PBN February 4, 2022

PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS

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FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022

BUSINESS WOMEN

Oschefski’s spa venture picking up a lot of steam | 8

EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS Leyva tries to build ways around the inequities | 15

YOUR SOURCE FOR BUSINESS NEWS IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND | VOL. 36, NO. 20 | $5

READY TO SPEND

More health care settings become LGBTQ Safe Zones

BY MARC LAROCQUE | Larocque@PBN.com

IMAGINE MOVING INTO a nursing home, after living proudly for years as an openly gay, lesbian or transgender person, only to be forced back into a closeted existence due to the fear of ostracism, isolation and mistreatment from intolerant residents and staff.

It’s not a scenario that would be allowed at Aldersbridge Communities, which operates assisted living facilities in East Providence, Providence and Woonsocket, which is one of more than 40 health care providers in Rhode Island to become certified as part of the LGBTQ Safe Zone Program launched by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island in 2015.

FOCUS: HEALTH CARE

SLATED FOR DEMOLITION: Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt says the city will use $3 million of its $36.4 million allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds to demolish a defunct water treatment plant on Manville Road next to the Blackstone River Bikeway.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

R.I. cities, towns have differing ideas about how to deploy relief funds

SEE SAFE ZONES PAGE 19

BY MARC LAROCQUE | Larocque@PBN.com

THE

HISTORIC CONIMICUT SHOAL LIGHTHOUSE AT THE MOUTH OF THE PROVIDENCE River is far from being the shining beacon it once was, but Warwick Mayor Frank J. Picozzi is hoping the American Rescue Plan Act can, well, come to the rescue.

Ravaged by storms, waves and the fragility of its age, the 138-year-old, sparkplug-shaped lighthouse has continued to deteriorate, even after Warwick acquired the landmark nearly two decades ago. Requests for federal funding over the years have failed to come to fruition.

A photo of a tree growing out of the building even became fodder for debate between mayoral candidates in 2018, a symbol of inaction with regard to the preservation of the historic structure, according to one of the contenders. Its once pearly SEE RELIEF PAGE 12

ONE LAST THING

Laurie-Marie Pisciotta Prioritize staff mental health | 35

2021 Providence

Business News Higher Education Diversity and Inclusion Award Winner

CONTENTS

PBN

COVER STORY READY TO SPEND R.I. cities, towns have differing ideas about how to deploy relief funds.................................................... 1

FOR STARTERS

400 Westminster St. Providence, RI 02903

Trending: Most-read stories on PBN.com, Jan. 2022.................. 3 5Q: Rilwan K. Feyisitan Jr............................................................... 4 Dining Out: Don’t forget the open signs....................................... 5 Spotlight: Simplex Engine & Repair Co........................................ 6 Something New: Lucidate.............................................................. 6 Hot Topic: A call to rework expiring tax deals.............................. 7 Business Women: Oschefski’s spa venture picking up a lot of steam....................... 8 Another Look: United Way eyes statewide nonprofit resource center................. 9 What’s Happening..........................................................................10 Everybody’s Business: Leyva tries to build ways around the inequities..........................15

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5Q | 4

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People in the News....................................................................... 30 Mackay’s Moral............................................................................. 30 To Savor: Jessica Norris Granatiero............................................ 32 Guest Column: David Goldberg................................................... 32 Editorials and Opinion.................................................................. 33 One Last Thing: Laurie-Marie Pisciotta...................................... 35

FOCUS: HEALTH CARE

More health care settings become LGBTQ Safe Zones The latest health care settings to become Blue Cross LGBTQ Safe Zones include a nursing home operator and a pediatric primary care provider, the first of each to do so........................... 1

FOCUS: HEALTH CARE | 16

Lawsuit protection offers some relief for hospitals

EDITORIAL Editor@PBN.com | Fax: 401-274-0670 Editor: Michael Mello, 680-4820 | Mello@PBN.com

Gov. Daniel J. McKee in December signed an executive order that offers hospitals and their workers protection from civil lawsuits tied to supply or staffing shortages.....................................16

Managing Editor: William Hamilton 680-4826 | Hamilton@PBN.com

FOCUS: EDUCATION

Web Editor: Chip LeClerc, 680-4886 | LeClerc@PBN.com

Gilkey looks to launch registry to help workforce Shannon Gilkey, R.I. commissioner on postsecondary education, wants to launch an online postsecondary credential registry to help make job seekers more visible to employers........... 25

Copy Editor: Matt Bower, 680-4824 | Bower@PBN.com Special Projects Editor/Researcher: James Bessette 680-4838 | Bessette@PBN.com

Online Realtor training helps fuel rush of students Virtual classes for pre-license training to become a Realtor in Rhode Island have played a major role in increasing participation among would-be real estate agents in the state................. 28

(EDUCATION, NONPROFITS)

Staff Writers: Marc Larocque 680-4830 | Larocque@PBN.com

Lists Physician Group Practices............................................................18 Health Care Educators.................................................................. 26 College Technology Programs..................................................... 29

(HEALTH CARE, GOVERNMENT, REAL ESTATE/DEVELOPMENT)

FOCUS: EDUCATION | 28

Nancy Lavin, 680-4822 | Lavin@PBN.com (CITY GOVERNMENT, ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES)

Cassius Shuman 680-4884 | Shuman@PBN.com

THIS WEEK’S FEATURED COMPANIES Aldersbridge Communities Black Contractors Association of Rhode Island Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

1

5

R.I. Department of Labor and Training

Jacquelyn Voghel 680-4828 | Voghel@PBN.com

16

R.I. Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner 25

(WORKFORCE, MANUFACTURING, ENTREPRENEURSHIP)

1

Mustang Partners LLC

30

Roger Williams University

New England Institute of Technology

14

Siena

5

PRODUCTION

Simplex Engine & Repair Co.

6

Bryant University

15 7, 16 9

Pools by Richard Inc.

8

Providence Redevelopment Agency

14

South County Health

Rhode Island Association of Realtors

28

The Bodhi Spa LLC

Coastal Medical Waterman Pediatrics

19

Rhode Island Builders Association

15

The Miriam Hospital Foundation

Community College of Rhode Island

25

Rhode Island College

25

United Way of Rhode Island

Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce

25

Morrison Mahoney LLP

7, 15

Care New England Health System

Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center

15

Brown University

Champlin Foundation

(HOSPITALITY/TOURISM, GOVERNMENT)

5

Heroica Construction Inc.

15

Johnson & Wales University

Rhode Island Foundation

9, 30

University of Rhode Island

Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns

14

van Beuren Foundation Warren Alpert Foundation

15

Rhode Island Medical Society

19

KG Kitchen Bar

5

Rhode Island School of Design

15

Lifespan Corp.

16

R.I. Department of Business Regulation

28

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2 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

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Providence Business News is published every two weeks by Providence Business News, 400 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903 (USPS 002-254) (ISSN 0887-8226) Periodical postage paid at Providence, R.I. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to 400 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903.

FOR STARTERS

TRENDING

Most-read stories on PBN.com, Jan. 2022

1

Former Ann & Hope property in Warwick sells for $7M POSTED ONLINE: JAN. 10 A former section of the now-closed Ann & Hope curtain and bath outlet store in Warwick was recently sold by WJG Realty Co. LLC to Crossroads Capital Fund VI LLC in a $7 million deal. bit.ly/347du8g

SCREENSHOT VIA GOOGLE MAPS

2

Alexander-Scott resigns as head of R.I. Department of Health POSTED ONLINE: JAN. 13 Dr. Nicole AlexanderScott, director of the R.I. Department of Health, resigned from the position on Jan. 27. Gov. Daniel J. McKee’s office said Alexander-Scott will serve as a consultant to the department PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO for three months after stepping down “to ensure continuity” in the department’s COVID-19 response. bit.ly/3L4DHFk

3

Hasbro names new CEO from within company POSTED ONLINE: JAN. 5 Chris Cocks, a top executive in Hasbro Inc.’s Wizards of the Coast and digital gaming division, will take over as the toy company’s CEO on Feb. 25, replacing interim CEO Rich Stoddart. Cocks permanently replaces the late Brian Goldner, who died from cancer in October. bit.ly/3ohn0MP COURTESY HASBRO INC.

4

6 of R.I.’s 10 highest-paid state workers in 2021 employed by URI POSTED ONLINE: JAN. 12 The University of Rhode Island employed the top two bread winners in the state – and six of the top 10 – among state employees in 2021, according to payroll data provided by the COURTESY UNIVERSITY R.I. Department of OF RHODE ISLAND Administration.

David Cox, the men’s basketball coach, was the highest-paid state employee, making $715,188 last year. bit.ly/3Gigko6

5

General Assembly OKs $119M in ARPA spending; McKee signs into law POSTED ONLINE: JAN. 4 The General Assembly unanimously approved a proposal for allocating $119 million of the $1.1 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funding. Gov. Daniel J. McKee followed by quickly signing the bill into law. The votes and McKee’s signing mark the first dollars of the ARPA money the state has allocated. bit.ly/3KZmvAW

6 7 8 9 10

PBN FILE PHOTO/CASSIUS SHUMAN

R.I. launches $50M homeowner assistance program POSTED ONLINE: JAN. 10 bit.ly/341g6EN

Co-CEO arrangement could spell trouble for Rhode Island hospital merger POSTED ONLINE: JAN. 19 bit.ly/3HlRg0L

R.I. COVID-19 cases rise by 15K, with 30 new deaths, since Dec. 30 POSTED ONLINE: JAN. 4 bit.ly/3IXiUkO DOH: COVID-19-positive medical workers allowed on job sites POSTED ONLINE: JAN. 3 bit.ly/3ggNY2U Hedge fund proposes $1.7B buyout of R.I.-based Bally’s POSTED ONLINE: JAN. 25 bit.ly/3GiHACR

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 3

FOR STARTERS

5Q: Rilwan K. Feyisitan Jr. CEO and president, Community Action Partnership of Providence County

BY CASSIUS SHUMAN | Shuman@PBN.com

1

What are the major similarities and differences between the business model and your nonprofit, human and social service agency model?

We have to strategically plan for the same business factors as all companies: staffing and retention, IT [information technology], program evaluation, continuity of operations and resource cultivation, which in our sector means donors. The main difference is we do not have traditional shareholders. Our funding and resources are passed through to those receiving our programs and services.

2

What should legislators and stakeholders do to help level wage inequities for human and social service agency workers?

The Rhode Island legislature has to take a hard look at the state’s chronically low state-contracted reimbursement rates and supports to community-based organizations and the staff that provide many of these critical services.

3

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

4 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

How might fixing the human and social services sector’s wage inequities directly or indirectly alleviate other areas of concern for your organization, such as with gender pay equity, child care, health care, etc.?

I’m proud that CAPP was an early leader several years ago in providing a $15 minimum wage for all our staff, but we were at the time an exception.

Worker shortages and demand have opened the door for higher pay, signon bonuses and mobility for some in

other sectors. The question many are asking is: Will this be the new normal in a post-pandemic era?

4

What is your organization’s perspective on the labor shortage, its impact on business and how might addressing the human/ social services sector wage inequities impact all industries?

These work shortages affect the entire Rhode Island economy and most workplaces. Every day, we see the strain the lack of enough child care workers has when classrooms need to close and parents have to work.

We are seeing many of these longstanding, undercompensated professionals move on to higher-paying jobs that require no direct contact. Many would stay for competitive salaries.

5

What is your major focus, the challenges you face with it and why is it important to pursue this objective right now?

Across the country, both government and the philanthropic community are understanding the need to fund core operational funding and not just the programs an organization facilitates.

To be as effective as any business, nonprofits require the operational capacity to recruit and retain talent.

That is our focus right now. n

These work shortages affect the entire Rhode Island economy.

FOR STARTERS DINING OUT | BRUCE NEWBURY

Don’t forget the open signs TWO THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED seventy-nine restaurants did not go out of business in Rhode Island this week.

This bit of news from restaurant row may come as a surprise given the tone of the reporting of food news of late.

While that is not an exact figure – the number is actually larger, as it does not include such establishments as doughnut shops, which are sometimes referred to as restaurants – it flies in the face of most of the reporting on food service so far this year. The idea of paying tribute to restaurants closing their doors is nothing new. A look in the archives of this column shows, for example, when the restaurant Siena underwent a makeover on Federal Hill in January 2013, I wrote, “The bistro address at 238 Atwells Ave. has seen other changes through the years going back to when the DiGiglio family operated a butcher shop there ... followed into the early years of the Providence restaurant boom by L’Epicureo, which was owned by Rozann (DiGiglio) and Tom Buckner.

In the early 2000s, the Buckners moved downtown, making way for Siena, which quickly established itself as a mainstay on the Hill’s Restaurant Row.” Absent, however, was the handwringing that overshadows such writing today. Hopefully, the narrative will soon reflect the resilience of those who continue to create new, exciting and innovative ways to feed us.

Along those lines, it was announced at the end of Providence

NEW DIRECTION: The restaurant Simpatico in Jamestown has been acquired

by Kevin Gaudreau and will undergo a makeover and a name change. In the spring, the restaurant will open as Beech.

PBN FILE PHOTO

Restaurant Weeks that Kevin Gaudreau, the successful proprietor of KG Kitchen Bar in Providence, has acquired the Jamestown restaurant Simpatico. Gaudreau’s team will get to work on a makeover and intend to reopen in the spring. The restaurant will undergo a name change honoring the historic tree that has graced the property for decades. It will be known as Beech.

Gov. Daniel J. McKee was a guest on my daily radio program in late January. Although our discussion was not food-centric, we got around to talking about food service.

I asked the governor about an

industry-specific issue. There is no food processing facility in Rhode Island that is certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There is a small butcher shop-type operation in Johnston that is federally licensed but could not possibly handle the volume from the farms in the state to process meat. There was talk several years ago about building such a facility in Portsmouth, but neighbors protested.

McKee said while there are no plans in the works for a plant that would be licensed to process and inspect meat, there is a discussion underway to establish a facility that would handle seafood. The governor was pleased to

be able to include that in the relating of his “calamari comeback.”

The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce has an annual drive known as “Ton of Love.” The idea is to have local folks contribute 2,000 pounds of food to the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport during the month of February. This is not a heavy lift during the holidays, but the center tends to be out of sight and out of mind to the public the rest of the year. The center director, Heather Strout, talked with me about the hospitality industry in Newport and brought into sharp focus an aspect of the troubles it is facing.

Restaurant workers continue to struggle. Quite frankly, the industry is only beginning to recognize it has not done as well as it should sustain the people on whom the day-to-day business runs. Ironically, many people who work with food must come to the food pantry to live. They have more opportunities now with job openings everywhere but may be at a disadvantage to apply and interview due to a lack of hygiene products – soap, shampoo, toothpaste. I proposed that hospitality business owners, particularly innkeepers and hoteliers, are in a unique position to contribute such items – the ones we all take home when traveling. Contact Strout at the MLK Center in Newport at 401846-4828 or mlkccenter.org. n Bruce Newbury’s radio show and podcast, “Dining Out with Bruce Newbury,” is broadcast on WADK 1540 AM and several radio stations throughout New England. Email him at Bruce@BruceNewbury.com.

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 5

FOR STARTERS SOMETHING NEW

SPOTLIGHT

SELF-STARTER: After working for a local law firm, Marc Lewin launched his own practice, Lucidate, in Providence in March. The firm specializes in business and tax law.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Firm gives its clients all access

FOCUS SHIFT: Stephen Clair, left, and Brad Clair, brothers and co-owners of Simplex Engine & Repair Co. in Providence, a third-generation, family-owned machine and engine parts company, say auto dealers were once a major part of the company’s client base, but the focus has shifted to heavy-duty construction companies.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Engine repair shop roaring

BY CASSIUS SHUMAN | Shuman@PBN.com

Handles autos, construction equipment

MARC LEWIN WORKED for an accounting firm and a local law firm before deciding it was time to hang his own shingle.

“I didn’t want to wait for my ship to come in, so I swam out to it,” he said.

Lewin, who always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps as a business owner, opened the Providence-based law practice Lucidate in March. The firm specializes in business and tax law, with a focus on familyowned businesses, high net worth individuals, startups and nonprofit organizations.

The practice, which is hiring attorneys, is a cloud-supported law firm, meaning all its documents are stored on the cloud, allowing clients to see billing information and track the progress of their cases.

Lucidate’s flat-fee and subscription billing options also give clients more control over their legal budget.

In the end, it’s all about customer service.

“There’s a lot of negativity in the world, so how you approach the work and put a smile on your face when you’re speaking with someone is really important,” he said.

Lewin holds a Juris Doctor from the John Marshall Law School and a taxation law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. n

BROTHERS BRAD AND STEPHEN Clair share a lot more than DNA. Always close, the Bristol natives grew up working for the family company, Simplex Engine & Repair Co., then went on to College of the Holy Cross, where they both studied history. And for the better part of the last four decades, they’ve run the family engine machine shop together as its third-generation co-owners.

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

years despite rising costs and supply chain snafus.

Every part of an engine – from the main cylinder block to the gaskets used to seal the cylinders closed – has gotten more expensive, with vendors now submitting new prices monthly, rather than the typical twice per year, Brad Clair said. The company has, in turn, raised its charges to customers who, so far, have not balked at the bigger bills.

“The first question is not why is it more expensive, but when can I get it,” Brad Clair said.

The bigger challenge, even before the pandemic and especially now, is finding workers. The job is tough, dirty and can’t be done over a Zoom meeting.

Still, the Clairs have made a safe and welcoming work environment a focus, sending employees home to get tested when COVID-19 scares arose, staggering shifts to minimize close contact and, once the vaccine became available, booking the appointments for their workers.

The company’s 100% vaccination rate was achieved without a mandate, accepted by the 12-person staff thanks to a combination of luck and the close bonds between workers and owners, Brad Clair said.

“We’ve had guys with us for 30, 40 years,” he said. “That says something, I think.” n

Working side by side for sometimes 11-hour days at the Providence machine shop site has not weakened their bond. The pair rarely disagree, and if they do, “it’s resolved within 30 seconds,” said Brad Clair, the younger of the two by four years.

Getting to work together has, in fact, been one of their favorite parts of overseeing the engine repair and refurbishing company, Stephen Clair added.

That, and continuing the legacy started by their great uncle, who founded the company almost 90 years ago.

