The 100 Most Influential Irish Americans in Business: R. Gannon – M. Gibbons

Robert P. Gannon

President, Chairman and CEO

The Montana Power Company

Revenue: $1.2 billion

Employees: 2,906

Before joining Montana Power in 1974 as an attorney, Bob Gannon served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Montana for two years and as an assistant U.S. attorney for another two and a half years.

A native of Butte, Montana, Gannon is chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of The Montana Power Company. He earned a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from the University of Montana Law School. Gannon also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.

A third-generation Irish American, with roots on his father’s side in Counties Carlow, Kildare and Mayo, Gannon spends his free time playing handball, golf and skiing. During the summer, he and his family spend time at their summer home on Flathead Lake, Montana. He is married with two children.

Michael J. Gibbons

Executive Vice President, General Manager,

Fashion Group

The Estée Lander Companies

Revenue: $4 billion

Employees: 15,000

Since he joined Estée Lauder in 1967, Michael Gibbons has served as marketing director for Estée Lauder, vice president of Clinique and general manager of Aramis before assuming his current duties as executive vice president, general manager of the Fashion Group of Estée Lauder Companies. Estée Lauder has contract services and retail partners in Ireland.

The son of immigrants, Michael Gibbons was raised in the Bronx. His father is from County Mayo and his mother is from Nova Scotia. Gibbons graduated from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York and served in the U.S. Navy.

His parents’ immigrant experience is obviously close to Gibbons’ heart. For many years he volunteered as president and chairman of the International Center in New York, a private, not-for-profit center that welcomes new immigrants and refugees and assists them in learning English and adapting to American culture. The organization helps people from over 90 countries, and hundreds of foreign newcomers seek assistance at the Center each week.

Gibbons’ pride in his Irish heritage is apparent in his involvement in several Irish American organizations. He is a member of the Ireland-U.S. Council for Commerce and Industry and serves as director for both The American Ireland Fund and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Foundation. He is also a member of the Knights of St. Patrick and the Mayo Society.

Gibbons and his wife Cynthia reside in New York City and Carmel, New York. They have four children. One of Gibbons’ recent honors was his induction into the Croquet Hall of Fame.♦