BIBA Board of Directors

Pat is currently the Vice President of Public Affairs at Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications. Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications is a nationally recognized public and government relations firm with more than a decade of experience providing exceptional client service to organizations that operate at the intersection of business, politics and media. With offices in Boston and Washington, D.C., the firm offers a comprehensive range of services, including ballot initiative management, corporate communications counsel, community relations, crisis and reputation management, government relations, grassroots organizing, investor relations, media and presentation training, litigation support, lobbying, and public sector business development.

Prior to working at Rasky Baerlein, Pat received the American Council of Young Political Leader Fellowship, and formerly worked as the Director of Business Development at the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment, developing strong ties with Israel, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Currently, he is a member of various organizations including Boston World Partnerships, New England Israeli Business Council and more.

Sean is Principal of the Moynihan Group, focused on building and executing strategies for companies and organizations in need of representation before the legislative and executive branches of government and/or seeking to do business with the government. His direction is in four areas: legislative counsel, regulatory advocacy, procurement, and business development. Furthermore, he offers the opportunity for Irish companies and organizations to facilitate much needed relationships in Massachusetts within the business, government, and academic arenas.

Prior to his work in the Moynihan Group Sean was the Counsel to the Massachusetts House Ways and Means, Counsel to the Massachusetts House Majority Leader, and the Legislative Director for the Massachusetts House of Representatives. 

Sean specializes in Government relations, public policy, procurement, business development, relationship facilitation, fundraising. He earned his Bachelor's in Business and Humanities from Providence College, and his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School.

Ryan is currently the Managing Director for McDermott & Thomas Associates, where the company focuses on working with corporations in the mid to small market range to develop and maintain a strong employee benefits package that meets their needs and budget. Additionally, they can bring value specifically to technology and life science companies when they are raising capital to grow their business with informal introductions to potential investors.

In staying true to the roots of McDermott & Thomas, they also provide Insurance and Investment planning to Individuals and closely held businesses.

Ryan is a member of several organizations including The Algonquin Club, NAIFA, Boston World Partnerships, and others.

Doreen Blades is the Founder and President of US Eco Products, Corporation a wholesale distribution company specializing in Green products and services. Headquartered in Massachusetts, US Eco Products sells to national and local retailers and has secured government contracts. She strives to be the go to for quality green products in the business to business world.

Prior to US Eco products, Corporation, Doreen has held a variety of Sales and Sales management positions for large and small companies. Doreen has a BS from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst She is also a member of the Irish Network Boston, and consults for the Center for Women Enterprises helping Women (and Men) launch and grow their business.

Jim is currently a portfolio manager at EnerNOC where he provides consulting and advisory services to large consumers of energy. Jim is a subject matter expert on deregulated power and gas markets and utility tariffs. EnerNOC, headquartered in Boston, is a smart grid leader with operations throughout North America, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand. Jim thrives helping EnerNOC's customers live true to the EnerNOC motto, which is to "Get More From Energy."

Prior to EnerNOC, Jim was a Geologist at Tetra Tech EM, Inc., a major North American civil and environmental engineering firm. Jim has a BS in Geophysics from Boston College, an MBA from the Johnson School at Cornell University, and holds both U.S. and Irish citizenship. Jim lives in Somerville with his wife Megan, and his daughter Maryanne.

Charles is currently self employed as a Health Care Consultant, a member of the Chairman's Council at the Irish American Partnership, and VP of Development at the New England Employee Benefits Council. Prior to this Charles was a Co-Founder and President of HealthCare VALUE Management, New England's largest PPO Network for Self-Funded Employers and Unions up until 2003. 

Charles received his Bachelor's in Classics from Brown University, and a Master's in Sociology from Cornell University. 

AJ Gerritson is a Founding Partner at 451 Marketing, an award-winning, communications agency that specializes in public relations, social media marketing and search marketing. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and with an office in Chicago, Illinois, 451 Marketing works with brands to build awareness, engage customers, create fan loyalty and drive business through a cutting-edge integrated communications approach. Core competencies include: search marketing (SEO and PPC), social media marketing, traditional and online public relations, search leveraged public relations, and Web 2.0 integrated website design and development.

Prior to co-founding 451 Marketing, AJ was a Vice President at Zeeo Interactive, Inc., an award-winning interactive agency. Before Zeeo, AJ was the VP of Interactive Marketing for AsiaFoods.com, where he helped build the online Asian food company from the ground up and positioned it for a successful acquisition.

Paul is a practicing attorney in Massachusetts, formerly of Brown Rudnick, an international law firm with offices in the United States and Europe. The firm handles complex deals, sophisticated financial transactions, and challenging litigation. The 200 attorneys represent clients from around the world, assisting with business-focused solutions that address today's ever-changing, ever-demanding competitive marketplace. Brown Rudnick's clients are public and private corporations, multinational Fortune 100 businesses and start-up enterprises. They also represent investors, as well as official and ad hoc creditors committees of today's largest chapter 11 and out-of-court cases. This client base includes companies and institutions across the US and throughout the world, representing leaders and pacesetters in the global marketplace.

Paul specializes in Corporate finance, venture finance, distressed debt/corporate restructuring, investment fund formation.

Paul studied Government at Harvard University and received his Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law.

Mr. Novaria is an attorney in our Business and Finance Department. His practice encompasses all aspects of real estate development, including acquisitions, financing and leasing. He represents local and national retail companies, owners, developers and general contractors.

Representing an array of foreign-based clients who have chosen Massachusetts as their United States base of operations, Mr. Novaria counsels directors and officers regarding the structure and terms of incorporation, tax and real estate in order to develop a strong strategy for success in the United States.

Mr. Novaria is a Board Member of the Boston Irish Business Association, an organization committed to fostering economic and professional growth among its progressive network of business and political leaders, while retaining and strengthening their connection to Ireland. He also serves as a Connector in the Boston World Partnerships, a non-profit organization created by Mayor Thomas M. Menino to raise global awareness of Boston as one of the world's foremost centers of intellectual capital and innovation, offering competitive advantages to growth-minded businesses.

Paul is currently a First Vice President / Investment Officer at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. His focus is on Wealth Planning Strategies for Individuals, Family Groups, Entrepreneurs and Corporations. He takes pride in providing clients with transparent access to non-proprietary investment resources through understanding their needs, hopes and dreams.

He is also an Accredited Asset Management Specialist^SM and has a broad knowledge of asset management aiding in effecting identifying, analyzing, and recommending appropriate strategies for client's needs. Prior to his work with Wells Fargo Advisors, Paul was a Vice President - Investments at A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc.

Paul currently lives in Boston with his wife Kirsten and two spirited daughters. Paul also serves on the Board of Trustees at the Boston Latin School Association.