While some aspects of the business have changed – namely that what was once a half-dozen engine models typical for the auto, commercial and marine clients they service has now grown to hundreds of designs, making each repair or rebuild job unique.

“We used to do the same job over and over,” said Stephen Clair.

“Now, we rarely do the same thing twice.”

The process itself, grinding down huge hunks of metal engine parts and reshaping or resurfacing them, either as components or a complete engine, remains much the same though.

And the reputation the family has built for its company keeps many customers coming back, the owners said.

Auto dealers were once a major part of the company’s client base, but the focus has shifted to heavyduty construction companies whose “extreme” activities create the kind of engine wear and tear that calls for a Simplex repair job.

Even during the pandemic, the company has not wanted for business. Simplex has continued to grow its annual revenue over the last two

OWNERS: Brad and Stephen Clair

EMPLOYEES: 12

YEAR FOUNDED: 1938

LOCATION: 1011 Westminster St., Providence

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Engine and auto parts repairs

ANNUAL SALES: $2 million

6 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

FOR STARTERS HOT TOPIC

A call to rework expiring tax deals

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

WITH MANY OF THE TAX DEALS Providence has with nonprofit colleges and hospital systems set to expire soon, some say it’s time to devise a better way to ensure these institutions pay their fair share.

Because they are tax-exempt, universities and hospitals are excused from paying property taxes. However, cities such as Providence have struck deals, known as payments in lieu of taxes, to help offset some of the revenue they would get if for-profit owners were paying taxes on those properties.

In the capital city, tax-exempt organizations own nearly 40% of the tax base, according to a recent city report submitted to the City Council.

That means the city is losing about two-thirds of the $130 million it would be collecting in property taxes based on the full assessed value as of fiscal 2021, according to the report. The city can’t do much to change the $35.5 million it gets in state aid on these tax-exempt sites, but it could renegotiate the terms of what the universities, hospitals and other nonprofits pay – currently a combined $7.5 million a year.

Ahead of upcoming negotiations

with Care New England Health System, Brown University and other major tax-exempt organizations whose agreements expire in 2022 and 2023, lawmakers are looking to consider how and if those deals should be changed. But they don’t all have the same kinds of changes in mind.

City Councilman John Goncalves, a Brown University alumnus who has been publicly critical of his alma mater’s growing presence in the Fox Point neighborhood he represents, said the current agreements are not working.

Specifically, Goncalves called out

Brown for underpaying. Its property holding, assessed at $1.3 billion as of fiscal 2021, is the largest of any taxexempt organization in the city, according to the report. Rather than the $49.3 million it would pay in property taxes, the university paid about $3.4 million in fiscal 2022 under two PILOT agreements with the city.

“What they are doing is frankly a drop in the bucket,” Goncalves said, also noting the university’s reported $6.9 billion endowment.

Goncalves said he’d like to see his alma mater contribute at least $10 million a year, though he stressed the importance of a data-driven and predictable formula to determine an exact amount.

But it’s not a one-sided relationship.

Brian Clark, a Brown spokesman, said the university provides 4,700 jobs, $200 million in research spend-

‘What they are doing is frankly a drop in the bucket.’

JOHN GONCALVES, Providence City Councilman

ing and “significant economic activity” from its students, graduates, programs and visitors. Brown also pays property taxes on its commercial building. Brown has given more than $70 million in the last 10 years to the city – the largest voluntary contributor among tax-exempt groups, Clark said.

Council President John J. Igliozzi agrees that reform is needed. But a combative approach doesn’t help anyone, he said.

“When you go in there adversarial, you are going to get the same limited results you always get,” he said. “It is time to apply pragmatic, reasonable approaches to these negotiations.”

Igliozzi also suggested adding clauses in which tax-exempt organizations would pay more if the city meets certain financial benchmarks. The terms of the deals should be revisited more frequently to account for changing economic conditions, he said.

The report recommended the city improve transparency and accountability under these deals while considering other ways to boost revenue, such as service and user fees.

Andrew Grande, a spokesman for Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, said in an email that Elorza supported the report’s recommendations. n

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 7

FOR STARTERS | BUSINESS WOMEN

Oschefski’s spa venture picking up a lot of steam

BY SUSAN SHALHOUB | Contributing Writer

THE

Bodhi Spa LLC co-owner Harmony Oschefski has built her business around family memories full of free-spirited living and simple, sustainable habits with hydrotherapy built right in.

As it turns out, these water-wellness practices are now resonating with clients looking for health and relaxation in Newport, Providence and soon in Boston.

Oschefski’s parents, who had Rhode Island ties, first introduced Oschefski to the water therapy that would eventually become the core of her business, which she runs with her sister, Cedar Hwang.

Born in Hopkinton, Oschefski moved to Nova Scotia, Canada, when she was 3. That’s where her family lived in a log cabin, creating a farm on 80 acres. She describes it as a childhood close to nature. “Playing in the mud and drinking from a hose” was a daily occurrence.

So was steam. A van on the property was used as a sauna, she said.

Hot sauna sessions were followed by a cold plunge in the closest body of water, she says, with the two steps always going hand in hand – an overall invigorating experience and one that has become standard practice for her

parents, siblings and other members of their community.

Oschefski believes that every life experience leads to one’s ultimate path.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, in human kinetics with a minor in life sciences and nutrition. She worked for a time as a sales manager for a pharmaceutical company.

“The fact that trillions of cells can work together as they do … it was the only area in which I could imagine working,” she said.

But at 25, she decided to make a dramatic change. She left her job and traveled for several years, sailing with Hwang, a competitive sailor.

At one point, after visiting countries such as Australia where reusable grocery bags were common, she used her contact in the manufacturing and grocery store sectors to launch a project designed to increase the popularity of reusable bags in Canada.

“Being as young as I was, it just kind of fizzled out, I guess,” she said of the initiative.

Another business idea wasn’t far behind.

‘Such a business was never on my radar as attainable.’

HARMONY OSCHEFSKI, The Bodhi Spa LLC co-owner 8 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

UNIQUE OFFERING: Harmony Oschefski is co-owner of The Bodhi Spa LLC, with locations in Newport and Providence, where she and her sister Cedar Hwang offer clients what they call the Water Journey, a sauna session followed by a plunge in cold water.

PBN PHOTO/­ ELIZABETH GRAHAM

It was on a trip to Hawaii visiting what Oschefski calls a “hole-in-thewall spa,” with a delivery method much like her sauna-cold water experience, that got her entrepreneurial wheels turning. The Hawaiian spa – though just a low-budget splash pool – still delivered that same feeling of euphoria, Oschefski says.

“Such a business was never on my radar as attainable until then,” she said. “But then I realized that maybe I could do it for affordable money. My sister, working as a Newport charterboat captain, was interested in being a partner with me as my husband and I didn’t have any credit here at the time. I went home and began crunching numbers.”

Oschefski had concerns, as water is expensive on Aquidneck Island. She credits the U.S. Small Business Administration and pool builder Pools by Richard Inc. in Cranston with giving her confidence that her business plan could work.

She was unsure how the business would be received initially. Bodhi Spa opened in Newport in 2015 with six employees. Almost immediately, demand was strong enough to keep the doors open year-round, not just during the tourism season.

Though an ancient method from European hydrotherapy spas, many people have never experienced the sauna/cold-water plunge combination, Oschefski says. It’s proved to be a unique, successful business offering that she and Hwang have branded the Water Journey.

It involves a recommended series of steps that include a soak in a Dead Sea salt pool, steam room, cold plunges, Epsom salt pool and showers in between. Oschefski says benefits include reduction of muscle swelling, improved cardiovascular function and a flood of neurotransmitters, which provides the euphoric feeling.

Now with 59 staff members, Bodhi Spa opened its Providence location in the fall of 2020 in a former cigar bar on Federal Hill, with the same offerings as Newport at double the size.

Oschefski and Hwang are seeking a 10,000-square-foot spa location in Boston.

COVID-19 brought difficulties. The spa, classified as a public pool, was initially ordered to shut down, a decision that Oschefski lobbied strongly against.

“People got to know my name,” Oschefski said of local officials. “We had to plead our case and show we were going to be safe.”

The spa permanently adopted several pandemic safety practices, as they made for better guest experiences overall, such as pre-packing lockers and allowing more time between clients in the Water Journey area.

The business continues to grow.

But the joy of providing the steam heat-cold plunge experience of her youth to others never fades.

“Once, a little old lady came into our spa and took part in our Water Journey. She’d never done anything like that before. She said as she was leaving, ‘I feel like I am floating on a magic carpet,’ ” Oschefski said. “I will never forget it.” n

PBN.COM | ANOTHER LOOK United Way eyes statewide nonprofit resource center

BY JAMES BESSETTE | Bessette@PBN.com

(Editor’s note: A version of this story was first published on PBN.com on Jan. 25.)

PROVIDENCE – Among the goals in United Way of Rhode Island’s five-year, $100 million Live United 2025 plan announced last year, the organization called for a nonprofit center or association to “strengthen professional development and infrastructure capabilities in the sector.”

United Way is now taking its first steps to make such a center a reality in Rhode Island. The organization is seeking 10 nonprofit leaders to be part of a design team to spend seven months developing a blueprint for how a statewide nonprofit resource center would operate.

Providence Business News spotlighted in a July 31, 2020, cover story how some leaders of local nonprofits felt the sector might benefit when it comes to training and funding by the creation of a singular organized voice or advocacy group.

United Way CEO and President Cortney Nicolato told PBN on Jan. 25 that the organization recently looked at how other nonprofit resource centers/ associations operated in 42 states. She said there is “absolutely a role” for a similar one to be in place in Rhode Island.

Nicolato said her vision of the nonprofit resource center would be “membership driven,” similar to how businesses are members of local industry associations. Also, the center, Nicolato said, would offer “a wealth” of products and services to assist local organizations across the state.

The United Way’s top executive said the nonprofit resource center’s business model – including

leadership structure and how it will be funded – will be discussed by the design team over the next seven months, starting in February. Nicolato did say United Way found that in evaluating the business models of other centers, about 40% of revenue was generated by membership dues and the remaining 60% was from philanthropy.

“It’s anticipated that nonprofits would pay very nominal … membership dues to participate in the center,” Nicolato said. “That’s a big part of this now is to build a business model and design what components will be included in the center. This has to be owned by the nonprofit community and make sure what we create in the center meets the needs of the nonprofit community not only today but long term.”

United Way has contracted with Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm Community Wealth Partners to work with the design team, Nicolato said.

She said the firm has built similar centers in other communities via an “open community feedbackcentered model.” It’s anticipated that the team will host feedback sessions to hear from other nonprofits on how the center should be shaped, Nicolato said.

Nicolato also said other nonprofit funding organizations, such as the Champlin Foundation and the van Beuren Foundation, support the United Way’s idea of a nonprofit resource center. The center pilot may go live in early 2023, she said.

Rhode Island Foundation CEO and President Neil D. Steinberg told PBN he’s aware of the idea and is taking a wait-and-see approach.

Steinberg said he feels the state still has “sector-

A GATHERING PLACE: The United Way of Rhode Island is seeking 10 nonprofit leaders to be part of a design team to determine how a statewide nonprofit resource center would operate. Pictured above is Cortney Nicolato, CEO and president of the nonprofit.

PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

related” nonprofit groups that are doing a good job representing various needs and causes for housing, the arts, health care and human services. He’s “still not sure” how a general nonprofit association would improve the landscape, but he said the foundation thinks the organizations can benefit from additional professional development from a resource center to help them work more collaboratively and efficiently.

“What we’ve seen is more benefit within the sectors that can express the needs of not only their nonprofit groups but who they’re serving,” Steinberg said. “We’ll always advocate for nonprofits to be included [in state-related concerns].”

But Steinberg said he wants to see what the design team comes up with over the next seven months regarding the need in Rhode Island for a nonprofit association. n

Join us for this discussion March 8th | 9am | Providence Marriott

PBN’s 2022 Workforce Development Summit will feature a panel discussion with top area business leaders, employers and educators from a variety of industries who will provide information and advice for Rhode Island employers faced with challenges to employee recruitment, retention and workforce development.

TOPICS

• What initiatives are on the table from the state and higher education institutions?

• How are they handling the mismatch between job creation and workforce talent in the state?

• And finally, what are companies doing to retain employees?

Register today at PBN.com or access the registration by hovering over the QR code with your phone camera.

For sponsorship and advertising opportunities, contact 680.4800 or Advertising@PBN.com www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 9

FOR STARTERS | WHAT’S HAPPENING WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9, NOON TO 1 P.M. Free Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3nqXhkV

Building your skills

MEETING THE GOVERNOR: Gov. Daniel J. McKee will be the guest speaker at the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 annual Meeting & Business Expo on Feb. 17 at Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown.

AP FILE PHOTO/STEVEN SENNE

EDITOR’S CHOICE

THE OCEAN STATE COUNSELING & Wellness Center will hold a young adult social and work skills workshop. The event will teach attendees about resume writing, interview skills, public speaking, in-person/ virtual/phone interview etiquette, dressing for success and use of positive body language.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9, 4-5 P.M. $20 Ocean State Counseling & Wellness Center, 1395 Atwood Ave., Johnston.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/33icRZ7

Gov. McKee to speak at EG Chamber expo

Legislative discussion

GOV. DANIEL J. MCKEE will be the featured guest speaker at the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 annual Meeting & Business Expo. Additionally, the event will host several local business owners’ display tables for networking opportunities and building connections with one another.

THURSDAY, FEB. 17, 5:30-8 P.M. $40/admission; $130/expo table

K. JOSEPH SHEKARCHI, Warwick Democrat and R.I. House speaker, will be the guest speaker at the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce’s virtual Eggs & Issues event. Shekarchi will discuss what his focus is for the legislative session for 2022. There also will be time after the discussion for a Q&A session with the House speaker.

TUESDAY, FEB. 15, 9-10 A.M. $25/members; $35/nonmembers

Quidnessett Country Club, 950 North Quidnessett Road, North Kingstown.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3FoP3j7

Hear from the mayor SHAUNNA O’CONNELL, Taunton mayor, will be part of the Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce’s virtual Quarterly Q&A event. The conversation, which will also include city Economic Development Director William Roth, will focus on the city’s current economic happenings.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9, 10 A.M. Free/members; $10/nonmembers

government contracting basics and considerations before diversifying your customer base. Learn answers about what the government buys, what it looks for in a vendor and what registrations are needed to do business with the government. Kaileigh Carroll, government contracts counselor for the R.I. Commerce Corp., will lead the workshop.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9, 10-11 A.M. Free Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3nqAiWQ

Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3ri12tS

Government contracting THE RHODE ISLAND Small Business Development Center will hold a virtual workshop titled “Basics of Government Contracting.” The session will help attendees learn about

Interested in having your business-related event included in What’s Happening?

Contact PBN Researcher James Bessette at (401) 680-4838 or Research@PBN.com.

Champion for change THE NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND Chamber of Commerce will hold a virtual HR Roundtable discussion titled “Be a Champion for Change in your Organization.” The panel discussion will help attendees learn how to be a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion within their respective organizations. The conversation will also include learning how to identify more-inclusive customer relationships, how to get people in the room who should be in the room and how to create an all-encompassing culture.

Tomas Avila, associate director of the R.I. Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity, will be part of the discussion.

10 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3qBdYMx

Recognizing manufacturers THE RHODE ISLAND Manufacturers Association will hold its annual Awards Dinner. The event will recognize local manufacturers for their contribution to the growth and success of manufacturing in Rhode Island.

TUESDAY, FEB. 15, 5:30-10 P.M. $155/person; $1,240/table of eight Graduate Providence, 11 Dorrance St., Providence.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3rjfSAv

Addressing homelessness CROSSROADS RHODE ISLAND will hold a day of training on the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool. SPDAT is currently used in over 100 communities across Canada, the United States and Australia. By attending the training, you will join

other service providers to learn together and be certified on how to use the SPDAT to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness and working toward their housing stability.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 16, 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M. Free Crossroads Rhode Island, 371 Pine St., Providence.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3u0EfGb

Marine tech conference THE BLUE INNOVATION SYMPOSIUM will connect the marine technology industry for education, networking and facilitating partnering opportunities. The conference brings together a broad spectrum of representatives of the marine technology industry from the U.S. and beyond. The symposium has welcomed more than 300 attendees and nearly 40 sponsors for the three-day event, which included keynote addresses, panel discussions and a unique series of five-minute flash talks.

TUESDAY, FEB. 22, 1 P.M., THROUGH THURSDAY, FEB. 24, NOON. $85 Wyndham Newport Hotel, 240 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3I7wl1q

Develop your growth plan THE GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000 Small Businesses invites Rhode Island small-business owners to apply for its Summer Cohort. With a curriculum designed by Babson College, expert advisers and a supportive network of peers, small-business owners gain practical skills and develop a growth plan for their business. Eligible applicants must own a small business in operation for at least two years with a minimum of two employees in any industry sector. Deadline to apply is Feb. 10.

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 9 A.M., THROUGH WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3, 5:30 P.M. Free Community College of Rhode Island, 400 East Ave., Warwick.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: 10ksbapply.com

UPCOMING PBN EVENT: The 2022 Economic Trends Summit will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10, at the Providence Marriott.

For more information, visit PBN.com.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Advertising@PBN.com.

PREMIER EVENT

2022

new date th February 17 | 5:30-8pm new location The Graduate Providence presenting sponsor

partner sponsors

register today

Access the registration by hovering over the QR code with your phone camera or visit PBN.com/events

For sponsorship and advertising opportunities, contact 680.4800 or Advertising@PBN.com

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 11

RESCUE PLANS RELIEF

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

white exterior is plagued by rust, the building riddled with chipped paint and covered in ­vegetation.

Now Picozzi is planning to take a slice of the $39.4 million that the city is getting through the American Rescue Plan Act to finally fix up what has long been considered a source of community pride. The price tag could be as much as $1 million.

“It means a lot to the city,” said Picozzi, who took office last year. “It means a lot to the state. It’s an icon.”

The lighthouse is also one item on a growing list of projects that Rhode Island municipalities are proposing now that they’re due to receive a combined $536.8 million from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, which is part of the American Rescue Plan Act. Local officials are happy about the windfall but are finding the process of identifying the right places to spend the money to be a balancing act of satisfying longstanding needs and less-essential wants.

