By Emma James

POSITION: Chairman/Chief executive officer

COMPANY: The Celtic Group

WHAT THEY DO: Run several companies, including maritime transportation and logistics business Celtic Marine Corporation and movie studio facility Celtic Media Centre

REVENUE: $140,246,395 in 2008

NEXT GOAL: To achieve 100% occupancy on the Celtic Media Centre campus

Michael O’Connor can describe his business in two words: maritime and movies.

When O’Connor became chief executive officer of The Celtic Group upon the death of his father Brendan in January, he decided to narrow the scope of the business to Celtic Marine Corporation and the Celtic Media Centre, two industries that are completely different in scope and profile.

O’Connor, formerly president and chief operating officer of Celtic Marine Corporation, had no problem transitioning into the maritime aspect. But the movies were a whole different business, literally.

“The maritime side is 365 days a year and very low-key,” he says. “The movie industry is very public. People tend to flock to it.”

Without specifying the projects, O’Connor says interest in Celtic Media Centre has increased so much in the past month, he no longer has concerns about fully occupying the campus, which is located just south of Interstate 12 and just west of Airline Highway.

“The media side of our business has so much potential and so much growth,” O’Connor says. “Literally, California, New York and Louisiana [are] as far as it goes with productions being shot [and] ranked. I feel that we have the opportunity to maybe become No. 2 in the nation.”

O’Connor says his legacy is putting faith and family first and counting on the many other companies and individuals that make each day’s business possible.

“We commit 30% to 40% of our lives to working,” O’Connor says. “I can wake up in the morning and say I love what I do with a smile.”

Patrick Mulhearn

Baton Rouge, LA, September 1, 2009 – The Celtic Group and Raleigh Studios have named Patrick Mulhearn as the new Director of Studio Operations. Mulhearn is stepping down from his current position as Assistant Director of Film and Television for the state.

“For the past few years, Patrick has been a central point of contact for hundreds of productions looking to film in Louisiana,” said Michael O’Connor, Chairman and CEO of The Celtic Group. “As an added benefit of basing out of Celtic, film and television projects can save time and money by drawing upon Patrick’s unique tax incentive knowledge, problem solving ability, and understanding of the motion picture industry throughout Louisiana and globally.”

“Patrick brings with him a unique set of disciplines that both the studio and our clients will benefit from,” Michael Moore, President of Raleigh Entertainment said noting Patrick’s experience and relationships. “We are fortunate to have Patrick on board. He will play an integral role in the further development of the studio’s business.”

Raleigh Studios is the largest operator of independent studios in the country, with locations in Hollywood, Manhattan Beach (the new home of Marvel Studios), Playa Vista, Baton Rouge and Budapest. Raleigh’s parent company also owns the premier supplier of lighting and grip gear, Hollywood Rentals, with locations in Los Angeles, Charlotte, Orlando and Baton Rouge. The Studio’s production services arm, Raleigh Film, line produces TV, feature and commercial projects in Budapest and Baton Rouge, providing crew, location services and budgeting services.

The 23-acre Celtic Media Centre is a full-service film and television studio located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Managed by Raleigh Studios, the Celtic studio lot can meet the needs of any production: from the largest studio features to the smallest commercial shoots. Celtic features five purpose-built climate-controlled stages totaling over 98,000 square feet, including a 28,000 square foot stage with a clearance height of over 70 feet. The recent purchase and renovation of the Cypress Building gives the Celtic lot over 69,000 square feet of support space, including production and post-production offices, state-of-the-art screening room, ADR studio and greenscreen stage.

Celtic and Raleigh recently broke ground on Stage 4, a 30,800 square foot sound stage and Building 7, a 23,000 square foot mill shop. Both are expected to be completed by July 2010. With the addition of Stage 4 and Building 7, the Celtic Media Centre will have over 220,000 square feet under roof on the campus.

In 2006, Mulhearn joined the Louisiana Office of Entertainment Industry Development, a division of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. Since that time he has assisted in more than $1 Billion total in film and/or post productions in Louisiana. In 2008, Mulhearn was credited for his role in helping to relocate Horizon Entertainment from Atlanta to New Orleans. Previously, Mulhearn was an award-winning writer, editor and producer at WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge and WWL-TV in New Orleans.

“It’s an honor to be offered command of the biggest and best ship in Louisiana’s motion picture fleet,” said Mulhearn. “Thanks to the state’s generous tax incentives and the commitment of companies like Celtic and Raleigh Studios, the film and television industry in Louisiana is here to stay. I’m looking forward to helping Baton Rouge reach its potential as a world-renowned production center and I’ll continue to work closely with those who are dedicated to the industry’s development and success throughout the state.”