Dr Craig Barrett has been appointed chairman of ITLG

Today the ITLG (Irish Technology Leadership Group), a group that aims to bring the experience and expertise of Silicon Valley to Ireland in order to create jobs and bring success to the island of Ireland, announced that the former Intel chief executive and former chairman Dr Craig Barrett has been appointed chairman of ITLG. As a non-profit independent organisation ITLG is able (or claims that it is able) to assist Irish technology fledglings to become global players. The appointment is indeed a significant because one of the espoused ITLG aims is to provide experienced support, access to financing and active market development thereby reducing risk and increasing the chances of success. And we all know how important exporting our way out of the mire is to us all. 


Importantly this kind of initiative is significant as it tries to overcome the obvious shortcomings of EI and its legendary bureaucracy. As Irish companies try to sell abroad it becomes more and more important to have access to experienced connected operators. ILTG will in time provide invaluable opportunities and advice to Irish companies to expand and develop in the United States. So much so that the Irish Government is providing financial support to the organisation. I wonder how EI are feeling about this? 

Either way the success or otherwise of Ireland depends on our ability to invest in education and research and to promote innovation – thereby winning export income. The ITLG's CEO, John Hartnett, said "When 160 business leaders from the Irish economic Diaspora met at a summit in Ireland in September, Craig Barrett presented a candid analysis and a compelling call to action for investment in Irish innovation. Today, he underscores that with a phenomenal personal commitment to ITLG's mission to forge even deeper links between Silicon Valley and Irish technology in support of the next generation of Irish innovators.”

Here, here. 

From Craig Barrets bio on Intel.com: Craig R. Barrett was Chairman of the Board of Intel Corporation from May, 2005-May, 2009. He became Intel’s fourth President in May of 1997 and Chief Executive Officer in 1998. He was elected to Intel’s Board of Directors in 1992 and served as Chief Operating Officer from 1993 to 1997. Barrett began his tenure at Intel as a Technology Development manager in 1974. Prior to joining Intel, Dr. Barrett was an Associate Professor at Stanford University in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

Members of ITLG include John Hartnett, chief executive of G24i, Inc. John Gilmore, CEO of Sling Media, Conrad Burke, president and chief executive of Innovalight, Rory McInerney, vice president, Intel and Barry O’Sullivan, senior vice president at Cisco.