“An analogy I’ll give for this is if you get an unexpected tax return, you can either go out and buy a beautiful big-screen TV or change the furnace that’s not running very well,” said Picozzi, who is proposing sewer and water infrastructure improvements along with the lighthouse renovation.

Unlike at the state level, where leaders have $1 billion and have so far allocated $119 million for statewide programs to aid small businesses and social services, many early proposals for cities and towns have focused on projects with a decidedly local flavor.

In Johnston, the mayor is making the case for constructing a new public safety complex. In Pawtucket, there’s a proposal to convert a former medical office into affordable housing. And in Woonsocket, a plan to build a synthetic ice rink has been met with some opposition in a city where many are dealing with poverty.

In some cases, the infrastructure proposals have been virtual. Municipalities such as Barrington and West Warwick have set aside thousands of dollars for upgrades to their town websites and cybersecurity. In other cases, officials are making plans to use some of the ARPA funds to cover budget shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic or are paying bonuses to essential public

employees during the pandemic.

Most municipal leaders are in no rush to spend.

Indeed, the vast majority of the federal funds has not been divvied up, in part because cities and towns have until December 2024 to allocate the money and two more years to spend it.

Instead, some municipalities are using the time to turn to their inhabitants for help in deciding where to spend the money, either calling public meetings to collect comments or conducting community polls and surveys.

The final rules for how the money could be used were only released by the U.S. Treasury Department in early January.

Allowable spending includes: money for responding to public health needs or to cover public revenue losses because of the pandemic; premium pay for front-line workers; investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure; and any government services, limited to either a standard $10 million or up to the amount of tax revenue lost as a result of the virus (that can be documented through 2023).

Now that the rules are set, the spending will pick up speed, says Martin Brown, program manager for the National League of Cities in Washington, D.C. “There was definitely some hesitancy for cities to get too into the weeds on planning,” Brown said.

“There are still lots of unplanned dollars out there.

In the next couple months, we’ll see a lot of activity as cities make full, comprehensive plans.”

RINK FIGHT Among communities nationwide that have already allocated the relief funds, Brown said, many have so far been “putting out immediate fires,” directing money to tackle big-impact, one-off “shovelready projects” that they’ve otherwise been unable to address within their annual budgets.

The Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund is providing $350 billion to state, local and tribal governments across the country, including $45.6 billion to “metropolitan cities” and $19.5 billion to smaller communities.

While for the most part, Brown said, the ARPA funds are being allocated wisely by cities and towns, which are undertaking “robust community engagement” and applying a “rigorous equity framework” to determine priorities, there have been some examples of projects that probably are not deserving of pandemic relief funding.

FOCAL POINT: Warwick Mayor Frank J. Picozzi stands on Conimicut Point with the Conimicut Shoal Lighthouse in the background. Picozzi wants to use some of the city’s federal COVID-19 relief funds to renovate the historic beacon.

PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

NOT QUITE BEAMING: The city of Warwick has been unable to afford repairs for the 138-year-old Conimicut Shoal Lighthouse in the nearly two decades since it took ownership of the structure.

COURTESY CITY OF WARWICK

Brown points to the affluent city of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., which is planning to use $2 million of its $2.9 million slice of ARPA money to help finance the construction of a 115-acre, 18-hole golf course.

“There’s going to be some examples of projects that maybe are not the highest and best use,” Brown said. “Generally, that’s not the trend we’re observing.”

One project in Rhode Island that did generate some backlash recently is a $250,000 allocation for a synthetic ice rink in Woonsocket, which received $36.4 million in ARPA funding.

The faux-ice-rink plan drew protests in November from an activist group called Rebuild Woonsocket and criticism from city residents who wanted the money deployed to help the homeless and invested in affordable housing.

Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt isn’t backing away from the rink plan or other ARPA allocations that received criticism, including $53,000 in improvements to the City Council chambers and $70,000 toward fixing ornamental streetlights. BaldelliHunt says those are only a small part of the ARPA spending plan her city devised after doing an online survey to solicit public input last year, which generated 154 responses.

“There’s a difference between the doers and the talkers,” Baldelli-Hunt said of the critics. “They were just flapping their jaws. We’re accomplishing things. Through the research we’ve done, we learned that that rink being synthetic, for the most part, you could use it throughout the year. This allows for residents to get out, exercise, try a new sport, socialize and be with their friends. You hear repeatedly that there isn’t enough for children to do.”

She says the city is conducting a second survey to better determine the community’s needs and wants, but the larger projects she and the City Council have already approved include $541,000 to repaint fire hydrants that are aging and contain toxic lead, $665,000 for new energy efficient LED streetlights and $4 million to replace water meters throughout the city.

Additionally, $3 million will be dedicated to the demolition costs of a defunct water treatment plant located next to the Blackstone River Bikeway.

Baldelli-Hunt says the city doesn’t have a plan on what it will do with the site on Manville Road, but she suggested keeping it as green space or the potential home of an information center since it abuts the bike path and the Blackstone River.

“Those are things that benefit everyone,” she said, adding without the injection of ARPA funding, these projects would have to wait. “Those aren’t sexy things, but those are things that are critical to good infrastructure and they’re important to ratepayers.”

Meanwhile, Baldelli-Hunt rules out investing ARPA funds in affordable housing, claiming CONTINUES ON PAGE 14

12 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

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RESCUE PLANS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Woonsocket has already gone above its obligations for government-subsidized apartments, but she noted that the City Council ended up authorizing spending $70,000 to reserve 10 rooms for homeless people at a local inn for the first three months of the year. Baldelli-Hunt also says she hopes to dedicate some of the local ARPA funding to assist city residents with homeownership.

THE SURVEYS SAY… Pawtucket, another former mill city along the Blackstone River, is taking a different tack.

City officials have allocated $550,000 of its $58.3 million ARPA allotment to purchase a 15,500-square-foot former medical building at 160 Beechwood Ave., and a 1,000-square-foot former group home at 305 Owen Ave., with plans to build 12 units of affordable housing. Another $285,000 is going toward purchasing a 2,400-square-foot home at 575 Fountain St. for two more units of affordable housing.

Pawtucket is also committed to establishing a housing/homelessness liaison position through the city’s housing authority, which will be funded by $300,000 in ARPA funding for three years.

For another $750,000, the city is establishing a job training program, in partnership with the New England Institute of Technology, which will also span three years, according to a spokesperson for Mayor Donald R. Grebien.

The investments in affordable housing and job training – the only ARPA spending plans made by the city thus far – were guided by the results of an online survey offered in multiple languages last year, with just under 1,000 participants, said Emily Rizzo, Grebien’s spokesperson. Another online survey was launched in late January.

“Our biggest priority is trying to understand what the community needs are,” Rizzo said. “We noticed that a lot of importance was being placed on housing issues.”

In North Providence, Mayor Charles A. Lom-

bardi said he is planning a community meeting soon to solicit input on how to use the ARPA funds. Lombardi said he will make final recommendations that will go before the Town Council, similar to the approval process in many of the 39 communities throughout the state.

“We all need to get the pulse of the taxpayers,” said Lombardi, who is also president of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns. “There’s a difference of needs throughout the state. Some of the outlying communities are not fully sewered. Some need affordable housing. But everyone is elated and excited to have this opportunity.”

Lombardi said he thinks the best use of North Providence’s $9.7 million allocation is for road construction and the development of two vacant properties owned by the town, including transforming the 4-acre Coletti Farm near Route 146 that it purchased in 2019 into a multiuse field for football, soccer and lacrosse, at an estimated cost of $1.5 million. The development of a public sports complex is not something the town could afford without the ARPA funds, Lombardi says.

“It’s a significant amount of money and will make a big difference for us,” Lombardi said.

‘SHOT IN THE ARM’ Johnston Mayor Joseph M. Polisena says none of his town’s $8.8 million in funds have been allocated yet, but he wants to use the federal funding to construct a new public safety complex for town firefighters and police, behind the current Johnston Fire Department headquarters. That structure was built in 1967.

“That would take up most of the funding. And I’d have to borrow more,” Polisena said. “I think it’d be a good shot in the arm.”

Decisions on how to spend Providence’s $166.3 million ARPA allotment – the largest of any Rhode Island municipality – have added to tensions between Mayor Jorge O. Elorza and City Council President John J. Igliozzi.

Elorza says his plan is to use $28.1 million to

‘We all need to get the pulse of the taxpayers.’

CHARLES A. LOMBARDI, North Providence mayor

TAKING THE FIELD: North Providence Mayor Charles A. Lombardi is aiming to use a portion of the town’s $9.7 million allocation in American Rescue Plan Act funds to transform the town-owned Coletti Farm into a multiuse sports complex.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

14 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

CASHING IN

Every city and town in Rhode Island received an allotment of federal aid, based on population size, from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, which is part of the American Rescue Plan Act. Below are the top 10 recipients across the state.

MUNICIPALITY Providence Pawtucket Cranston Warwick Woonsocket East Providence Cumberland Coventry North Providence South Kingstown

TOTAL $

$166,314,129 $58,270,161 $42,592,330 $39,431,837 $36,388,236 $27,785,912 $10,540,352 $10,407,637 $9,770,069 $9,071,224

SOURCE R.I. GENERAL TREASURER’S OFFICE

support affordable housing and homelessness initiatives, including $17 million provided to the Providence Redevelopment Agency to acquire and renovate properties; $28 million to plug holes in the city’s next two annual budgets; $15 million on racial equity initiatives, including $10 million for reparations; $12.5 million for city services and infrastructure; $12 million for sustainability initiatives; $5.3 million for economic development; and $7.7 million for arts, tourism and hospitality.

The remaining funds will go toward supporting existing projects, including spending $14 million on the ongoing Kennedy Plaza redesign project.

Igliozzi, meanwhile, has pushed back, focusing at least some criticism on the allocation for arts, tourism and hospitality, saying more money should go to beef up elderly and community services instead of “parties,” as he put it.

In Central Falls, Mayor Maria Rivera is not satisfied with the city’s $5.9 million ARPA allocation, noting that the apportionments were based on population size, not how badly a community needs pandemic relief. Central Falls was one of the cities hardest hit by COVID-19 in terms of public health, economic damage and impact on public education.

“Some of our state’s wealthiest towns are receiving nearly twice the rescue funding of Central Falls,” Rivera said. “I’m urging our state to help fix that and recognize the critical resources needed in Central Falls to recover.”

Still, Rivera is encouraging residents to email her with suggestions on spending the money.

Rivera says $332,000 has already been allocated to the city’s general fund to prop up its budget, $7,000 has gone to local youth sports organizations, and $25,000 has gone to a firm to help the city comply with federal rules governing the use of ARPA funds. Other priorities will include affordable housing, social services and “everywhere in between,” Rivera says.

Back in Warwick, Picozzi says that in addition to the lighthouse renovation, he’s going to ask the City Council to do community outreach to figure out how to spend $1.8 million of the ARPA funds on park and playground improvements.

Picozzi plans to allocate $10 million for water and sewer infrastructure improvements, with at least $3 million of that needed to fix an important feeder line that goes under Route 37 and Interstate 95, which has been out of use for several years, forcing the city to rely on a bypass.

The rest of the funding will be divided up by himself and the City Council during the budget process later this year, the mayor says.

“A lot of things we’re going to do aren’t going to be fun things. But they’ll affect the future of Warwick for years to come,” he said. “I’m trying to be more deliberate. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime ­opportunity.” n

EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS Leyva tries to build ways around the inequities

BY CASSIUS SHUMAN | Shuman@PBN.com

Jhonny Leyva

(Editor’s note: This is the 18th installment in a monthly series speaking with minority business owners and leaders. Each will be asked their views on minority-business conditions in the state and for ways to improve those businesses’ chances for success.)

JHONNY LEYVA NEVER HAD a doubt that he wanted to be a painting contractor just like his father.

There was something about the strangelooking tools and the smell of the paints that the elder Leyva used to coat the houses he worked on. And there was something about completing an honest day’s work that appealed to a young Jhonny Leyva.

So when the chance came, father and son banded together to start a painting contracting business in 2007, shortly after the younger Leyva graduated from Bryant University with a degree in business administration.

Now Jhonny Leyva is owner and president of Providence-based Heroica Construction Inc. The company started out with small residential painting contracts then expanded into general contracting, landing bigger construction jobs with Brown University, Johnson & Wales University and Rhode Island School of Design.

In 2021, the company landed its largest contract to date, a $2 million job refurbishing Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority train facilities in the Boston metro area.

“It was a grand slam,” Leyva said.

The journey hasn’t been easy.

Leyva was born in Cartagena, Colombia, and his family moved to Rhode Island in 1992 when he was 8. His parents didn’t speak English when they arrived.

“I saw them struggling, as they tried to achieve the American dream,” Leyva recalled. “So I didn’t want to disappoint them.”

Even after launching Heroica – derived from the “Heroic City” moniker given to Cartagena after a siege by the Spanish in 1815 – the struggle continued, as the fledgling business owner was passed over for many jobs.

“It’s a really tough industry to break into because people tend to use the same contractors,” he said. “It takes discipline and perseverance more than anything else to make it, and to not give up.”

There were also the challenges associated with being Latino.

“There is prejudice that you see and feel, but I don’t let that get to me,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s about capitalism, so I try to keep my nose down and keep pushing.”

Leyva gives back by teaching construction to youths in the community while serving as president of the Black Contractors Association of Rhode Island for the past five years. He’s also on the board of the Rhode Island Builders Association.

He shares his personal journey, staying focused on achieving his dream, while dealing with adversity and discrimination.

“There are a lot of opportunities, and I want the kids to know that, especially if they don’t want to, or can’t, go to college,” he said. “I tell them it’s not easy. It takes lots of perseverance, and the right attitude.”

Heroica Construction Inc. owner and president

HELPING HAND: Jhonny Leyva, owner and president of Heroica Construction Inc. in Providence, says state government needs to do more to support minority contractors by awarding projects properly.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

1

Do you believe racism is keeping minorities from starting businesses in the Ocean State or succeeding when they do?

There is racism, but I’m trying to move past that, as I think some people will work with contractors they worked with in the past. They say if they have been working with a contractor for 30 years, why am I going to work with you. That’s the kind of discussion I’ve had. Then I wonder if it’s racism. That’s why I got involved in the industry by serving on boards like the Rhode Island Builders Association board, and Black Contractors Association. That way you start building relationships and the doors start opening. Does a barrier exist? Yes, it does, but there are ways to break through and get around it.

2

How dependent is your business on the support of other minority groups? Is that a sustainable business model?

I don’t depend on any minority group. I am involved with them by giving back, but I don’t depend on any minority groups for support. There are none that do the type of work that I do. From my experience, there are none that would work on, say, a $30 million contract, where my company would come in and work for $2 million.

3

What one thing could Rhode Island do to boost the odds for minority-owned business success?

There are many things. One of them would be pushing state government to enforce the current laws that exist in support of minority business owners. They need to do more to support minority contractors by awarding projects properly. The state has issued too many waivers for businesses that aren’t in a minority-owned category. People want to do work with who they know, and I understand that

that’s business, but it is unfair to minority contractors. It has happened to me, where I felt I should have had more opportunities. I don’t think there should be any waivers. Or they should give certain percentages to each minority race category so that everybody gets their fair share of projects.

4

Have you had to turn to an entity other than a bank for a loan? Do you believe the state’s lending institutions generally treat minorities fairly?

I only work with banks. I’ve also had the [U.S.] Small Business Administration guarantee my loans. So, I have used the federal side, not the state side for financing purposes to guarantee my loans. They guarantee so that banks feel more comfortable lending to me. You work through the process of getting a loan. I think my first loan was for about $10,000 from Washington Trust. Then I went to another bank, and they gave me $35,000. Then I got the SBA guarantee, and then the loan was increased by the bank to $100,000.

Now, another bank, Bristol County [Savings Bank], just gave me $250,000. So, over the years I have built it up. But the SBA is helpful with their guarantees.

5

If another minority entrepreneur asked you where they could turn for support for their business, where would you direct them?

I am involved in this way with the Rhode Island Builders Association, and the Black Contractors Association. I have served as a mentor to aspiring business owners. I have worked with some smallerbusiness owners, guiding them through the process of being a contractor. I help more on the business side, rather than in the field. I don’t advise carpenters or laborers too much. My help is guided more toward business owners. n

There is racism, but I’m trying to move past that. www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 15

FOCUS | HEALTH CARE

Lawsuit protection offers some relief for hospitals

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

LAWSUITS

ARE NOT JUST AN abstract threat for Dr. Peter F. Graves.

The associate chief of emergency medicine at South County Health has been sued three times throughout his 22-year medical career. Two suits were dropped, but the third went to trial twice because the first ended in a hung jury.

The ruling ultimately came down in Graves’ favor, but the emotional and mental toll of weeks of preparation plus testimony before a jury and the patient’s family haunt Graves years later.

“All of us that practice medicine are trying to help people,” he said. “But all of us are also human. Mistakes can be made.

Or there can be no mistakes but the outcome is not desirable.”

Especially now.

Like hospitals and health care facilities nationwide, South County Health has been understaffed or running low on supplies needed to treat the growing number of patients flooding its waiting rooms and filling its beds. And that leaves the hospital and its overworked health care providers exposed to all kinds of legal problems.

The state has stepped in. Gov. Daniel J. McKee in December signed an executive order that offers hospitals and their workers’ protection from civil lawsuits tied to supply or staffing shortages.

How much the policy helps hospitals in crisis depends on who you ask.

The state’s two largest hospital systems had little to say. Lifespan Corp. declined interview requests. Raina Smith, a spokeswoman for Care New England Health System, responded in a two-sentence email statement calling the order “timely and helpful.”

Graves, for his part, described the order as a “comfort on paper,” something to take a bit of weight off himself and fellow ER doctors and nurses riddled by anxiety over potential lawsuits.

The governor’s order provides some protection against medical malpractice, but it’s not an air-tight legal defense.

“Where there’s a will and a lawyer, and there’s always a willing lawyer, there’s typically a way,” said Aaron Robinson, CEO and president of South County Health.

While medical malpractice lawsuits are not uncommon, those tied to staffing shortages were not a frequent occurrence, at least before the pandemic, according

A LITTLE COMFORT: Dr. Peter F. Graves, associate chief of emergency medicine at South County Health, is pleased about a recent executive order signed by Gov. Daniel J. McKee offering some legal protection for health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PBN PHOTO/ ELIZABETH GRAHAM

‘It’s a message of support, and health care workers need that.’

