Matthew Thomas was appointed to the position of CEO early this summer, and took up his position at the end of June. He was responsible for the 4.2 billion dollar redevelopment of New York's LaGuardia Airport, which handled just under 30 million passengers last year.
Now, he's in charge of Shannon Airport and the wider Shannon Group.
He's now working towards developing a multi-pronged strategy which sees the Shannon Group look to drive passenger numbers into the Airport, employment in the Shannon Free Zone and its other properties and visitors to its various tourist attractions.
At a Shannon Chamber luncheon in Dromoland Castle yesterday, he also spoke passionately about delivering these improvements for the good of the midWest region, and revealed that talks are ongoing with Ethiopian Airlines which could see them operate a cargo flight through Shannon in the near future.
Before that, he spoke to the assembled media on a variety of talks, firstly Shannon Airport's cost base and how he views employment numbers there.
The ICSA has expressed total shock at the proposal by the Environmental Pillar to change the tax treatment of green (agriculture) diesel which means that the cost of a litre of agricultural diesel could double.
It is accepted globally that agricultural diesel should be heavily discounted because agricultural machinery uses large quantities of diesel to harvest silage and cereals, as well as cultivating land. This is the reality of food production and it represents a method of supplying food at the lowest cost in the most efficient manner.
Gavin spoke to Eddie Punch, Cratloe based General Secretary of the ICSA.
In one week's time, staff at one Shannon company are due to embark on industrial action.
The workers are employees of Element Six, formerly known as De Biers. A 24-hour work stoppage is planned, and management have been served notice of the strike.
SIPTU say the workers are frustrated that the company has not accepted a Labour Court recommendation in relation to changing work practices, and that the cast majority of those balloted for strike were in favour.
Ray Mitchell from SIPTU spoke to Gavin about the issue.
Liam Boland is a young man, who lives with his wife Evelyn and son Finn on the Gold Coast. Liam had a serious accident and is currently on a long journey to try and recover. Liam has both brain and spinal injury and has a long journey ahead of him.
There is a White Collar Fight Night on Friday 30th September at the West County Hotel.
Liam's sister, Pauline Boland spoke about how Liam is getting on and about the fundraising event on 30th September.
The Right2Water group is predicting that a protest about water charges in Dublin on Saturday will attract tens of thousands of people.
It comes as the issue returns to the political agenda, with Fianna Fáil purportedly supporting a plan to scrap the charges altogether.
Minister Simon Coveney says Fianna Fáil's plan to scrap charges entirely is just a "political position".
Gavin was joined on the line by water charges opponent Niamh O'Brien.
Renowned Irish designer Simone Walsh will be in Ennis Co. Clare on 14th September to launch Kilkenny Shop’s new 1,800 square foot store on High Street.
This is Kilkenny Group’s 14th store and they now employ more than 280 people nationally, with 7 new people recently employed in Ennis.
All are welcome to attend the event, which takes place from 6-8pm. You will also meet the makers of Avokado & Co, who design fun Irish personalised signs. There will be refreshments, discounts, signings and prizes, including a large Simone Walsh print of Ennis, on the evening.
Emer Fannin, Manager of the shop was in studio to talk about the opening and Gavin was joined on the line by designer Simone Walsh.
The chairman of Clare GAA has confirmed both senior managers will make their intentions for the coming year known to him by the end of this week.
Joe Cooney said he has been in contact with Davy Fitzgerald and Colm Collins and is now awaiting their response.
Last nights September meeting of Clare GAA also heard calls for all 2016 management teams to compile reports on their season which will be presented to a special meeting of the board in two weeks time.
Derrick Lynch from Clare FM Sport spoke to Gavin about it.
The Vet John Underhill was in studio for his regular pet slot.
Many of us have encountered turbulence while on a plane. It's a scary experience, and as we saw recently, it can also be a painful one.
Last month, a United Airlines flight diverted to Shannon Airport after it experienced severe turbulence over the Atlantic and around a dozen people were treated in hospital for minor injuries.
Dr Paul Williams from the Department of Meteorology in the University of Reading joined Gavin to explain what turbulence is and how it may get worse.
Simon Ratcliffe and Martina McCarthy are co-ordinators of two Tourism Courses that are hoping to start the end of September. They deliver QQI level 4 major awards in Tourism and Hospitality in Kilrush and Ennistymon as part of their Pathway to Employment outreach community project.
The idea is to help people get practical qualifications, and support them in finding work in the Tourism and Hospitality sector. They are hoping to recruit 14 learner for each programme, and are keen to spread the word.
Many of their learners have found employment or further training.
Both Simon and Martina were in studio to tell Gavin about the courses.
CARED (Caring About Recovery from Eating Disorders) was founded by two families from Northern Ireland, both of which had a daughter who suffered seriously from an eating disorder.
Due to the lack of adequate services or facilities in Northern Ireland, both of these families had to fight to have their daughters treated by specialist units in London.
Debbie Howard represents the charity from a unique position. Having once suffered from an eating disorder, but now recovered and working as a psychotherapist.
Debbie developed anorexia at 12 years old, and suffered with it until her early twenties. It was the most difficult and awful time of her life. Eating disorders have the highest death rate of all the psychiatric illnesses, and affect 1 in 10 people in the UK. Sadly it is still an illness shrouded in shame, and grossly misunderstood.
Debbie will be presenting an Eating Disorder Course.
Gavin spoke to Debbie and to Paula, a mother who told her story about her daughter's struggle with an eating disorder.
