# Padraig Drennan

> Padraig Drennan is the Tampa-based president and CEO of Stellar Partners, an airport retail operator. He joined as president and COO in 2017 and succeeded founder Susan Stackhouse in January 2019. His career includes senior roles at World Duty Free and DFASS and management positions at Disney Stores, Gap and Marks and Spencer. At Stellar, his tenure includes the 2019 Pacific Gateway Concessions acquisition and the 2022 announcement of a BuzzFeed store partnership.

- **Role:** President and CEO at Stellar Partners, Inc.
- **Organizations:** Stellar Partners, Inc., International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores, World Duty Free, DFASS Group, Disney Stores, Gap, Marks and Spencer, Arthur Andersen
- **Known for:** Led Stellar as president and CEO during its 51-store Pacific Gateway Concessions acquisition in 2019., Succeeded Stellar’s founder after her 30-year tenure., Elected vice chairman of IAADFS in 2022 and returned to the role in 2023.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Began his career at Arthur Andersen; later held management positions at Disney Stores, Gap and Marks and Spencer.
- **—** — Served as chief financial officer of World Duty Free UK.
- **2012** — Named president of World Duty Free Group North America as the group announced an agreement to acquire HMSHost’s US retail operations.
- **2015** — As World Duty Free North America president, participated in the opening of five retail locations at Miami International Airport.
- **—** — Served as chief operating officer of DFASS Group before joining Stellar.
- **2017** — Joined Stellar Partners as president and chief operating officer; appointment announced October 30.
- **2019** — Succeeded founder Susan Stackhouse as Stellar president and CEO in January.
- **2019** — Stellar completed the acquisition of Pacific Gateway Concessions on May 31, adding 51 stores across 10 airports.
- **2022** — Stellar announced a BuzzFeed airport store collaboration; Drennan was elected IAADFS vice chairman in July.
- **2023** — Returned as IAADFS vice chair for the board term through June 2024.
- **2024** — Listed as Stellar CEO and president in a San Francisco airport lease amendment signed April 25.

## Achievements

- Led Stellar as president and CEO during its 51-store Pacific Gateway Concessions acquisition in 2019.
- Succeeded Stellar’s founder after her 30-year tenure.
- Elected vice chairman of IAADFS in 2022 and returned to the role in 2023.
- Led World Duty Free’s North American business across news and gifts, duty free and specialty retail.

## Latest updates

- **2024-04** — A San Francisco airport lease amendment identifies Drennan as Stellar CEO and president and carries an April 25, 2024 execution date.
- **2023-05** — IAADFS announced Drennan’s return as vice chair for the board term through June 2024.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/padraig-drennan-a2130a7

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/padraig-drennan
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-08