AARON ROBINSON, South County Health CEO and president 16 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

to Michael J. Racette, a partner for the law firm Morrison Mahoney LLP, which has offices in Providence.

Racette has represented health care providers, hospitals and medical groups in court.

Whether the pandemic-induced labor crisis will usher in a wave of such claims is unclear.

The three-year state statute of limitations on medical malpractice and negligence claims means most lawsuits don’t get filed immediately after the problem happens, Racette said.

If and when those claims arise, the fight will be over the exceptions and loopholes in protections such as the state executive order, Racette said.

Even then, the executive order might not sway the outcome, since claims of negligence or malpractice during the pandemic would be judged in the context of the emergency circumstances anyways, he said.

Alana O’Hare, a spokeswoman for the governor, said in an email that hospital leaders requested McKee issue the order less due to their fear of litigation and more because that concern over being sued was making it hard to hire and keep workers.

But Graves doubted that a little extra protection from the state against lawsuits was going to lure muchneeded nurses and doctors to Rhode Island hospitals. He blamed insurance companies’ low reimbursement rates for state health care providers – relative to neighboring states – as a bigger barrier to attracting and retaining workers.

Even those committed to staying in the Ocean State may be hesitant to stick it out in the harsh hospital environment of today.

Fewer workers mean those who are still clocking in work even longer hours, and once-readily available drugs and equipment can be scarce.

Patients in critical condition may wait hours or even days to get the care they need.

Graves described one situation in which a fellow ER doctor spent three hours beyond the end of their shift calling other hospitals and specialty treatment centers as far away as Albany, N.Y., desperate to find a placement for a patient with liver failure.

On the staffing front, South County has fared better than some of its competitors, down about 12% from a full roster of employees versus the 40% unfilled positions other hospital systems have reported, Robinson said. But he also knew that the vacancy rate could double in a day if a COVID-19 outbreak forces workers back home to quarantine.

Like Graves, Robinson was unsure whether temporary state liability protection would do much to tip the balance in the battle to hire and retain workers. But it certainly couldn’t hurt, he said.

“Any sign the community can give to them that they have their backs is well-received,” Robinson said. “It helps to know the posture of the state is one of ‘Hey, thanks for the exhaustive hours and working short for two years and serving the community.’ It’s a message of support, and health care workers need that.” n

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 17

| FOCUS PHYSICIANGROUP GROUPPRACTICES PRACTICES (ranked (ranked by number of local physicians) FOCUS | PHYSICIAN by number of local physicians) Company | Website CEO/President

Address Phone

No. of local physicians No. of locations

Lifespan Physician Group Inc. | lifespan.org Dr. Steven Lampert, president

167 Point St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 444-4000

702 78

Cardiology, dermatology, neurosciences, pediatric and primary care, psychiatry and behavioral health, women's health

Brown Physicians Inc. | brownphysicians.org Dr. Angela Caliendo, executive director

110 Elm St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (877) 771-7401

474 1

19

Allergy and clinical immunology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatric and palliative medicine, hematology/oncology, emergency medicine, neurology, urology, primary care and surgical services

2021: 2

Southcoast Physicians Group | southcoast.org Dr. Rayford Kruger, president

450 William S. Canning Blvd.

Fall River, Mass. 02721 (844) 744-5544

363 51

4 2021: 6

Performance Physical Therapy | performanceptri.com Michelle Collie, owner and CEO

4 Richmond Square, Suite 200 Providence, R.I. 02906 (401) 726-7100

108 19

5 2021: 5

Coastal Medical Inc. | coastalmedical.com Dr. G. Alan Kurose

10 Davol Square Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 421-4000

91 20

6 2021: 7

Rhode Island Medical Imaging Inc. | rimirad.com Dr. John Pezzullo, president

125 Metro Center Blvd.

Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 432-2400

84 23

CT, DEXA, mammography, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray

CharterCARE Medical Associates | chartercare.org Michal Frejka, vice president of practice operations

50 Maude St. Providence, R.I. 02908 (401) 456-2636

74 26

Primary care, urology, general surgery, neurosurgery, endocrinology, family practice, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, infectious disease, neurology, pulmonary and sleep medicine, rheumatology

Providence Community Health Centers Inc. | providencechc.org Merrill R. Thomas

375 Allens Ave. Providence, R.I. 02905 (401) 444-0400

72 10

Provides adult medicine, asthma-allergy care, behavioral health, dental care, family medicine, health education, podiatry and urgent care

2022 rank

1

2021: 1

2

2021: 3

3

7 2021: NL 8

2021: 9

9

2021: 12

10

2021: 13

11

2021: 14

12

2021: 15

13

2021: 16

14

2021: 17

15

2021: 18

16

2021: 19

17 2021: 20 18

2021: 21

Specialties

CLOSER LOOK

Total number of local physicians:

2,154

Cancer care, cardiology, dermatology, family medicine, OB-GYN, orthopedics, pain medicine, urgent care

Ranked by number of locations

Physical therapy and athletic training services

Lifespan Corp.

No. of locations: 78

1

2 Primary health care practice

Southcoast Physicians Group No. of locations: 51

3

University Orthopedics Inc. | universityorthopedics.com Dr. Edward Akelman, president

1 Kettle Point Ave. East Providence, R.I. 02914 (401) 443-5000

64 14

Orthopedics Rhode Island 2 | orthopedicsri.com Dr. Michael P. Bradley

200 Crossings Blvd.

Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 777-7000

29 7

Musculoskeletal services

Hand, wrist and upper extremity, joint preservation and replacement, orthopedics, outpatient therapy, advanced imaging and a new surgery center

Medical Associates of Rhode Island Inc. | medassociatesofri.com Dr. Pamela Harrop, president

1180 Hope St. Bristol, R.I. 02809 (401) 253-8900

25 2

Internal medicine, pediatrics, dermatology, podiatry

University Gastroenterology | universitygi.com Jonathan Freedman, chief operating officer

33 Staniford St. Providence, R.I. 02905 (401) 421-8800

22 4

Gastroenterology

Anchor Medical Associates | anchormedical.org Dr. Nathan B. Beraha, CEO and medical director

1 Commerce St. Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 793-8484

19 3

Primary care services for family medicine: echocardiography, pediatric cardiology

The Rhode Island Eye Institute | rieyeinstitute.com Dr. R. Jeffrey Hofmann, managing partner

150 East Manning St. Providence, R.I. 02906 (401) 272-2020

10 4

Corneal diseases and transplants, diabetic retinopathy, LASIK procedures, pediatric ophthalmology, reconstructive surgery of the eyes and face

Barrington Pediatric Associates Inc. | barringtonpediatrics.com Ronni Peltz, managing partner

334D County Road Barrington, R.I. 02806 (401) 247-2288

7 1

Pediatrics

Rhode Island Ear, Nose & Throat Physicians Inc. | rient.net Barry Rafanelli, administrator

148 West River St., Suite 2A Providence, R.I. 02904 (401) 728-0140

5 4

Allergies, hearing aids, ear, nose and throat

NorthMain Radiation Oncology | usoncology.com/patients/practices/northmainradiation-oncology Nicklas Oldenburg, president

825 North Main St. Providence, R.I. 02904 (401) 521-9700

4 1

Radiation oncology

Cardiology Consultants LLC Dr. Ara Sadaniantz

1 Randall Square, Suite 305 Providence, R.I. 02904 (401) 223-0223

1 1

Cardiology

1 The count comprises of physicians working for Brown Dermatology, Brown Emergency Medicine, Brown Medicine, Brown Neurology, Brown Surgical Associates and Brown Urology.

2 Also known as Ortho Rhode Island.

18 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

CharterCARE Medical Associates No. of locations: 26

LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette NEED A COPY? To purchase a copy of this list, call (401) 273-2201 or visit PBN.com/lists for more information.

UPCOMING LISTS Feb. 18: Public Companies in Rhode Island, Rhode Island Property Tax Rates; March 4: Mortgage Bankers and Brokers, Residential Real Estate Agencies.

WANT TO JOIN? For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 680-4838 or write to Research@PBN.com.

NL = Not listed last year.

FOOTNOTES j The count comprises physicians working for Brown Dermatology, Brown Emergency Medicine, Brown Medicine, Brown Neurology, Brown Surgical Associates and Brown Urology.  Also known as Ortho Rhode Island.

HEALTH CARE | FOCUS SAFE ZONES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The company is the only nursing home operator to become certified as an LGBTQ Safe Zone since it did so in late 2019, said Jodi Glass, an audiologist who sits on the board of trustees for Aldersbridge Communities.

“When I started doing work with folks who are in elder care, they would just go back into the closet.

It was too painful,” said Glass, who helped introduce the safe zone certification to the organization, showing fellow board members a 2010 documentary called “Gen Silent” about seniors in Boston hiding their orientations to survive in the long-term health care system.

“These are folks who would really be isolated,” Glass said. “They would go to an elder site and not be who they are. It’s starting a life over again, where you’re not yourself. You’re just someone being housed. And that’s just pathetic. Nobody deserves that.”

The LGBTQ Safe Zone Program was created to help address the historical challenges facing the gay, lesbian and transgender community in accessing health care and offering an environment that’s inclusive, welcoming and affirming of their orientation. The goal is to ensure that members of the LGBTQ community have safe, equitable access to health care without fear of discrimination, according to Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.

Certification requirements for LGBTQ Safe Zones include genderneutral bathrooms; annual staff training specific to the care of LGBTQ patients; clearly posted policies offering protection for patients and staff from discrimination based on gender identity or expression; inclusive intake forms, documents and procedures; and a public commitment to connecting with and serving the LGBTQ community.

Many safe zones also have signs to distinguish themselves and express pride in the designation, including the rainbow-colored upside-down BCBSRI Safe Zone triangle logo.

The program is unique and offered only through Blue Cross & Blue

Shield of Rhode Island, spanning a variety of services, including behavioral and mental health, primary care, dental care, and organizations that assist victims of sexual assault and domestic violence across the state, according to the health insurance agency.

The latest provider to become certified as an LGBTQ Safe Zone is Coastal Medical Waterman Pediatrics, a group practice in East Providence.

It’s the first pediatric primary care provider in the program, according to Blue Cross.

“LGBTQ youth face an even greater risk for negative health outcomes and severe threats to their physical and mental health and well-being than LGBTQ adults do,” said Jenny Bautista-Ravreby, BCBSRI’s diversity, equity and inclusion manager.

“As we continue to do all we can to support young Rhode Islanders navigating their own physical and mental health and well-being, we invite other pediatric providers and specialists to consider applying to the program.”

Dr. Elizabeth Lange, a pediatrician at Coastal Medical Waterman Pediatrics and president of the Rhode Island Medical Society, said she’s glad about what it means for LGBTQ children treated by her practice.

“We want kids and teens to know that when they see the Safe Zone logo on the door at Waterman Pediatrics, they will receive compassionate, affirming care, and that we have resources at the ready for both patients and their families,” Lange said. “We know that school can be especially challenging for LGBTQ [youths] as well, so we have developed inclusive communications to schools, providing the patient’s name if it differs from their legal name in letters to the school.”

Scott Gowrie, corporate social responsibility specialist at BCBSRI, said applications to become a certified LGBTQ Safe Zone are processed on a biannual basis, with deadlines for submission on Feb. 15 and Aug. 15.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 24

A sincere thank you to our patients We appreciate the trust you place in our team of 500+ radiologists, technologists and staff. We’re honored that you choose us for your care.

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4/7/21 9:29 AM

FOCUS HEALTH CARE 2022

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Quarterly Health Care reports featuring these lists: April 29, 2022 Hospitals; Diagnostic Imaging Centers September 30, 2022 Rhode Island1 Health and Dental Insurers; Massachusetts Health and Dental Insurers December 23, 2022 Urgent Care Centers; Addiction Treatment Centers

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JODI GLASS, Aldersbridge Communities trustee and audiologist www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 19

SPONSORED CONTENT

DELTA DENTAL OF RHODE ISLAND | deltadentalri.com

WOMEN IN HEALTH CARE

AT DELTA DENTAL OF RHODE ISLAND, Rhonda leads the customer service department where she and her team strive to help dentists, clients and members navigate the company’s industry-leading oral health benefits and care.

Using the latest technology, Delta Dental provides an array of services through their website allowing members to find a dentist, review their benefits and check the status of claims.

With so many resources available online, those reaching out to customer service are able to manage most issues they may have, but sometimes they need an extra hand. That’s where Rhonda’s team steps in.

“We’re here to listen to their concerns,” explained Rhonda, “so that we may quickly and effectively resolve the matter. But we’ll take our time to make sure all of their issues are addressed.”

RHONDA WILLIGAN

Director, Customer Service 401.752.6212

rwilligan@deltadentalri.com YEARS IN CURRENT INDUSTRY

30

YEARS WITH CURRENT ORGANIZATION

16

And the results prove it. Surveys show that 96% of customers are satisfied overall with their Delta Dental experience.

As a leader, Rhonda is a step above. She has built a strong team that meets and exceeds their goals every year, which explains the satisfied customers. Employee retention is great, too. The average tenure of her representatives is 8.7 years.

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Together with her team, Rhonda provides the best service to dentists, clients and members so that they don’t have to worry about coverage and can focus on better oral health.

MELISSA GENNARI

JUDY LOWEN

Assistant Vice President, Compliance 401.752.6239 mgennari@deltadentalri.com

Assistant Vice President, Strategic Initiatives 401.752.6401 jlowen@deltadentalri.com

YEARS IN CURRENT INDUSTRY

YEARS IN CURRENT INDUSTRY

YEARS WITH CURRENT ORGANIZATION

YEARS WITH CURRENT ORGANIZATION

30

30

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, Boston College; Juris Doctor, Boston College Law School

MELISSA HOLDS DOWN THE FORT on an ever-expanding compliance landscape at Delta Dental of Rhode Island with energy and enthusiasm.

In this critical role, she strives to ensure that the company adheres to state and federal regulations that guarantee fairness and equity for members and dental providers.

“My responsibility is to break down the rules and regulations so that people can understand them,” she explains. “Often the requirements can be complicated and cumbersome, but I find ways to simplify and communicate them to others in the company.”

That includes implementing the latest recommendations on privacy and security and regularly training staff on how to protect the personal information of members and providers.

“With heightened awareness of cyber-security issues in the public eye, we want our members to feel assured that we take the protection of their personal data very seriously.”

20 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

35

30

EDUCATION

BA, College of the Holy Cross MBA, Healthcare Administration, Bryant University

AS THE ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT of Strategic Initiatives, Judy spearheads the implementation of new initiatives for Delta Dental of Rhode Island.

One of her goals is to incorporate the latest technology at the company to expand services for members and providers while keeping the cost of insurance affordable.

“The team at Delta Dental solves problems creatively as we increase functionality and access to resources for our customers and the dental community.”

Judy is especially engaged in integrating tools that enhance valuebased care programs, increasing access to affordable oral care.

To foster continuous improvement within the company, she focuses much of her time evaluating and mapping out enhancements to their claims processing system.

“We’re always excited about adding the latest, most well-designed resources to our toolkit to streamline the delivery of care. It’s really important that we continually evolve and improve our efficiency while increasing customer satisfaction.”

SPONSORED CONTENT

CVS HEALTH | Cvshealth.com

WOMEN IN HEALTH CARE

DEANNE MEDOURIS

PAPATYA TANKUT

YEARS IN CURRENT INDUSTRY

YEARS IN CURRENT INDUSTRY

YEARS WITH CURRENT ORGANIZATION

YEARS WITH CURRENT ORGANIZATION

Lead Director, Retail Pharmacy Growth and Product Development Cvshealth.com

17

17

EDUCATION

Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island

DEANNE IS DIRECTOR OF Retail Pharmacy Growth for CVS Health.

She drives the company’s immunization program strategy across its 9,000+ retail pharmacy locations. Her experience as a frontline pharmacist combined with her deep knowledge of the product development process and passion for patient-centric solutions shapes her work positioning CVS Pharmacy as a destination for the public’s vaccine needs. Her team’s most notable achievement has been spearheading the effort bring COVID-19 vaccinations to stores, which has resulted in more than 60 million immunizations nationwide.

Ensuring education and access in communities disproportionally impacted by the pandemic and establishing a workflow that ensured safe and convenient administration of the vaccine are other proud accomplishments.

Deanne is a 2020-2021 graduate of Leaders of Tomorrow, CVS Health’s leadership development program. She has precepted many pharmacy students during their rotations over the years and is a member of the VIRTUAL colleague resource group that helps to promote connections, engagement and collaboration while working remotely.

ANGELA PATTERSON

DNP, FNP-C, NEA-BC, FAANP

Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer, MinuteClinic Cvshealth.com/minuteclinic YEARS IN CURRENT INDUSTRY

35

YEARS WITH CURRENT ORGANIZATION

15

EDUCATION

Doctor of Nursing Practice, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professional

DR. ANGELA PATTERSON is an advanced practice registered nurse, Vice President at CVS Health, and Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer of MinuteClinic. In her current role, Angela provides strategic clinical and professional practice leadership for the more than 3,500 Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants and Nurses who staff MinuteClinic locations in 35 states and the District of Columbia.

For nearly a decade, Angela has served as MinuteClinic’s top nurse leader and is deeply committed to delivering a quality experience for both MinuteClinic colleagues and patients. She has not only helped build the largest practice of retail health care clinicians in the United States, but has also guided MinuteClinic through five successful Joint Commission accreditation surveys and led the organization to be the first retail health organization awarded ANCC Pathway to Excellence® designation. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Angela has helped ensure MinuteClinic remained a trusted, safe, and accessible care delivery access point for patients across our communities.

Vice President, Human Resources, Retail Cvshealth.com

28

28

EDUCATION

Licensed Pharmacist, Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy, University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy

PAPATYA IS VICE PRESIDENT of Retail Human Resources for CVS Health. She serves as a strategic HR business partner to the Clinical Trials Services and Return Ready teams, executing strategies that accelerate business performance and facilitate the achievement of business objectives. She also leads HR initiatives and company programs that support colleagues amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including policies and protocols to support a healthy workplace, and the company’s COVID-19 colleague vaccination program.

Prir to her current role, Papatya served as Vice President of Pharmacy Affairs, where she led the corporate events team and was responsible for CVS Health’s public affairs strategy, which included deepening relationships with non-profit, governmental and other health-based organizations to raise awareness of the many ways CVS is helping people on their health care journey.

