James E. Rooney receives Spirit of Diaspora Award
The head of one of Massachusetts’ leading business associations received this year’s prestigious Spirit of the Diaspora Award at the premier business and investment conference for the Irish diaspora.
President and chief executive officer of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, James E. Rooney, was presented with the accolade at the Belfast International Homecoming which took place between 28 and 30 November in the city.
Jim became the fifth recipient of the award and joined a roll call of distinguished bridge builders and global trailblazers which includes Mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, Moët Hennessy USA CEO Jim Clerkin, Concentrix president Chris Caldwell and founder of Datasnap.io, Seamus McAteer.
Jim was presented with his award at a gala banquet to conclude the three-day event which brought together Irish and Scots Irish diaspora from across the globe.
As to this year’s Spirit of the Diaspora award recipient, Jim is a legendary figure in the Massachusetts business world under whose guidance the Boston Chamber of Commerce has become the leading voice of the Boston business community on public policy issues.
A former Chief of Staff to Mayor Menino of Boston, Jim was executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Centre Authority and has previously been recognised as one of Boston’s Most Powerful People by Boston Magazine and as a Power 50 Game Changer by the Boston Business Journal.
Speaking of the Homecoming event, Jim said:
From my view at the Chamber, I see great business relationships and opportunities between Boston and Belfast continuing to thrive thanks to our long-standing partnerships and new connections being made through programmes like the Belfast International Homecoming.
