Longford County Council CEO a 'great leader' who overcame 'significant challenges'
Outgoing CEO Paddy Mahon was lauded for fostering collaboration with the elected members and employees, influencing national policy and for supporting rural development.
Outgoing Chief Executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon was praised as being a 'great leader' with a warm, friendly touch as his decade-long term was celebrated last week.
A flurry of tributes were paid to the Galway native, who was appointed by Longford County Council on July 10, 2016, following a recommendation by the Public Appointments Service that he should be appointed Chief Executive Officer.
Gerard Dennigan, the Acting Meetings Administrator at Longford County Council, welcomed the large gathering, including Mr Mahon's wife Marie, daughter Ciara, to Áras an Chontae for the special event last Thursday.
Mr Dennigan also welcomed past and present county councillors, newly appointed Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry Hagan, local authority management, staff and Longford MEP Ciarán Mullooly and local Oireachtas members Fine Gael TD, Micheál Carrigy, Senator Joe Flaherty and Senator Paraic Brady.
Mr Dennigan said he had the privilege of working with Mr Mahon over the last number of years and they were coming together to celebrate his achievements' during his ten years.
Mr Dennigan said when Mr Mahon was appointed there were 340 employees on the books at Longford County Council and presently that number has been expanded to 427.
"The Budget at the time was approximately €38 million, today it stands at €70 million.
"I suppose this goes to show how Paddy has championed for Longford County Council at a national level to ensure the resources were available to deliver the services required.”
Cathoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Gerry Hagan, led the tributes as he commended the Mr Mahon for his dedication, leadership and work-ethic.
"A great leader inspires and empowers their team combining strong moral courage with emotional intelligence.
"Paddy has shown us all that in spades over the years.
"Other characteristics of a good leader are trustfulness and trustworthiness, empathy, personal touch and yet all of that is combined in the person who is Paddy Mahon."
Cllr Hagan said when he began his work as a local representative Mr Mahon called him into his office for two meetings where he explained in layman's language the workings of Longford County Council.
"It is quite daunting when you are first elected here as all of councillor colleagues will attest to that I'm sure.
"But that is the type of person Paddy is, his door was always open, whether you were a general operative, a senior engineer, a director of service or an elected representative, Paddy treats everyone the same and that is a wonderful quality."
Cllr Hagan described how the former chairman of Castlebar Mitchels has an avid interest in the GAA and he has served on the ‘high powered’ national infrastructure committee at Croke Park and Ard Comhairle members hold him in the highest regard.
Director of Services, Barbara Heslin paid a glowing tribute to Mr Mahon who she said brought extensive experience from the public and private sectors and who had 'quietly and patiently influenced change' as Chief Executive.
"He fostered collaboration with the elected members and employees, he influenced national policy and he supported rural development,” she said.
"He guided the council through significant challenges while building strong community and employee relationships leaving a lasting legacy of progress, innovation and a solid foundation for the future.
"His understanding of the challenges facing small, rural counties such as Longford ensured that we were never forgotten."
Director of Services Samantha Healy, who worked with Mr Mahon for almost five years, referred to Mr Mahon’s 'incredible ability' to remember names.
"He knows who is who and he keeps track of what is happening in peoples' lives.
"It might seem like a small thing but I think it speaks volumes about the kind of person and leader that Paddy is.
"It demonstrates his genuine interest in people, their lives and their stories."
Director of Finance John McKeon lauded Mr Mahon's influence 'locally, regionally and nationally' on those, from ‘the homeless person on the street’ to local Oireachtas members and some of the biggest industries as being immense.
"He operates calmly and quietly but very effectively and with a quiet word here and a nudge in the right direction there and that sort of approach has proven to be very beneficial to Longford over the last decade and it can't be underestimated."
Mr McKeon also praised Mr Mahon supportive, kind and decent nature as he recalled how he had contacted him regularly while he received treatment abroad for an illness.
Longford MEP Ciarán Mullooly spoke to the Leader and thanked Paddy Mahon for his courteous and affable manner in dealing with him as an MEP and formerly as a council employee for a short period.
The Lanesboro native described the departing CEO’s management style as being quiet but effective.
"Paddy Mahon took over as Chief Executive of Longford county council at a critical time.
"The Center Parcs holiday village for Ballymahon had just been announced but the 24 month period that followed was absolutely critical in terms of preparing and delivering on the infrastructural development to go with it and the subsequent bedding in of a project that has created hundreds of part time and full time jobs in the county.
"These jobs are very important - especially as they come at a time when hundreds of seasonal and student work positions at Bórd na Móna have been lost in this part of south Longford.
"So, Paddy’s contribution to making sure the ground was properly laid for the Center Parcs project was crucial and his personal supervision of the situation was also crucial.”
During his speech, Mr Mahon thanked his Longford County Council his County and City Management Association colleagues for the work they did and the support they have shown him.
The outgoing Chief Executive also warmly welcomed Cllr Mick Cahill, who is recovering after a health issue, and he said he was delighted to see him looking so well.
"We're all praying for you and it's great seeing you make that fantastic recovery,” he added