In her 28 years with CVS, Papatya has also served as Vice President of Pharmacy Professional Services, as well as in other roles within the pharmacy business.

MEREDITH DIXON

MSN, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, MBA

Vice President, MinuteClinic Patient Care Delivery Cvshealth.com/minuteclinic YEARS IN CURRENT INDUSTRY

30

YEARS WITH CURRENT ORGANIZATION

17

EDUCATION

Master of Science, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Practice, WellStar Colleague of Health and Human Services; Master of Business, Strategic Design and Business, Kanbar College of Design Engineering and Commerce

MEREDITH IS A BOARD CERTIFIED Family Nurse Practitioner and Vice President of Patient Care Delivery at MinuteClinic. She leads a cross functional team that designs, implements, and optimizes clinical services and programs that expand the scope of practice for MinuteClinic Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants and Ancillary Nursing Staff. Meredith and her team work to ensure that MinuteClinic is focused on clinical quality, patient safety, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and service excellence.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Meredith joined forces with colleagues from across the CVS Health Enterprise to lead a pandemic response team to rapidly develop ways to provide access to COVID-19 testing, immunizations, and most recently, treatments.

CVS Health has conducted COVID-19 testing across the country in tents, community sites, pharmacies, kiosks, and other employer sponsored locations. While these programs continue to evolve as the public health demands change, thanks to the efforts of Meredith and her colleagues, CVS Health has administered more than 41 million COVID-19 tests and more than 50 million COVID-19 vaccines. www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 21

SPONSORED CONTENT

WOMEN IN HEALTH CARE

RHODE ISLAND MEDICAL IMAGING (RIMI) | rimirad.com

JOANN BARBATO

Chief Operating Officer, Patient Financial Services 401.432.2400

YEARS IN CURRENT INDUSTRY

35

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND | ccri.edu

SUZANNE CARR, PHD, RN

Dean, Health and Rehabilitative Sciences scarr7@ccri.edu

YEARS IN CURRENT INDUSTRY

28

YEARS WITH CURRENT ORGANIZATION

YEARS WITH CURRENT ORGANIZATION

19

3

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE

School of Medical Secretarial Sciences and Healthcare Management

JOANN BARBATO has spent her career helping provide patients the highest level of health care services and supporting health care workers through her operational roles. She brings experience in patient financial services, contracting, auditing, negotiations and compliance. She is also responsible for credentialing, authorizations and scheduling.

JoAnn began at Rhode Island Medical Imaging (RIMI) more than 19 years ago, where she quickly became an indispensable asset and grew within the company. Currently, JoAnn is responsible for all aspects of RIMI’s revenue which is generated by 14 free standing facilities and nine major hospitals in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts.

“We are so excited to recognize JoAnn and her outstanding achievements as a Notable Woman in Health Care,” said Dr. John A. Pezzullo, president, RIMI. “Her dedicated work, extensive knowledge and collaborative team approach have contributed to RIMI’s continuing growth and, most importantly, our mission to provide the highest quality of care to our patients.”

EDUCATION

PhD in Nursing from URI, Masters of Nursing Education from URI, BS in Nursing from URI

WITH MORE THAN 16 years of experience in nursing academia,

Dr. Suzanne Carr provides leadership and oversight to CCRI’s Health and Rehabilitative Science degree and certificate programs, including nursing, dental health, radiography, occupational and physical therapy, radiography, and respiratory therapy, among others.

Her combination of research and classroom experience and deep knowledge of grant writing and interprofessional education has led to her success in contributing positively to the college and the success of our healthcare students.

Under her leadership, CCRI has solidified its role as a regional leader in health care education that meets the workforce needs of our partners in the health care industry. During her tenure at CCRI, Dr. Carr has successfully led the re-accreditation for the Nursing Department and oversaw the implementation of the $1.9 million Healthcare Workforce Transformational Grant to advance initiatives of Diversity, Interprofessional Education, Mental Health First Aid, and Continuing Education.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

ALTUS DENTAL | altusdental.com

WOMEN IN HEALTH CARE

“IT’S EXCITING TO KNOW people are gaining access to richer benefits while saving money. Ultimately, we hope that leads to better oral health care for our members.”

That’s the philosophy of Lisa Stabile, Director of Sales & Client Relations at Altus Dental. She’s been with the dental benefits company since its launch and is proud of their success.

For twenty years, Altus Dental has delivered flexible, comprehensive dental plans and Lisa has been an integral part of the company’s growth. They’ve done so well that they have been listed repeatedly among the fastest growing Rhode Island companies in Providence Business News.

Lisa and the team at Altus take a unique approach to servicing their clients, staying engaged throughout their long relationship, instead of handing them off to other representatives once they’re on board.

LISA STABILE

Director, Sales & Client Relations 401.457.7279 lstabile@altusdental.com YEARS IN CURRENT INDUSTRY

27

YEARS WITH CURRENT ORGANIZATION

20

EDUCATION

Johnson & Wales University

“I have relationships with clients that go back to 2007 or even longer. Once they’re on board with Altus, they can trust that we will take good care of them. I don’t want them to worry about a thing.”

This year, Lisa is excited to be involved in the launch of a new line of insurance: vision care through Altus Vision. The company partnered with VSP, the national leader in vision care to offer new benefit programs for businesses.

“We kept hearing from clients that there were very few options for affordable, quality vision insurance so we reached out to VSP to create this new partnership and I think customers are going to be really happy with it.”

As Altus Dental expands its offerings to include vision, the result will be more choices for businesses and consumers and better access to healthcare for everyone.

KRISTYN BOURNE

Account Executive, Sales & Client Relations 401.457.7257 kbourne@altusdental.com

YEARS IN CURRENT INDUSTRY

13

YEARS WITH CURRENT ORGANIZATION

13

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing, URI

KRISTYN HELPS CONNECT businesses across Massachusetts with quality, affordable dental insurance. The goal is to have their employees take good care of their oral health which contributes to better overall health and wellness - something that’s critical to every company’s bottom line.

Since 2018, she has worked with employers as an account executive at Altus Dental, building strong long-lasting relationships, the key to the insurer’s success.

“It feels great to connect with our clients, developing relationships and helping to provide a great product to their employees.”

Working one-on-one with each client, Kristyn partners with them to create plans that meet their goals and ensure employees will take advantage of their benefits.

In a world where purchasing healthcare can be confusing, intimidating and costly, Kristyn and the folks at Altus Dental strive to provide an easy and enjoyable experience for their members.

JENNIFER ROUSSEAU

Director of Strategic Initiatives 401.437.8792 jrousseau@chewsidental.com YEARS IN CURRENT INDUSTRY

12

YEARS WITH CURRENT ORGANIZATION

4.5

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Bryant University

JENNIFER RUNS THE CORPORATE venture fund, Altus Ventures, which works with businesses in the oral health sector to improve access and delivery of care through investment and partnership.

In her role, Jennifer also helps the company identify innovative healthcare concepts and bring them to the market.

Altus Ventures has partnered with a number of companies over the years that are improving access to care including telehealth, smoking cessation and sleep apnea screening through a range of products and services.

“I enjoy working with startup founders across our community to assist with bringing innovative products to market. The passion these entrepreneurs have for their initiatives is inspiring, and I love working with people who share a common mission of improving access to care within our communities.”

Not only does Jennifer’s work support the growth of these new businesses, but her focus on healthcare-related opportunities ensures exciting developments in the field that will ultimately result in improved health and wellness for everyone. www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 23

FOCUS | HEALTH CARE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

“Sometimes we have collaborative partnerships with applicants to make improvements to their procedures and policies to help them get to a point where they need to be to become certified,” Gowrie said.

“There’s a lot of enthusiasm around the certification, particularly among prospective applicants that are already showing a commitment to LGBTQ affirmation. They see it as a journey.”

Providers and other communitybased organizations can apply to become an LGBTQ Safe Zone by going online to www.bcbsri.com/providers/safezone-program.

Back at the Aldersbridge Communities facility in East Providence, Glass said the introduction of an LGBTQ Safe Zone doesn’t always mean that everyone who is not currently accepting of gay people will change their ways. But it’s making a difference, prompting conversations and making people feel welcome who otherwise would feel out of place.

“I have to believe that in many cases it may have softened a heart,” Glass said. “It’s pretty groundbreaking what we’re doing around our building.” n

SPECIAL DESIGNATION: Jodi Glass, an audiologist and trustee of Aldersbridge Communities, which operates assisted living facilities in Rhode Island, says the organization’s sites have been certified LGBTQ Safe Zones since 2019. Part of the requirements are gender-neutral bathrooms.

PBN PHOTO/MICHEAL SALERNO

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24 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

EDUCATION | FOCUS

Gilkey looks to launch registry to help workforce

BY CASSIUS SHUMAN | Shuman@PBN.com

WHILE

the state navigates the labor shortage, the R.I. Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner is seeking to widen the talent pipeline as Rhode Island sees higher education enrollment decline and the workforce growing older.

The commissioner’s office is looking to launch a postsecondary credential registry tool aimed at augmenting the qualifications of job seekers while making them more visible to prospective employers.

Shannon Gilkey, Rhode Island’s commissioner on postsecondary education, said the creation of an online credential registry is critical for building and sustaining the local workforce. “We are at an inflection point with the labor shortages and the economy,” Gilkey said. “That’s why this is needed now.”

Other state officials agree. Gov. Daniel J. McKee’s goal is to have more than 70% of the workforce holding a nondegree credential by 2030. The goal is written into the governor’s Rhode Island 2030 Plan, and he recently proposed creating a “higher ed academy” as a workforce development initiative.

Gilkey said his office would like to see that 70% goal reached by 2025. “It’s fairly ambitious,” he said. “You start with what the state needs, and that’s kind of our north star right now.”

Gilkey said a credentials registry would make it easier for an employer to envision a worker doing a specific job, leading to greater hiring trends.

He noted that Rhode Island would be one of a handful of states deploying it.

A credential is an official document verifying qualification for a specific skill that can be aligned with a college degree.

A credential registry would collect, maintain and connect information on all types of credentials, from diplomas to apprenticeships and from licenses to doctorates, and it would make that information easily accessible for individuals and employers.

“Some challenges presented by a credentialing tool include lack of digital formats that are accepted and understood by higher education,” said Gena Bianco, dean of University College at Roger Williams University.

“Current higher education credentials are very fragmented, with dual enrollments, study-abroad programs, badges and various certifications.”

Bianco said that universities might have to transform their transcripts to be able to accommodate all of the credentials that are being offered.

Gilkey said the focus on a registry was spurred by census data that showed 52.9% of the local population holds some form of postsecondary credential. Such credentials allow job

seekers to land higher-paying positions without spending years attending college, the report said.

The report noted that the two most common occupational fields for certification are health care at 17% of the workforce holding some type of credential, and business management and operations at 14%. Meanwhile, 27% of adults nationwide hold a nondegree credential – a postsecondary certificate, a certification, or a license.

Gilkey’s office reports that undergrad fall enrollment has declined since 2017 for the state’s public colleges. Rhode Island College decreased 25.8% during that period, while the Community College of Rhode Island dipped 18.9%, and the University of Rhode Island saw a 4% decline.

Tammy V. Warner, the associate commissioner of postsecondary academic and student affairs, said that a decline in undergraduate enrollment before 2020 was expected and related to demographic shifts, while the more recent decreases are due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Warner said the drops in enroll-

ment of 3.9% in 2020 and 7.6% in 2021 are in line with national averages reported by the National Student Clearinghouse that show about a 3% annual decrease in college enrollment.

Gilkey said employers need to quickly garner a clear understanding of credentials, and how the pipeline of education and training can efficiently prepare individuals for the workforce.

There is a need for modernization of Rhode Island’s information technology infrastructure to help build and maintain the registry, he said.

Gilkey hopes to link the registry to the R.I. Department of Labor and Training, and its credentialing system and training programs. Gilkey has been collaborating with DLT Director Matthew Weldon, as well as Angélica Infante-Green, Rhode Island’s commissioner of elementary and secondary education, on the program.

Weldon said the registry will provide data-driven information to help educate the state’s approach to workforce development.

“This project builds on our in-

teragency efforts to ensure Rhode Islanders have the skills they need to access opportunities in the economy, and that businesses can find the talent they need to thrive in our state,” Weldon said.

Gilkey said the program would help his office know the number and types of credentials in the state and who holds them, and the composition of the workforce and its training levels.

On the flip side, it would help employers understand what value they hold for workers, and how many people have the credentials they require.

Gilkey said the registry began with the Massive Open Online Courses movement of 2008, as an online resource. Other states, such as California and Kentucky, have since seen success with a credential registry.

“Higher education has been trying to wrestle with it as an industry for several years, but now at this economic tipping point it’s really good timing for use in Rhode Island,” he said. n

‘At this economic tipping point it’s really good timing for use in Rhode Island.’

SHANNON GILKEY, R.I. commissioner on postsecondary education

WORKFORCE AID: Shannon Gilkey, left, state commissioner on postsecondary education, and Tammy Warner, assistant commissioner for academic and student affairs, are pursuing the creation of a credential registry to assist employers and potential employees.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 25

FOCUS | HEALTH CARE EDUCATORS (ranked by number of students enrolled) FOCUS | HEALTH CARE EDUCATORS (ranked by number of health care students enrolled) 2022 rank

1

2021: NL

2

2021: 1

School | Website President

Address Phone

Total health care students enrolled Health care faculty/staff

Bristol Community College | bristolcc.edu Laura L. Douglas

777 Elsbree St. Fall River, Mass. 02720 (508) 678-2811

5,977 78

35 Campus Ave. South Kingstown, R.I. 02881 (401) 874-2116

5,008 331

University of Rhode Island | uri.edu Marc B. Parlange

CLOSER LOOK Most popular programs

Dental hygiene, phlebotomy, medical assisting, occupational therapy assistant, nursing, clinical lab sciences, electrocardiogram, health care information

Health sciences, kinesiology, nursing, nutrition and dietetics, pharmacy, psychology, speech and pathology, physical therapy, human development & family studies

2021: 2

3

Brown University | brown.edu Christina H. Paxson

1 Prospect St. Providence, R.I. 02912 (401) 863-1000

1,997 484

Warren Alpert Medical School, emergency medicine physician extender development program, health and human biology, neuroscience, public health

2021: 3

4

Rhode Island College | ric.edu Frank D. Sánchez

600 Mount Pleasant Ave. Providence, R.I. 02908 (401) 456-8000

1,847 54

Health care administration, health education, health services, medical imaging, nursing, wellness and exercise

5 2021: 4

Community College of Rhode Island | ccri.edu Meghan L. Hughes

400 East Ave. Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 825-1000

959 57

Clinical lab tech, dental hygiene, EMT, nursing, phlebotomy, physical and occupational therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, sonography

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | umassd.edu Mark Fuller, chancellor

285 Old Westport Road Dartmouth, Mass. 02747 (508) 999-8000

811 76

Medical laboratory science and nursing

2021: 6

Salve Regina University | salve.edu Kelli J. Armstrong

100 Ochre Point Ave. Newport, R.I. 02840 (401) 847-6650

749 91

Applied behavioral analysis, health care administration, holistic counseling, nursing, rehabilitation counseling

8 2021: 7

New England Institute of Technology | neit.edu Richard I. Gouse

1 New England Tech Blvd.

East Greenwich, R.I. 02818 (401) 739-5000

606 35

Health science, medical assistant and administration, medical lab technician, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, surgical technology, respiratory care, paramedic, public health, nurse practitioner

Providence College | providence.edu Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard

1 Cunningham Square Providence, R.I. 02918 (401) 865-2294

604 31

Health care administration, health policy and management, psychology, neuroscience, pre-medical health professions certificate

Johnson & Wales University | jwu.edu Marie Bernardo-Sousa, president, Providence campus

8 Abbott Park Place Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 598-1000

416 23

Dietetics and applied nutrition, health science, public health, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies

2021: 9

Wheaton College | wheatoncollege.edu Michaele Whelan

26 East Main St. Norton, Mass. 02766 (508) 286-8200

163 14

Biochemistry, neuroscience, public health

12 2021: 11

Bryant University | bryant.edu Ross Gittell

1150 Douglas Pike Smithfield, R.I. 02917 (401) 232-6000

123 18

Bachelor of Science health sciences, certificate of graduate study, innovative health care leadership, Master of Science physician assistant studies, MBA innovative health care leadership

6

2021: 5

7

9

2021: 13

10

2021: 8

11

26 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

Total number of health care students enrolled:

19,260 LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette NEED A COPY? To purchase a copy of this list, call (401) 273-2201 or visit PBN.com/lists for more information.

UPCOMING LISTS Feb. 18: Public Companies in Rhode Island, Rhode Island Property Tax Rates; March 4: Mortgage Bankers and Brokers, Residential Real Estate Agencies.

WANT TO JOIN? For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 680-4838 or write to Research@PBN.com.

NL = Not listed last year.

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Company | Website CEO/President

2021 rank

900 Salem St. 02917 Smithfield, R.I. (401) 292-5000

s Inc. | fidelity.com Fidelity Investment chairman and CEO Abigail P. Johnson,

1

2020: 1

fmglobal.com CEO; Malcolm FM Global | chairman and Thomas A. Lawson, Roberts, president

2

2020: 3

Ave. 270 Central 02919 Johnston, R.I. (401) 275-3000

om

Co. | gilbaneco.c Gilbane Building Jr., chairman Thomas F. Gilbane

3

2020: 2

5

Lifespan J. Babineau Dr. Timothy

| Rhode Island Blue Shield of Blue Cross & bcbsri.com Martha L. Wofford

6

2020: 6

of Rhode Health Plan Neighborhood Island | nhpri.org Peter M. Marino

7

2020: 7

Health System Care New England carenewengland.org Fanale Dr. James E.

8 2020: 8

2 |

com Suresh J. Co. | teknorapex.

Teknor ApexFain, chairman and CEO; Jonathan D. n, president Swaminatha

9

2020: NL

100 Amica Way 02865 Lincoln, R.I. (800) 242-6422

St. 500 Exchange R.I. 02903 Providence, (401) 459-1000 Pike 910 Douglas 02917 Smithfield, R.I. (401) 459-6000 45 Willard Ave. R.I. 02905 Providence, (401) 453-7900 Ave. 505 Central 02861 Pawtucket, R.I. (401) 725-8000 Ave. 363 Highland 02720 Fall River, Mass.

