At the October 9th Membership Meeting the following members were announced as candidates for the 2027 Executive Committee. Election will be held on Sunday December 6th from 12-6pm. Please remember to bring your GAC Membership Card (the white scrip/key card) when voting.
BIOS
Kathryn Murphy O’Donnell
Candidate for President
Kathryn is honored to be nominated for the position of Executive Committee President. A graduate of Fairfield University, Kathryn brings nearly 30 years of experience in capital markets banking, offering a robust financial, analytical, and organizational skill set to the committee. An active and proven community leader, she currently serves on the board of the Back Yard Beekeepers Association. Her extensive governance experience also includes tenures on the Patterson Club’s Finance Committee, the St. Thomas Aquinas HSA School Board, and active membership in the Greenfield Hill Garden Club.
Raised as the youngest of seven children, Kathryn holds a lifelong appreciation for her Irish heritage. For years, the Gaelic American Club has provided her family with an excellent resource for passing along this love of Irish culture to her three children—Deaglan, Ronan, and Maeve—through traditional music, dance, literature, and Gaelic sports. Kathryn and her husband, Michael, enjoy spending time on the west coast of Ireland, where they are currently renovating their pre-Famine farmhouse on the Sheep’s Head Peninsula.
Faith Maciver
Candidate for President
I am running for President again because I believe my experience, leadership, financial expertise, dedication, and continued involvement have prepared me to serve our membership again and help guide the Gaelic American Club into the future.
Over the years, I have devoted countless hours to our Club through leadership and volunteer service. I have served on the Executive Committee as President, Vice President and Financial Secretary, as well as on the Audit Committee. These roles have given me a strong understanding of the Club’s operations, finances, and responsibilities, preparing me to make informed decisions that support our long-term success. During my last term as President along with the Executive Committee, we were able to bring our Club’s finances back to solid ground, enabling the last two Executive Committees to carry that forward. We were able to increase Membership involvement at meetings and events as well as introducing Christmas Bonuses for our dedicated paid staff.
Financial responsibility will remain a top priority. My experience as President, Vice President, Financial Secretary, service on the Audit Committee, and professional financial background have equipped me to make sound financial decisions and work collaboratively with the Executive Committee. As President, I will continue to seek opportunities to increase revenue, manage expenses responsibly, protect our assets, and strengthen our financial stability. A strong financial foundation is essential to preserving our traditions, maintaining our facilities, and ensuring a successful future for our Club.
My commitment to the Club is year-round. I regularly attend events, volunteer my time, and support the Club whenever needed. I host our monthly Trivia Night, bringing members together for fun, friendship, and fellowship. For many years, I have also organized the Senior Luncheon and continue coordinating our Annual Holiday Food Drive in support of Operation Hope.
These experiences have given me a deep understanding of our members’ interests, ideas, and priorities. I believe effective leadership means being present, listening, and working together. I will encourage greater volunteerism and member participation by creating opportunities for everyone to share ideas, get involved, and contribute to the continued success of our Club.
As President, I will lead with integrity, open communication, and accountability. I will listen to our members, respect their opinions, and work closely with the Executive Committee to make thoughtful decisions in the best interests of the Club. Every member deserves to feel heard, informed, and included. My goal is to strengthen our organization while preserving the welcoming, active, and family-oriented atmosphere that makes the Gaelic American Club so special.
I currently serve as Treasurer of Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield, where I am proud to work alongside fellow GAC members to preserve and promote our Irish heritage for future generations. This commitment reflects the importance I place on protecting our history, culture, and traditions.
Looking ahead, I want to build on what makes our Club special while welcoming new ideas, activities, and events that engage and encourage members of all ages. Strengthening participation among current members and creating more opportunities for fun and fellowship are essential to our Club’s social and financial future.
I have demonstrated my commitment through years of leadership, financial stewardship, volunteer service, and active involvement. I am ready to bring that experience, dedication, and vision to the presidency, working alongside our members and Executive Committee to strengthen our Club both financially and socially for years to come. I look forward to a second term as President so I can accomplish my remaining goals and finish what I had started.
Thank you for your support, your confidence, and your vote. It would be an honor to serve as your President and continue working together to build a strong future for our Club.
Put your faith back in Faith.
