Bob Devlin takes over American Irish Historical Society Chairmanship

“We want to bring our culture and our heritage to life for future generations of Irish and this generation also,” said Devlin. “We want to become the center for Irish culture in the United States.”

Devlin brings the business background which is so necessary to build the society back up. He joined American General in 1977 and served in a broad range of senior management positions in operating subsidiaries and the parent company.

During Devlin's tenure as CEO, American General, the third largest insurance company in the U.S., saw its assets grow from $43 billion to more than $125 billion, and its market capitalization swell from $6.5 billion to $24 billion.

The company was acquired by the American International Group Inc. and Devlin left upon consummation of the merger. Currently he runs Curragh Capital Partners, a private equity firm.

In an interview at the company’s Fifth Avenue headquarters, Devlin stressed that much needed to be done to complete the restoration of America’s great Irish building. It is clear it has become a labor of love.

A leading philanthropist, Devlin has donated large sums to Boston College and other educational institutions.  

Devlin’s own Irish roots are in County Tyrone, and he is a very frequent visitor to Ireland. His son Matt attended University College Galway for a time which sparked the Devlin family interest in Ireland.

His other son Michael is a co-founder of Curragh Capital and a Boston College graduate. Devlin and his wife Katharine are soon planning another trip to Ireland.

Devlin represents all that is best in the Irish American community, a person who no matter how successful has never forgotten his roots or the desire to give back. The new AIHS is a monument to that commitment.

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Nster.com