(508) 679-3131

Type of business Financial services

3,200 1946

$2.7 bil.

December

$1.7 bil.

December

16,564 1994

788 1939

$1.4 bil.

December

Health care system

1

594 1993

$1.1 bil.

September

7,548 1996

$1 bil.

December

583 1924

$947.5 mil.

September

TODD BLOUNT Corp.

Blount Fine Foods president

acreage) (ranked byacreage PARKSS (ranked ) STRIALLPARK by INDUSTRIA ISLAND BUSINESS ANDINDU RHOD RHODEE ISLAND BUSINESS AND

served as Todd Blount has familypresident of his Blount owned operation, since Fine Foods Corp., on the role 2000. He took joining the six years after in which is based operation, | Website a facility Park nameand has River Fall Address started 2021 rank Health insurer Park in Warren. Blount Quonset Business l career in professiona his95 Cripe St. R.I. 02852 as a product Kingstown, working North 2020: 1 1989 manager for Verizon England insurer of New Inc. until Nonprofit health The Centre ations England Boulevard Communic Centre of New02816to wanting Then, R.I. Coventry, 2020: 2 1993. a and work for come backRegional Campus Blount St. Fidelity operation, 0-900 Salem smaller 100-300-50of family Health care system 02917 part R.I.the Smithfield, 2020: 3 became Industrial Park setting Park & Howard business in 1994, tt Industrial first non- Pontiac Avenue company’s the Pettaconse upThe of Route 37 and Intersection 02910 soup production Cranston, R.I. 2020: 4 seafood Manufacturer Blount Fine line. Recently, Industrial Park Warwick Blount’s 95 Westunder Foods, Interstateamong Route 2 athas been R.I. 02893 leadership, Warwick, 5 West 2020: local the most prominent Park ,| edf-ri.com Health care system companies Scenic View Drive, Corporate Highlandring Drive, manufactu in excess Highland Corporate sales Drive generating Maple Ridge R.I. 2020.

02864 2020: 6 of Cumberland $465 million, in

Insurance

1,745 1907

3,835 1996

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1

2020: 1

and real Construction t estate developmen

423 1870

$2.5 bil.

September

Company | Website CEO/President

2021 rank

property Commercial al insurer of multination s organization

1,346 1835

$6.5 bil.

December

EMPL OYERSS EMPLOYER TOL BRIS MASSes .,in.,2021) TY, MASS COUNTY, TOL COUN BRIS (ranked by number of local employe

CLOSER LOOK

No. of local employees Year founded

$6.8 bil.

December

167 Point St.R.I. 02903 Providence, (401) 444-3500

1 Corp. | lifespan.org

2020: 5

$20.9 bil.

December

7 Jackson Walkway R.I. 02903 Providence, (401) 456-5800

| amica.com Insurance Co. CEO and president Amica Mutual chairman, Robert A. DiMuccio,

4 2020: 4

2020 revenue FY ends

2

3

4

occupants Dynamics Representative , Edesia, General Hexagon Dominion Diagnostics Hayward Industries, Toray Plastics Electric Boat, State Job Lot, 1 Metrology, Ocean 3,207 (America) Inc. Champion Wholesale Club, Applebee's, BJ's Barrel, Home Depot, Window, Cracker Super Walmart 504 Neighborcare,

Acreage

503

494

403

5

6

270

Highway access Route 403 to Route 4 to Interstate 95 Interstate 95

3

Ave. 363 Highland 02720 Fall River, Mass.

(508) 679-3131

1 System |

141 Oak St. 02718 Taunton, Mass.

(508) 821-1000

.gov Taunton | taunton-ma mayor Shaunna O'Connell,

2

2020: 3

211 Park St. 02703 Attleboro, Mass.

(508) 222-5200

Hospital | Sturdy Memorial sturdymemorial.org Brewer, CEO

Aimee B. CLOSER LOOK

2020: 4

4

Road 630 Currant 02720 Fall River, Mass.

(774) 888-1300

Corp. | Blount Fine Foods blountfinefoods.com president Todd Blount,

Total acreage:

8,400

2020: 9

5 2020: 7

77 Park St. 02703 Attleboro, Mass.

(508) 223-2222

oro.us

Attleboro | cityofattleb mayor Paul Heroux,

| BY LIST RESEARCHEDof Massachusetts Dartmouth Route 7 to University Bessette Interstate 295 James Inc. umassd.edu Fuller, chancellor 2020: 6NEEDMark A COPY? Route 37 to a copy of this To purchase Moran, Pepsi Interstates 295 273-2201 or McLaughlin & list, call (401) sts for more ital.org America, Tasca, and 95 Golfer's Warehouse, Swarovski North PBN.com/li Hospital | mortonhosp visit Morton Co., Siemans, 10 president . information WJAR-TV NBC Heidi Taylor, Cardi's 2020: NL Interstate 95 Van Lines, Astro-Med, Uncas WANT TO JOIN? Amtrol Inc., Arpin Communications, Furniture, CoxLLC For more information dhfo.org | in g Health Facilities participatin International about Diocesan make or to CEO Route 99 to Neurotech Roque, Top Lists, Joanne PBN’s Health Corp., Co., Tiffany & Co., call Route 146 to Cintas, CVS 2020: 5additions or corrections, The Hart Bayer Interstate 295 or write to Pharmaceuticals, Tedor Pharma, Coty, Unilever, (401) 680-4838 TriLiteral, Numark, MPG, Hershey, Polyrack BN.com.

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Fidelity Investments

6

7

8

9

(ranked by number of local

Address Phone

Road 285 Old Westport 02747 Dartmouth, Mass.

(508) 999-8000 St. 88 Washington 02780 Taunton, Mass.

(508) 828-7000 St. 368 North Main 02720 Fall River, Mass.

(508) 679-8154 St. 529 Pleasant 02703 Attleboro, Mass.

(508) 236-3800

Bristol County employees 2021 Bristol County employees 2020

employees in 2021) CLOSER LOOK ty

Type of business/enti

Health care system

3,835 7,467

Year founded 1996

t and Municipal governmen schools services, public

1,800 2,500

1639

1913

AIMEE B. BREWER Hospital Sturdy Memorial CEO and president

Hospital

1,605 1,565

1,598 1,160

1,224 1,224

1,193 1,206

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1946

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1939

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1952 758 Adams Road 400 John Quincy02780 831 250 FOOTNOTE m Co. Systems | golf course and Taunton, Mass.

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James Laboratory, Law firm 26 Interstate 295 Dean Warehouse Kingstown Road/Route 2020: 10 Pro peopleincfr.org Electro Standards $488.8 mil. 1844 (508) 679-5233 R.I. 02898 Gymnastics, People Inc. | CEO and president Plaza 8 Frito Lay, Penske, Richmond, 2020: Citizens February 1 COPY? 1965 A Electronics, NEED dy.com 239 R.I. 02903 Federal Megan Stirk, Park a copy of this Providence, LLP | nixonpeabo partner; 2020: NL Higher education To purchaseCranston Industrial Equipment Rentals 735 Nixon Peabody CEO and managing managing Don-Mar Creations, (401) 454-1000 273-2201 or Western Interstate 195 Die, Aramark,M&G Materials call (401)Pike 777 Elsbree St. 02720 767 list,Plainfield Stephen Zubiago, Providence office Anco Tool and for more Medical, u Wood's 02910 PBN.com/lists Fall River, Mass.

Armando Batastini, visit Law firm 81 D3 Inc., IlluminOss Cranston, R.I. Signature Printing, 2020: 9 College | bristolcc.ed 2020: 13 $482.1 mil.

(508) 678-2811 partner 233 information.

Plaza 1894 Handling Corp., Bristol Communitypresident Area December 2800 Financial 1851 England, Heating Service R.I. 02903 l Way Commerce Laura L. Douglas, Care of New Way Providence, m Commercia institution Interstate 95 Lanes, Clean Ocean State Job 2020: 12 TO JOIN?Avenue/Commercial Financial lockelord.co | WANT 565 Cranston LLP 274-9200 office Drive AMF Valve, (401) Mall Waterman Auto Locke Lord D. Graham, Providence Leonard informationR.I. 02914 330 Swansea 02777 more 424 Providence, Harold Glass, Scott Brass, Silver Spring g in 2020: 10 ForEastparticipatin Christopher Swansea, Mass.

230 Lot, PriceRite, about Manufacturing 1,598 nk.com managing partner or to make 2020: 14 $465.3 mil.

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172 26 East Main 02766 Tiverton Power 557 Blount Fine Foods Research@P president Pre-construction, Park Norton, Mass.

Todd Blount, services 257 Businessyear.

Tiverton construction Interstate 295 Center, D'Ambra 2020: 15 | wheatoncollege.edu last Road $451.8 mil.

(508) 286-8200 listed at Fish 1930 N Pull Ballard Truck St. = Not 24 NL Route Wheaton College president A. Duie Pyle, FedEx Distribution, Pick June 75 ChapmanR.I. 02905 t 02878 1899 Whelan, Tiverton, R.I. 2020: 13 Construction, Providence, Sims Metal Managemen 15 Michaele manufacturer 171 2020: Recycling, Jewelry dimeo.com | 416 781-9800 FOOTNOTES n Co. Automotive (401) Park includes Distributor machinery, DSM NeoResins, 49 Pearl St. Commerce service Route 6 to Dimeo Constructio 460 Lifespan Corp. j Lakeside 02703 Bank, Brown Medicine, and Shun Pike spare parts and Bradley Attleboro, Mass.

Interstate 195 Bradford S. Dimeo Earth Avenue Pendleton (add)ventures,Paragon Medical, Santander 35 Green Emma .com for packaging Brokerage 2020: 12 Hospital, $261.7 mil.

R.I. 02919 | leachgarner (800) 225-2706 Way Nordson EFD, Newport 1977 Johnston, LeachGarner president 2020: 14 Hospital, & Shepley Insurance industries December 23 New England 159 Hospital/ 1846 Starkweather CBS 12 02865 Tom Kimble, Rhode Island Lincoln, R.I. HospitalPark Inc., WPRI-TV r Industrial 2020: 16 Route 6 to Financial institution Corp. | whcorp.com Children’s 307 Dassault Westminste Hasbro (401) 333-2770 & Hoelscher Association, Lopes Hospital.

Boulevard Interstate 295 Windmoeller 35 Broadway 02780 285 , science president Catamore The Miriam and Pannone American Arbitration R.I. 02914 Wheeler, Life, Engineering Mass.

A. York | Andrew Taunton, 52 East Providence, 2020: 15 Savings Bank Systemes, New England Health and operations 2020: 18 $253.9 mil.

150 O'Gara Bristol County (508) 824-6626  Care New m 1979 Route 122 to Floor 7 Devereaux & December 33 Broad St.,R.I. 02903 of branded golf includes Butler bristolcountysavings.co 1995 Route 99 to System Hardware, Manufacturer Northwoods and Providence, Murray 146 to Kent County Ave. Webbing, Colony , Parkinson 19 headwear Patrick ran.com and Route 2020: Atwood Hospital, Cord apparel, 1301 238 | woodardcur and Blvd.

(401) 273-1007 American Hanna Instruments Hospital R.I. 02919 Interstate 295 accessories Woodard & Curran Johnston, 270 Samuel Barnet Inc., KKM, Aalberts 238 2020: 16 Memorial CVS Health Corp., CEO Hospital.

Mass. 02745 Gourmet food 150 Sumr, Technic t | edf-ri.com Alyson Watson, New Bedford, Women & Infants 700 Technologies, 146 to Park Woonsocke manufacturer 2020: 17 $250 mil.

Mondelez Global, Route Corporate aheadweb.com (508) 985-9898 1946 Drive Health System Interstates 90 Ahead LLC | CEO CVS Health Corp., Surfaces, Southcoast December 1000 Daniele 02839  Highland Drive Memorial 1852 Comtorgage, Truck & Auto Shine, KB Bedford Park East and 295 Charlton Anne Broholm, 02895 Burrillville, R.I. t, R.I. Hospital, includes s.com New England of New England, New 2020: NL WoonsockeLuke’s Manufactuer 2020: 16 180 (401) 568-6228 Blvd.

Artisans | danielefood 140 Hospital, St. m Stone Systems Charcuterie CEO; Chris Bowler, president 221 John L. Dietsch Southcoast to Contractor specializing | needsinc.co Street 200 1A Supply and Park 02763 Hospital, Route Welding Printing), Tobey Industrial David Finch, in bridge, highwayn Attleboro, Mass. and Visiting Pike, Steele 550 om Slatersville Group Navitus (American Hasbro Interstates 195 2020: NL $250 mil.

Physicians Drive, Providence & Co. | blackinton.c officer heavy constructio AM Source, AP 1967 (800) 699-4436 Ave. Industrial n, Contech Research, and 95 operating V.H. Blackinton Association. R.I. 02876 March 400 Lincoln 02888 Food Services, and Bacon Constructio CEO and chief 1929 North Smithfield, 2020: 18 Nurses Sales, Thomsen er of fine bed Peter Roque, Warwick, R.I. 12, Kaufman to Nov. Manufactur 113 Inc., on NL 123 n 2020: Route 175 Park  Keith Hovantt Industrial (401) 739-8300 cardi.com bath linens Parker Constructio of absence Routes 116 and Cardi Corp. | took a leave 925 Airport Road02720 Orion, Narraganse 150 president 2021, Nov. onDrive tt Park General Cable, 146 to Antonio B. Cardi, his arrest Hospital 1,605 Fall River, Mass.

Narraganse following R.I. 02916 Bullard Abrasives, Technical Materials, 2020: 16 $234.6 mil.

Interstate 295 Providence, chief 1913 & Co. | matouk.com (508) 997-3444 EJ Prescott 2020: 19 6. East Dr. Rayford Kruger, Stackbin, Materion John Matouk Jr., CEO September 211 Park St. Hill for the Air Park | edf-ri.com 108 Lincoln, Wildtree, 02703 1911 executive Drive, Jenckes Greystone of Industrial physician George Matouk Attleboro, Mass.

Group, catering Hill Road, Carol North Central Hospital | , Route 10 to Physicians 2020: 20 Restaurant and Road, Powder 150 (508) 222-5200 Southcoast Drive Rust Technicians Sturdy Memorial the Wellington Interstate 95 design Frank Mossberg Security, Auto Graybar Electric, Lang's Roadof leadership n, 95 over 427 Albion Alliance sturdymemorial.org took 02703 Constructio CEO in Hovan’s | firm 2020: 20 Road, 02865 system 249 Attleboro, Mass. careR.I. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Aimee B. Brewer, health Lincoln, and engineering Catering & Events 2020: NL $172 mil.

107 tt Park Drive InterLink and 1954 Russell Morin (508) 226-6600 Bowlarama Park absence.

December 505 Narraganse02861 Interstate morins.com Jr., CEO R.I. 1907 Huntington Industrial and Pawtucket, 95 | office Morin , Routes Russell Cos. LLC restaurants Niantic Avenue02907 2020: 17 Commercial bank (401) 727-3500 92 Arden Building recreational, s.com 295 21 Cranston, R.I. 288 Union St. 02370 Hospitality, retail, 93 The Miriam Hospital. 2020: ardenbuildingcompanie 100 CEO arwick.com Hospital and Rockland, Mass.

Robert M. Bolton, st.com | citycentrew sbro Children's 2020: 20 Co. | rocklandtru Coast Modern (800) 222-2299 Nurses City Centre Warwick Island Hospital/Ha & Infants Hospital.

Interstate 195 Jefferson Boulevard Rockland Trust CEO Aspen Aerogels, n, The Fence com Hospital, Rhode Group and Visiting and Visiting Nurses and Women Post Road and02886 | www.pbn.Physicians AccuCare Supply, Hospital Hospital, Newport Christopher Oddleifson, Physicians Group East Side Constructio OF LISTS Warwick, R.I. County Memorial Systems, Impco n BOOKTobey Hospital, Southcoast 2020: 22 2020: NL Construction, Pendleton Bradley Hospital, Kent Hospital, |Southcoast www.pbn.com 100 Tobey for the Southcoast Gripnail Fastening Butler BUSINESS NEWS Southcoast includes Emma LISTS Luke's Hospital, the to Hospital, OF executive Corp.

St. Center for 114 Specialist, includes ing Luke's Hunt NCE n BOOK Route Hospital, physician 1 Lifespan Manufactur Services, Health System NEWS physician executive | PROVIDE S St. Kruger, chief Memorial Hospital, Charlton Memorial Dexter Road New England 2022 includes Hinckley Yacht Newport Dinner Route 24 to Kruger, chief 6. Dr. Rayford 2 Care includes CharltonNCE BUSINES 195 | JANUARY Cay Electronics, 6. Dr. Rayford 16 arrest on Nov. Health System Dexter Road AM England Boatworks, Refit Center, Interstate R.I. 02914 Health System arrest on Nov. 2022 | PROVIDE following his 3 Southcoast 12/23/21 9:45 Yachts, New Link, Portsmouth Yacht 1 Southcoast following his East Providence, | JANUARY 2020: 22 a leave of absence system in Hovan's absence. absence absence.

88 of took Ocean and . leave Association.

97 Hovan's 2021, a 138 Train, care took Routes on Nov. 12, care system in of the health 24Association Road on Nov. 12, 2021, District U.S. Sailing Association 4 Keith Hovan of the health 114 to Route took over leadership 2 Keith Hovan Melville Marine off Route 114, West Main over leadership Lang Naturals, Physicians Group, to Interstate Physicians Group, took Stringham Road Hood Sailmakers, SEA Corp.