Cosbie Marable III
Candidate for Vice President
Cosbie Marable III is a technology leader with extensive experience building software, improving business systems, and leading development teams. In senior roles at Icon International, JayStar Group, and Market Data Retrieval, he modernized applications, streamlined operations, and translated complex business needs into practical technology solutions. His expertise spans software development, data and cloud platforms, systems architecture, artificial intelligence tools, and team leadership. Across these disciplines, he has remained focused on making technology more reliable, efficient, and useful for the people and organizations it serves.
Known to his friends as Coz, he is a Connecticut native, the father of four children, and the husband of Kathy Niznansky. He currently mentors in Fairfield University’s Ignatian Spirituality Program. Coz is also a former member of Milford’s Irish Heritage Society, where he performed with the Tara Theatre Group in its production of “The Hostage.” He later served as drum major of the IHS Pipe Band, leading the group in Milford’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Fairfield’s Memorial Day Parade.
Coz competed in the GAC’s 2023 Dancing with the Stars fundraiser on behalf of his charity, the Hole in the Wall Gang, and served on the judges’ panel at this year’s event.
Coz has also used artificial intelligence to launch a music career as Blu Shadie, one of his two AI personas. Four of his songs are now available on major streaming and social media platforms.
Tom Harding
Candidate for Vice President
I have previously served on the GAC Executive Committee as Treasurer, Financial Secretary and most recently President. As Treasurer, I was a member of the financial team that improved the accounting and budgeting process that enabled the club to be more financially stable. As Financial Secretary, I was a member of the committee that navigated the club through COVID. We were able to keep the kitchen open and retain and compensate all employees. I installed credit card processing right before the pandemic shutdown. This allowed the club to accept pandemic friendly contactless payments. As President, the Executive Committee was able to replace and fix a leaky roof, repair the water damage to Carolan Room Ceiling, replace a broken HVAC unit and pay off the mortgage.
I have served as a member of the budget committee responsible for the club’s annual budget from 2018 – 2024. I enjoy volunteering at the club when needed and look forward to serving and cleaning up at the senior lunch every month.
I hope to continue serving the club and its members as Vice President 2027
Theresa V. Fumo
Candidate for Treasurer
I am seeking to return as Treasurer of the Gaelic American Club, having previously served one term in this position. I currently serve as Treasurer of my condominium association and bring more than 25 years of professional management experience, including budgeting, financial oversight, contract negotiations, and working with boards of directors. Now retired, I have more time to dedicate to the Club and would welcome the opportunity to contribute my experience, commitment, and attention to detail to help ensure the Club’s continued financial stability and success.
Tom Egan
Candidate for Treasurer
My name is Tom Egan, and I was born and raised in Stamford, CT. All my grandparents immigrated to Stamford from Ireland. I am a graduate of Sacred Heart University with a BS in accounting. I am currently employed with Hoffman Engineering, LLC as a Senior Accountant for the last eleven years. I have been a member of the Stamford Ancient Order of Hibernians since the mid 80’s and a member of the Gaelic
American Club for the past several years. I’ve held the position of treasurer, at the Gaelic American Club in 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024. In addition, I also serve on the Board for St. Patrick’s Gaelic Football & Hurling Club as Treasurer since 2011.
Michael Fenton
Candidate fof Sergeant at Arms
Brief Professional History:
Community Safety Official (Special Police Officer) Town of Fairfield
Retired Senior Proposal Manager with recognized leadership ability, strong work ethic and organization skills. Possess more than 38 years of defense industry (Sikorsky Aircraft) experience in business acquisition and project management. Specifically, well versed in U.S. military, international military, and commercial helicopter proposal, pricing preparation and reviewing performance plans, schedules, controls, and company industrial processes. Significant campaigns include Germany CH-53K Program, Israel FMS CH-53K Price & Availability, Pratt & Whitney F135 Propulsion Program, U.S. Military Multi-Year VII/VIII BLACK HAWK/SEAHAWK Helicopter Program, U.S. Navy MH-60S, CH-53K Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot 5/6, 7/8, and VH-92A Presidential Helicopter Program.
Education:
BA in Political Science – University of New Haven
MBA – Sacred Heart University
Personal Interests/Hobbies:
Enjoy coaching, gardening, reading and gatherings/vacations with friends and family. Also, actively supporting/participating in veteran and first responder causes and activities.
Member of the Gaelic American Club for over 30 years.
Member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AoH) for over 40 years.
Auxiliary member of the Bridgeport Port 5.
Maura O’Malley
Candidate for Sergeant at Arms