studied Architecture in
Germany adds to her great knowledge of natural building materials
available for the construction process resulting in healthy homes. Her
environmental concerns also get to be heard in her role as a member of
the County Tipperary SPC.
Derry O'Donnell - Steering Group Member
Derry has long been involved in volunteering and working with various community and voluntary organisations both nationally and locally. He was the project manager for the successful Zero Waste Cashel pilot project and is a current Secretariat member of Tipperary PPN. Derry currently serves as chairperson of Borrisoleigh Community Development Association and is a member of the local festival committee.
Shane Curran - Steering Group Member
Shane Curran - Senior Consultant/Lead Auditor Shane is a specialist in management systems and International Standards, an expert in auditing and an experienced lecturer and trainer. Shane has a wealth of experience in implementing and improving organisation’s Management Systems based on standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 17025, ISO 27001 etc. Shane has been working as a consultant for over 20 years, he has been guiding and assisting a great variety of interesting organisations across lots of different sectors through his work in both consultancy and also as a Lead Auditor. He is an expert Lead Auditor across multiple disciplines. Shane is the founder and Managing Director of SureLeaf Systems. He works as an active Consultant, Lead Auditor and Trainer across various disciplines and sectors and is an expert member of the Irish Quality Management Standards Committee (QMSC) involved in the ongoing development of ISO 9001 and various related international standards. He has travelled extensively, leading audits, providing consultancy, presenting workshops and facilitating training programmes throughout Europe and the USA on Quality standards, Environmental and OH&S Legislation and related topics. Shane is a Science graduate from University of Galway and holds a BSc in Botany and in Biochemistry and an MSc. in Process Validation & Regulatory Affairs.
Shane is a part-time University Lecturer in Quality Management and in Auditing & Risk Management at Masters level in TUS Midwest.
Pauline McDonagh - Adviser to Steering Group
Pauline McDonogh is the Circular Economy lead for the Southern Region Waste Planning Office. She is an Environmental Scientist with over 25 years’ experience in environmental auditing and waste management and has worked in both the UK as well as Ireland. Pauline’s current role is to develop, co-ordinate and deliver the circular economy activities of the Regional Waste Management Plan.
