John McLaughlin has officially been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Donegal County Council.

The former director of roads and transport with the council, Mr McLaughlin has been acting CEO since July last when he took over from former chief executive Seamus Neely.

Mr McLaughlin grew up in Redcastle and was educated at Carndonagh Community School before taking up studies in the then Regional Technical College in Letterkenny.

He graduated with a degree in civil engineering from University College Galway in 1986. Having spent a brief time working for University College Galway and Westmeath County Council, a new opportunity presented itself on the horizon in America. Mr McLaughlin took up an appointment in California, spending 13 years there working in engineering and construction.

He joined Donegal County Council 22 years ago in 1999, working in the National Roads Office in Donegal Town at executive engineer and senior executive engineer level.

In 2001, he took up the position of director of roads and transport and held that position until last  year.

Additionally, Mr McLaughlin served as Buncrana town manager for a number of years until it was merged with the County Council in 2014.