R.I. 02871 195 BankNewport, Rite Solutions, Portsmouth, 2020: 24 80 McLaughlin Research, Route 122 to Park Route 99 to dd 16 Aquidneck Corporate Inn, Tasca and Valley Road 022TopCos.in Route 146 to 001_035BOL2 John Clark Road Flock Tex, Holiday .indd 88 R.I. 02842 Interstate 295 CVS Health Corp., 022Workforce Middletown, 2020: 25 Endico 082_093BOL2 60 Chevrolet, Ace | edf-ri.com Street Route 44 to Industrial Park Woonsocket Founders Drive, St. Augustin Interstates 295 l Fortin Drive, R.I. 02895 Lockheed Architectura and 395 Daniele, GS Inc., Power, Blake Equipment Woonsocket, 2020: 26 60 m Solutions, Matrix Park | needsinc.co Route 116 to Original Industrial Corp., to Burrillville Moo CVS Health Route 146 Drive Engineering, Finlay's Extracts, Route 100, Davis Interstate 295 of Boston, Pare Academy, Lincoln 02859 Crispy Pizza Preschool Burrillville, R.I. Nurses 2020: 26 edf-ri.com 51 Print Ltd., Cadence HopeHealth Visiting | 117 Office Park | 5 Industrial & Pediatric Associates, JANUARY 2022 North Central/29 Place, Commerce Street S NEWS | NCE BUSINES Blackstone Valley R.I. 02865 LISTS n PROVIDE 2020: NL Lincoln, | BOOK OF

10

Southcoast Health 4 Keith A. Hovan

2020: 9

System

3 | southcoast.org

oblot.com Alan Job Lot | oceanstatej Ocean State principal owner and CEO; owners Marc Perlman,Steve Aronow, principal Perlman and

11

Park Road 375 Commerce R.I. 02852 North Kingstown, (401) 295-2672

$810 mil.

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LIST RESEARCHED James Bessette

BY

NEED A COPY? a copy of this To purchase 273-2201 or list, call (401) sts for more visit PBN.com/li information. last year.

NL = Not listed FOOTNOTES Health System j Southcoast Memorial includes Charlton Hospital, Luke’s Hospital, St. Southcoast Tobey Hospital, and Visiting Physicians Group .

Nurses Association on Nov. 12,  Keith Hovan leave of absence 2021, took a arrest on Nov. following his Kruger, chief 6. Dr. Rayford for the physician executive Group, Southcoast Physicians of the took over leadershipin Hovan’s health care system absence.

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ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY PBN.COM/PBN-BOOK-OF-LISTS SPONSORED BY:

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 27

FOCUS | EDUCATION Online Realtor training helps fuel rush of students

BY MARC LAROCQUE | Larocque@PBN.com

A COMBINATION OF A RED-HOT ­residential real estate market, the rising popularity of house-flipping reality shows, the “great resignation” and the convenience of Zoom-based education are unleashing a flood of people who are looking for training to become real estate agents, according to local industry leaders.

“It’s kind of an alignment of a lot of factors,” said Ann Enos, professional development director for the Rhode Island Association of Realtors. “A lot of people got laid off. A lot of people don’t want to go back to the office anymore. They don’t like being in a 9-to-5 job. They like having their professional and personal lives work well together.”

At the start of 2022, there were 6,153 Realtors in Rhode Island, and the state association says it experienced a 10% growth membership between 2020 and 2021, exceeding the growth rate in prior years.

There are now more than 9,956 people who are licensed as real estate salespeople and real estate brokers in the state, including those who are not members of the organization, said Enos, referring to figures from the R.I. Department of Business Regulation.

Before COVID-19 struck, anyone going through the required 45 hours of pre-license training had to do so in person, but in March 2020 members of the state’s real estate industry lobbied the DBR to allow virtual remote learning classes. The state quickly granted a temporary emergency authorization to accommodate, Enos said.

Then, as of May 1, 2021, the DBR made interactive, livestreamed classes an option on a permanent basis for pre-license training. While other states offer self-paced, online video courses for pre-license training, Rhode Island does not, as a consumer protection measure, Enos said.

Enos said the virtual classroom has played a major role in increasing participation among would-be Realtors in Rhode Island.

“It’s definitely opened the door to more people,” she said. “Everyone had the time to make the effort when we were on lockdown. You can only binge TV so much. For people who were laid off or working remotely 9 to 5, they’re now able to log in at 6 p.m. and take the course. Travel is no longer an issue. Inclement weather is no longer an issue. It has made our industry more and more desirable to get into.”

It was a quick pivot for pre-license training, said Enos, noting that in 2020 the state initially put rules in place that required all classes to be recorded for regulatory review, although that’s no longer the case for the 60 certified real estate education schools throughout Rhode Island.

Enos said the Realtors association must, however, make information available proving that students participated in the 45 hours of virtual courses, and the organization also uses staff to monitor the classes to make sure everyone is paying attention.

“We can be audited at any time to show Zoom reports on when someone signs in or signs out,” Enos said.

The group had to purchase some more laptops for instructors, professional information technology support and a Zoom videoconference software subscription, she said. But it has paid off for the as-

sociation, said Enos, who credited two instructors, “Many television programs glamorized real Denise Mancini and Kevin Dumont, for leading the estate for younger demographics, and enticed them charge, which was supported by Pamela Hansonto enter the field,” Del Borgo said. “It’s becoming Carbone and Andy Goulet. more high-tech oriented, too, which also appeals “All of this technology now has really changed to younger demographics. In some cases, folks are the dynamic,” Enos said. “It has not depleted the turning hobbies into careers.” quality of lectures. There were a whole bunch of Del Borgo also agrees that the lifestyle of a real guidelines we’ve had to follow during the Zoom estate agent, and being able to work an accomclasses.” modating schedule, has been attractive to people Agueda Del Borgo, a longtime real estate profeslooking for a new job.

“As folks were furloughed, I think that real sional in Rhode Island and the recently appointed estate has been seen as a great second career for president of the association, says the COVID-19 many people,” Del Borgo pandemic came with insaid. “I think a big draw creased demand for homes is it’s a flexible career. amid a shrinking supply of People like the idea of being new housing, while buyers independent contractors, looked for houses in the and their own bosses. One suburbs and others sought doesn’t necessarily have to more-affordable housing work from an office. I have options. This all amounts to an office but have always more work becoming availpredominantly worked able for real estate agents, from home for many she said. years.”

“COVID drove the While virtual education demand for homes,” Del for pre-license training Borgo said. “With housing is here to stay in Rhode being so tight, it was just Island, Enos says, in-person magnified.” education courses will Del Borgo says she bereturn eventually for those lieves the increased popuwho prefer face-to-face inlarity of TV shows about fixing up homes and flipteraction with instructors.

ANN ENOS, Rhode Island ping them for more money “In-person will come Association of Realtors has inspired interest in back as soon as it’s safe and comfortable,” Enos said. “A the real estate industry – professional development lot of people in our industry especially among younger director really miss it.” n people.

‘All of this technology now has really changed the dynamic.’

APPEALING BENEFIT: Agueda Del Borgo, left, president of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors, and Ann Enos, professional development director for the association, agree that the lifestyle of a real estate agent, and being able to work an accommodating schedule, has been attractive to people looking for a new job.

PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

28 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

FOCUS ||COLLEGE COLLEGETECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGYPROGRAMS PROGRAMS

(ranked by number of undergraduate technology students)

(ranked by number of undergraduate technology students)

Total undergrads Total faculty

In-state tuition Out-of-state tuition

CLOSER LOOK

School | Website President

Address Phone

Tech undergrads Tech faculty

1 2021: 1

University of Rhode Island | uri.edu Marc B. Parlange

35 Campus Ave. South Kingstown, R.I. 02881 (401) 874-2116

2,099 109

12,790 801

$15,332 $33,354

Biomedical engineering, biotechnology, computer engineering, computer science, data science, industrial and systems engineering

2 2021: 3

New England Institute of Technology | neit.edu Richard I. Gouse

1 New England Tech Blvd.

East Greenwich, R.I. 02818 (401) 739-5000

1,739 103

2,523 115

$30,900 $30,900

Architectural building engineering; cybersecurity/networking; software engineering; digital media production; graphics

3 2021: 2

Community College of Rhode Island | ccri.edu Meghan L. Hughes

400 East Ave. Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 825-1000

1,560 144

11,962 292

$4,980 $13,260

Chemical technology, computer studies, cybersecurity, engineering, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, mathematics, cloud computing, biology, physics, information processing

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | umassd.edu Mark Fuller, chancellor

285 Old Westport Road Dartmouth, Mass. 02747 (508) 999-8000

936 68

2022 rank

4 2021: 4

4,905 561

$14,408 $30,153

Technology degree programs

Data science, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, computer and information science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, bioengineering

Bristol Community College | bristolcc.edu Laura L. Douglas

777 Elsbree St. Fall River, Mass. 02720 (508) 678-2811

443 12

5,977 116

$5,282 $10,226

Business information systems, computer networking, computer programming and web development, cybersecurity and digital forensics, game development and game creation, computer information systems

6 2021: 7

Johnson & Wales University | jwu.edu Marie Bernardo-Sousa, president, Providence campus

8 Abbott Park Place Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 598-1000

412 39

4,344 466

$35,750 $35,750

Biomedical engineering, computer engineering, graphic design, cyberthreat intelligence and defense, computer science

7 2021: 8

Rhode Island College | ric.edu Frank D. Sánchez

600 Mount Pleasant Ave. Providence, R.I. 02908 (401) 456-8000

264 13

4,060 297

$9,277 $13,915

Computer information systems, computer science, data science, technology education, digital media

8 2021: 9

Salve Regina University | salve.edu Kelli J. Armstrong

100 Ochre Point Ave. Newport, R.I. 02840 (401) 847-6650

164 7

2,069 303

$43,500 $43,500

Studio arts (graphic design, illustration, interactive media arts, photography), English communications, medical technology

Bryant University | bryant.edu Ross Gittell

1150 Douglas Pike Smithfield, R.I. 02917 (401) 232-6000

109 12

3,038 301

$46,885 $46,885

Bachelor of Science in data science, Bachelor of Science in business administration, information systems

5 2021: NL

9

2021: 6

Total number of tech undergrads enrolled:

7,726 LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette NEED A COPY? To purchase a copy of this list, call (401) 273-2201 or visit PBN.com/lists for more information.

UPCOMING LISTS Feb. 18: Public Companies in Rhode Island, Rhode Island Property Tax Rates; March 4: Mortgage Bankers and Brokers, Residential Real Estate Agencies.

WANT TO JOIN? For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 680-4838 or write to Research@PBN.com.

NL = Not listed last year.

WELCOMES PARTNER SPONSOR

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 29

IT’S PERSONAL Hirsch named WAF board chair DAVID M. HIRSCH, the managing partner of Providence-based private investment firm Mustang Partners LLC, was recently named the new chairperson of the Warren Alpert Foundation’s board of directors. He succeeded Dr. Joseph Martin, former Harvard Medical School dean, as chairperson on Jan. 1. The foundation is the largest funder of health- and medical-related research in Rhode Island. Hirsch has previously served as chairperson for the Rhode Island Foundation and The Miriam Hospital Foundation, among other board roles.

You first joined the board in 2015. What initiatives have you helped create for the foundation?

The foundation was fully funded in 2015 when the work to create a structure for a substantial organization began.

Along with a subgroup of directors, we began a complete review of existing bylaws and committees, as well as adding some that were needed. A seasoned investment committee was established to select a professional outside adviser and then deploy the funds in an organized and thoughtful way.

What are your goals for the foundation as the board’s chairperson?

Recently the board, during a Zoom “retreat” session, agreed upon several areas of focus for the intermediate future: generally supporting existing programs of proven excellence, public health, education and health care for underrepresented minorities, and medical education support for nonmedical school institutions. Given that consensus, our goals are to make grants within those foci that are relevant to our mission: the prevention, treatment, or cure of human conditions and diseases, the effective delivery of health care services, the promotion of creative education of people for ultimate benefit of society, and to create meaningful employment opportunities in the health care arena. Working toward fully investing in those focus areas over the next

several years will be our prime objective, while having the flexibility to respond to compelling opportunities that may arise.

The pandemic has been a major burden on local health care.

In what ways has the foundation been responding to the crisis?

One of the advantages of a private foundation is that we can react quickly and meaningfully in times of crisis. Our distributions have been focused on immediate relief to those most affected by the pandemic: timely grants to regional food banks, Meals on Wheels, homeless shelters, nursing homes, mobile medical service providers and community health care clinics.

Do you foresee the pandemic having a long-lasting impact on local health care?

It certainly has to. The lessons learned require the need to build lasting and resilient institutions for the entire community. The impact and dire effect on our society of the pandemics early in the 19th century were virtually forgotten; we cannot let that happen again. We have learned the hard way that when one of us is sick, we are all sick; and no matter how disconnected we think we are from each other, Mother Nature has her own plan. n

MACKAY’S MORAL | HARVEY MACKAY

Vanquish bad work habits A RECKLESS DRIVER made a right turn from the left lane and collided with another car. The other driver angrily asked, “Why didn’t you signal?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, the driver replied, “I always turn here.”

I suspect we all could identify some of our own bad habits, but are yours holding you back from success in your career? If you think so, you’re not alone. A whopping 97% of those participating in an online survey of 972 people conducted by corporate trainer VitalSmarts identified at least one career-limiting habit that prevents them from reaching their full potential.

The top five bad habits are unreliability, the “It’s not my job” syndrome, procrastination, resistance to change and a negative attitude. Having just one of those flaws can break a career or bring down a company’s reputation. Let’s examine the problems they cause.

When people are unreliable, they are not dependable. Few things are worse in business. Being late to work can translate to delayed projects and missed deadlines. A cavalier attitude about follow-through sends a message to customers that they can’t depend on your service or product.

As for the “It’s not my job” syndrome, let me refer to the story of Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done, and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. In the end, Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

Clarify and communicate your roles and collaborate with your coworkers. Seize the opportunity to go above and beyond and showcase your abilities.

Procrastination is a big word, and it’s a big problem. One of the worst things you can do when faced with a difficult decision, or almost any endeavor in life, is to put it off.

I make lists to motivate myself. I put the most difficult jobs at the top

because once those are completed, everything else seems so much easier.

I also try to limit distractions that would interrupt my progress.

There’s an old saying that goes: It is easy to change things. It is hard to change people.

Resistance to change is perhaps the biggest threat to progress a business can face. Change, for most people, is an unnerving experience. But change is inevitable. It’s one of the only constants in life.

Negative attitudes too often become negative bottom lines. Unless we approach each day with a renewed positive outlook, we are wasting enormous potential. I firmly believe that when I am positive, it not only makes me better, but it also makes those around me better.

Survey participants noted other behaviors limiting their careers, including disrespect, short-term focus, selfishness, passive/aggressive tendencies and avoidance of risk.

Don’t despair. Here are some ways

Negative attitudes too often become negative bottom lines.

30 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

you can stop sabotaging your career: n Create a personal motivation statement. Think about where you want to go in your career and what you want to accomplish. Visualizing your goal will help you overcome your tendency to slip into any of these self-defeating practices. n Seek professional development.

Look for training programs, online resources, conferences and books that will help you learn the skills you need. n Associate with positive role models. Don’t hang out with people who share your bad habits. Seek out the company of high achievers whose attitudes and strengths you can learn to emulate. n Find a mentor. An experienced pro can help you learn how to make better decisions about your work and career.

Mackay’s Moral: Good habits are as addictive as bad habits and a lot more rewarding. n Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive.” He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com.

| SPONSORED CONTENT |

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ACCOUNTING

HUMAN RESOURCES

KLR, one of the largest accounting and business consulting firms in New England announced the promotion of Judith Ventura Enright, CPA, CGMA to Partner.

Judith has over 20 years of public accounting experience that includes managing all aspects of auditing and accounting, attestation, and other business consulting services for a mix of closely held and privately-owned clients. Judith specializes in real estate and construction companies.

KLR Executive Search Group, a full-service recruiting firm in New England, announced the hire of Rebecca Paquette as Senior Director.

She has more than 25 years of experience in a private setting as a Human Resources professional. Becca brings expertise associated with the often-unique talent needs of clients in corporate, non-profit and higher education spaces. KLR Executive Search is an affiliate company of KLR, one of the largest accounting and business consulting firms in New England.

COMMUNICATIONS

ACCOUNTING

ACCOUNTING

HEALTH CARE

Providence-based advertising, design, and branding agency, NAIL Communications, welcomes Rebecca Webber as Business Growth Director.

“We are thrilled to have an individual of Rebecca’s caliber joining our team,” said Managing Partner Jeremy Crisp.

“Her unique background and strong skill set will be an outstanding asset as we strive to work with the most exciting, innovative businesses in the market.” As Business Growth Director, Webber will lead new client initiatives for the agency. She previously worked as General Manager of the Providence CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) and as Chief of Staff for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and the state’s Executive Office of Commerce.

CBIZ, part of the nation’s 10th largest accounting and tax provider, announced the promotion of Barret Pinto, CPA, MST to Managing Director. Barret has more than 15 years of experience in public accounting and focuses on servicing privately-held businesses and publiclytraded clients in the technology, life sciences, manufacturing, distribution, and professional services industries.

He has assisted many multinational and multistate companies with tax consulting, planning and compliance matters. Barret has extensive experience with income tax accounting, as well as U.S. international tax matters.

He has a B.S. in Accounting degree from Bridgewater State University, and a Master of Science in Taxation from Bryant University.

CBIZ, part of the nation’s 10th largest accounting and tax provider, has announced the promotion of Tracy Dalpe, CPA to Managing Director. Tracy has more than 15 years of experience providing tax services to a variety of industries, including alternative asset management, private equity and credit funds, as well as high net worth individuals. Tracy’s experience includes assisting clients with federal, state and foreign tax compliance projects.

She has extensive experience working with FATCA and CRS, and assists clients in analyzing their investor base and determining filing requirements.

Additionally, Tracy assists clients with implementing standardized tax processes and procedures. She has a B.S. degree from UMass Dartmouth.

Commonwealth Care Alliance® (CCA), a national, multi-state healthcare organization with proven expertise in complex care coordination and delivery, today announced the appointment of Sesha Mudunuri as Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Mudunuri will lead and advance CCA’s core business and IT operations, including claims administration, member services, network contracting, provider relations, credentialing, and information technology. He is also responsible for the execution of corporate strategic initiatives and implementation of shared services for CCA’s multiple markets as the organization continues to expand nationally. Mudunuri has more than 30 years of operations management experience in healthcare, financial services, and technology.

ACCOUNTING KLR, one of the largest accounting and business consulting firms in New England announced the promotion of Joseph Quattrocchi, MBA, CPA, CEPA to Partner. Joe has over 10 years of experience primarily working in areas of private equity, mergers and acquisitions, individual and corporate taxation, unions, manufacturing companies, family owned business and local non-profit organizations.

Joe specializes in managing portfolio companies and consulting on M&A activity.

ACCOUNTING KLR, one of the largest accounting and business consulting firms in New England announced the promotion of Lynn Baril to Partner. Lynn has over 25 years of experience in on-site IT and technical Support. She is the Firms’ Chief Technology Officer and specializes in change management, project cost planning, risk and information systems control, product launches and strategic planning.

Announce new hires, promotions and special accomplishments to the Rhode Island business community with PBN’s People on the Move.

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IT’S PERSONAL TO SAVOR | JESSICA NORRIS GRANATIERO

Chocolaty matches I AM A CHOCOLATE FANATIC, a love I know I share with many. In the U.S., we spend approximately $22 billion on chocolate each year, according to various reports.

Here in New England, we have a plethora of amazing local chocolatiers. So if the call of chocolate rings in your ears this month, why not pair it with a wine? The marriage will heighten your senses and gastronomic experience.

As I have shared before, you always want to match the weight and sweetness of the wine with the weight and sweetness of the food.

Chocolate is the key here; determine your selection and then find a wine to pair with it.

Dark or bittersweet chocolates.

Dark chocolates, which have a higher percentage of cacao, possess a bitter, more tannic nature to them. Tannins are what give that mouth-coating, puckering sensation. You want a wine that has a higher tannin structure to it. These wines include red zinfandel or primitivo, which is the Italian version of zinfandel. They can stand up to the tannins in the dark chocolate. Vintage port, a Portuguese wine that is fortified with brandy, is also fabulous as a partner with hints

of deep, dark berry notes.

Chocolate-covered strawberries or chocolate truffles with cherry or raspberry. Brachetto d’aqui is my go-to with these chocolate choices.

Brachetto d’aqui is a light, slightly effervescent Italian red wine with sweet cherry, raspberry and strawberry notes. Brachetto is the name of the grape and produces a beautiful frothiness. A sweet lambrusco is also a good match with chocolates that are laced or filled with cherry or raspberry, such as truffles. Another slightly bubbly Italian wine, lambrusco’s red and black cherry, plum and raspberry notes dovetail well with the chocolate’s sweetness. Be careful not to select a dry lambrusco, as it will be too austere to match with chocolate.

Milk chocolate. This type of chocolate has a soft, creamy texture to it with lower tannins and less bitterness than dark chocolate. Its velvety, round mouthfeel allows it to work well with a tawny port wine, a classic pairing. The nutty, caramel and warm vanilla qualities of the tawny port marry well with the mix of cocoa butter and sugar found in milk chocolate.

Many port options won’t break the bank. But if you want to splurge, seek

BOTTLES AND BOXES: Pick the right wine and the experience of eating chocolate can be even sweeter.

COURTESY JESSICA NORRIS GRANATIERO

an aged tawny port, 20 to 30 years.

While not as classic, a fruity pinot noir is another good option. One from California, with its high concentration of fruit, works best. Avoid ones from France, which are typically

drier and have more acid.

White chocolate. The list of wines to pair with white chocolate is immense.

My top three choices are white port, demi-sec (off-dry) Champagne or sparkling wine, or a sweet riesling.

Each one offers just enough sweetness and body to create complementary flavors in the mouth. White port, unlike the tawny or vintage port, is as its name implies – white – and is made from white grapes. It is lighter in weight than a tawny or ruby port and is synergistic with white chocolate. A sweeter riesling, typically from Germany or Washington state, with a mouth-coating profile of apricot or peach notes is another option.

Lastly, an off-dry sparkling wine is one of my favorite pairings with white chocolate. The bubbles and sweetness create a pairing masterpiece. Gruet (New Mexico) makes a fabulous, everyday demi-sec sparkler, and for an enhanced experience, the Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Demi-Sec Champagne is a wonderful option. n Jessica Granatiero is the founder of The Savory Grape, a wine, beer and spirits shop in East Greenwich. She can be reached through her website, www.jessicagranatiero.com.

GUEST COLUMN | DAVID GOLDBERG

Another use for wind farms?

OFF THE SOUTHERN New England coast, developers are preparing to build the first federally approved utility-scale offshore wind farms – 74 turbines in all that could power 470,000 homes. By 2030, the Biden administration’s goal is to have 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy flowing, enough to power more than 10 million homes.

Replacing fossil fuel-based energy with clean energy such as wind power is essential to holding off the worsening effects of climate change.

But that transition isn’t happening fast enough to stop global warming.

Human activities have pumped so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that we will also have to remove carbon dioxide from the air and lock it away permanently.

Offshore wind farms are uniquely positioned to do both – and save money.

As a marine geophysicist, I have been exploring the potential for pairing wind turbines with technology that captures carbon dioxide directly from the air and stores it in natural reservoirs under the ocean. Built together, these technologies could reduce the energy costs of carbon capture and minimize the need for

onshore pipelines.

Several research groups and tech startups are testing direct air capture devices that can pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The technology works, but the early projects are expensive and energy intensive.

The systems use filters or liquid solutions that capture CO2 from air blown across them. Once the filters are full, electricity and heat are needed to release the carbon dioxide and restart the cycle.

For the process to achieve net negative emissions, the energy source must be carbon-free.

The world’s largest active direct air capture plant operating today does this by using waste heat and renewable energy. The plant, in Iceland, then pumps its captured carbon dioxide into the underlying basalt rock, where the CO2 calcifies, turning to solid mineral.

If direct air capture systems were built alongside offshore wind tur-

bines, they would have an immediate source of clean energy from excess wind power and could pipe captured carbon dioxide to storage beneath the seafloor.

Researchers are currently studying how these systems function under marine conditions.

By nature, wind energy is intermittent. Energy demand also varies.

When the wind can produce more power than is needed, production is curtailed and electricity that could be used is lost.

That unused power could instead be used to remove carbon from the air and lock it away.

For example, the state of New York’s goal is to have 9 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2035. Those 9 gigawatts would be expected to deliver 27.5 terawatt-hours of electricity per year.

Based on historical wind curtailment rates in the U.S., a surplus of 825 megawatt-hours of electrical energy

We will also have to remove carbon dioxide from the air.

32 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

per year may be expected as offshore wind farms expand to meet this goal.

Assuming direct air capture’s efficiency continues to improve and reaches commercial targets, this surplus energy could be used to capture and store upwards of 0.5 million tons of CO2 per year.

That’s if the system only used surplus energy that would have gone to waste. If it used more wind power, its carbon capture and storage potential would increase.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has projected that 100 to 1,000 gigatons of carbon dioxide will have to be removed from the atmosphere over the century to keep global warming under 2.7 degrees compared with pre-industrial levels.

New wind farms built with direct air capture could deliver renewable power to the grid and provide surplus power for carbon capture and storage, optimizing this massive investment for a direct climate benefit. But it will require planning that starts well in advance of construction. n David Goldberg is a Lamont research professor at Columbia University.

Distributed by The Associated Press.

OPINION EDITORIALS

More answers needed on health department leadership changes

SUDDEN CHANGES: Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, former director of the R.I. Department of Health, has not said why she abruptly chose to announce her resignation Jan. 13. Her secondin-command, Thomas McCarthy, announced his resignation less than a week later.

PBN PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

The public deserves to know more about the sudden change in leadership at the R.I. Department of Health and the response from Gov. Daniel J. McKee’s administration.

Is it coincidence that the department’s director, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, and second-in-command, Thomas McCarthy, announced their resignations less than a week apart last month? That seems unlikely, given the importance of their responsibilities amid an ongoing pandemic.

While Mr. McCarthy had just been elevated to deputy director in December, Ms. Alexander-Scott had led the department since 2015 and was widely recognized for her leadership throughout the pandemic.

It is damning for the McKee administration that neither has publicly explained their decision or their need to exit as swiftly as possible, though Mr. McCarthy has reportedly chosen to move to the private sector.

Gov. McKee’s response has also generated more questions than answers.

Why was it necessary to bring in a host of players from outside the department to support Dr. James McDonald’s elevation to interim director?

And is there truly so little leadership and expertise left within the department that the state needed to agree to a $46,000-per-month consulting contract for three months with Ms. Alexander-Scott?

The lack of answers has predictably led to speculation that the looming gubernatorial race fueled friction between Gov. McKee’s office and top state health officials.

And the department itself has unfortunately suffered collateral damage in the fallout. n

Home Show return is sign of normalcy The return of the long-running Rhode Island Home Show in April after a three-year hiatus will hopefully be one of many signs of normalcy in the Ocean State this year.

The show, led by the Rhode Island Builders Association, had been held since 1950 until COVID-19 forced its cancellation the last two years.

Association CEO John Marcantonio told PBN there was a real chance the show would become a permanent pandemic casualty but, as has been the case with so many other local events, committed supporters came together to bring it back.

The show will include more than 200 industry exhibitors, along with seminars and workshops at the R.I. Convention Center between April 7-10. It will also feature the Rhode Island Specialty Flower Show and its popular floral competition, among a host of other events.

Equally important for the construction industry, the show revives a partnership with local career and technical schools by showcasing displays and features from students.

“The show is now more a community tool for recruitment into the industry,” Marcantonio said. n

POLL CENTRAL EXECUTIVE POLL

PBN.COM POLL

Mandate impacts Have the latest state health mandates negatively impacted your businesses in any way?

Do you foresee your business quickly rebounding if and when the mandates are relaxed?

Yes: 71%

Yes: 43%

No: 29%

No: 29

In what ways have the mandates impacted your business? (Select multiple)

Should affected businesses go ahead with COVID-19 vaccine or testing requirements, despite a Supreme Court ruling striking down a federal mandate?JAN. 21-27 No, the court’s ruling upheld the rights of individual businesses and workers

52%

Our business has not been impacted by the mandates: 29%

Yes, that’s one of the best ways left to limit the surge of new COVID cases

37%

No, businesses can effectively limit the virus’s spread without universal mandates

6%

Some employees not willing to work: 57%

Unsure: 0%

Decreased customer confidence: 43%

When do you feel the state will relax the current mandates?

Increased costs to meet mandates: 43%

When COVID-19 cases/hospitalizations decrease: 43%

Other: 29%

By March: 43%

Loss in revenue: 14%

Unsure: 14%

Our business has not been impacted by the mandates: 14%

By the middle of spring: 0%

I don’t know

2%

Yes, but only for employees unable to work remotely

4%

THIS WEEK’S POLL: Are you concerned about the long-term effects of rising vacancy rates for downtown office space in Providence?

By summer: 0%

The Providence Business News Executive Poll is a weekly survey of 70 business leaders throughout the state, representing small and large companies in a variety of industries.

• Yes, if the city’s downtown struggles, so does the rest of the state • Yes, remote work will continue to make many large, costly buildings hard to fill • No, there will be a return to normalcy, as there was after 9/11 • No, the city and building owners have too much at stake not to ensure those offices are filled • I’m not sure To vote, go to PBN.com and follow the link on the home page

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 33

OPINION OPINION

Diversity lacking in nonprofit leadership ATINUKE ADEDIRAN GUEST COLUMN

About 87% of nonprofit CEOs in the U.S. were white in 2019, down from 90% in 2016.

Similarly, roughly 78% of nonprofit board members were white in 2019, down from 84% in 2016, according to Board Source, a nonprofit that tracks this information.

In a country where Black and Latino individuals and other people of color make up about 40% of the population, this lack of diversity among nonprofit leaders could interfere with both the work that nonprofits do and their influence in the communities they serve, for several reasons.

According to Board Source’s most recent data, just 6% of nonprofit board chairs identified as Black, 5% as Latino and 2% as Asian or Pacific Islander. Only 5% of nonprofit CEOs were Black, 3% Hispanic and 2% Asian or Pacific Islander.

This lack of diversity is a major concern for nonprofits that provide services or advocacy primarily to communities of color, and among those groups whose mission is aimed at promoting race equity.

That mismatch can undercut trust among the communities nonprofits serve, since a lack of diversity can interfere with communication and hamper efforts to address racial inequality. Diversity can also influence institutional decision-making by bringing unique perspectives that shape how the

nonprofit approaches its mission in moreinclusive ways.

Research has shown that specific racial groups perceive race relations and racial inequality differently. For example, Black people are far more likely to point to racial discrimination as an impediment to Black progress, while white people are more likely to point to family instability as a major obstacle for Black people.

The picture regarding gender equity, to be sure, is strikingly different. Board Source found that nearly 3 in 4 nonprofit CEOs in 2019 were women, as were more than half of all nonprofit board chairs and board members.

When I studied the leadership of legal nonprofits, I found that 60% of CEOs and 51% of board members were women in 2020.

Even with so many women calling the shots, however, men still hold most of the sector’s highest-paid jobs. That’s because they are more likely than women to lead the largest nonprofits, including charities.

I study one of these issues: racial homophily – the tendency of people to associate with others who share their racial and ethnic backgrounds. It affects everything in America, including nonprofits.

Americans tend to form relationships with people of similar racial and ethnic

That mismatch can undercut trust among the communities nonprofits serve.

backgrounds. That is why I believe it makes sense for nonprofit leaders to go out of their way to mentor and hire other leaders from different racial and ethnic groups, and to recruit board members outside of their networks.

They can follow diversity, equity and inclusion best practices, such as setting a goal that a nonprofit’s leaders reflect the demographics of the population the group serves and becoming aware of their own implicit bias.

I also believe it’s worth it for nonprofits to hire recruitment agencies capable of identifying prospective hires outside their networks who might be a good fit. White nonprofit leaders can become better at increasing diversity within their ranks if they endeavor to develop professional, if not personal, relationships with individuals of different races to address racial homophily.

Nonprofits should also consider limiting how long someone can serve on their boards, since shorter term limits make it possible to increase board diversity at a faster pace.

Based on my interviews with 81 nonprofit CEOs and board members between 2017 and 2020, I feel confident that the nonprofit sector can reject racial homophily and increase racial and ethnic diversity. Many of these nonprofit leaders are taking best practices into account in hiring and recruiting new executives and board members.

But there is still much work to be done. n Atinuke Adediran is an associate professor of law at Fordham University. Distributed by The Associated Press.

Digital divide isn’t easy to close STEPHANIE HOLCOMB, ANDREA HETLING, GREGORY PORUMBESCU AND VISHAL TREHAN GUEST COLUMN

In 2021, N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy announced that education officials in his state had “closed” the digital divide by ensuring that every public school student had a laptop or tablet and internet access.

“Closing the digital divide wasn’t just about meeting the challenges of remote learning,” Murphy, a Democrat, said at the time. “It’s been about ensuring every student has the tools they need to excel in a 21st-century educational environment.”

While the Murphy administration was successful in giving 358,212 students access to critical education tools they previously lacked, the digital divide remains a problem in New Jersey and throughout the nation.

A U.S. Census Bureau survey undertaken during the pandemic found that not all families with school-age kids had internet access or computers. The levels varied by race and family income.

For instance, whereas 84% of Asian families said they always had a computer on hand for educational uses, only 72% of Hispanic or Latino families did.

Families with higher incomes were more likely to have both internet access and digital devices always available for education. But even the highest-income households didn’t have 100% availability of either. And only about two-thirds of families with incomes below $35,000 did.

Different communities took different ap-

proaches to handling the digital divide.

Some states partnered with internet service providers or nonprofit organizations with a specific focus on digital access or inclusion, or other organizations with broader missions, such as local libraries.

A 2021 report from New America and Rutgers University shows that, while internet access has greatly increased since 2015, 1 in 7 children still do not have high-speed internet access at home.

One reason for this may be the focus on temporary solutions to deeper social issues.

A device and hot spot issued for one year does not permanently address problems as complex as the digital divide.

Another factor may be the ability to identify those in need. New Jersey’s survey didn’t ask families about their devices and connectivity. Instead, state officials asked local school districts and took their word without double-checking their reported results.

At the federal level, similar attempts to measure the digital divide have also come up short, overestimating the number of people who have a computer and internet service.

The Federal Communications Commission has also overstated the degree to which high-speed service is available to internet customers.

The federal infrastructure package seeks to tackle the digital divide more directly than ever before in the U.S. The law’s text

34 | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

says high-speed internet access is as essential as running water and electricity to “full participation in modern life in the United States.” The package included $2.8 billion to fund an effort to improve online accessibility for social services.

Whether the equitable delivery of digital access is achieved will depend on implementation. Studies of national broadband efforts in Australia and India show it isn’t always easy. For instance, in Australia, poorer communities got worse internet service than wealthier places. In the U.S., past broadband initiatives have not provided equitable service.

The infrastructure law has the potential to ensure that digital access becomes a higher government priority. But experience shows fully closing the digital divide will require much more. n Stephanie Holcomb is a Ph.D. student in planning and public policy at Rutgers University. Andrea Hetling is a professor of planning and public policy at Rutgers.

Gregory Porumbescu is an associate professor at the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University Newark. Vishal Trehan is a Ph.D. student in public affairs and administration at Rutgers Newark. Jessica Cruz, a Rutgers master’s student in public informatics, contributed.

Distributed by The Associated Press.

ONE LAST THING Laurie-Marie Pisciotta Mental Health Association of Rhode Island executive director Laurie-Marie Pisciotta became executive director of the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island in March 2019.

The Providence-based nonprofit promotes mental health through advocacy, education and policy development.

MAKE

no mistake: Living through a pandemic the past two years has taken a toll on our mental health.

Mental health challenges that existed prior to the pandemic have worsened for many of us. Even those without a preexisting condition have felt the effects of chronic stress. Rates of depression, anxiety, substance use and suicidal ideation have dramatically increased.

Employers and co-workers can play a part in supporting mental health in the workplace. Tending to your staff’s mental health saves money by reducing absenteeism, burnout, staff turnover and improving overall health. It’s also the right thing to do.

Leaders and co-workers can: n Encourage staff to take breaks. When tired or overwhelmed, productivity lags. n Encourage staff to exercise, eat and sleep well, and engage in leisure activities. n Provide information about the signs of a mental health crisis. These include: changes in appetite, sleep or productivity; loss of interest in things that once brought pleasure; isolation, irritability and mood swings; and talking about one’s own death. n If your co-worker seems to be struggling,

privately ask them how they are, state your observations without judgment [just the facts], and tell them you care. Offer to help find them resources or services. n Give employees extra time off to connect with loved ones, especially if working remotely.

Connectedness and loneliness have a profound effect on mental health. n Consider investing in an employee assistance program. n Invest in mental health first aid training for staff. n Call BH Link 24/7 at 401-414-LINK if

someone is in crisis.

n

Prioritize staff mental health PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | FEBRUARY 4-17, 2022 | 35

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