PBN July 21, 2023

Joseph Becton Know your worth |

High-tech exoskeleton lending hand, arms, legs

BY SARAH FRANCIS | Contributing Writer

EARLY LAST DECEMBER, Chuck Allen was enjoying a lazy afternoon at home in North Kingstown. His wife, Becky, had run out for a few minutes to do errands, and feeling tired, he stretched out to nap in his recliner.

“But when I woke up, I couldn’t talk,” he said. “I couldn’t move.”

Minutes later, Becky discovered her husband and called 911. Paramedics transported him to Rhode Island Hospital

HEALTH MATTERS

Within hours, Allen had a diagnosis: He’d had a major stroke in his sleep, which doctors attributed most likely to arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat that can send a blood clot to the brain.

A professional sailor who loves to bike and run, Allen, 55, was now paralyzed on his right side. He’d

Family-owned Tracey Gear machines parts for clients ranging from Disney to NASA

DOUG SPECIAL SECTION

PBN’s 40 Under Forty 2023 Awards

BY SAM WOOD | Wood@PBN.com

Tracey’s company churns out thousands of meticulously crafted gears, shafts, splines and sprockets each year, but don’t ask him where all those parts are going. He doesn’t always know. Many times, his clients can’t tell him. Especially if the components end up in top-secret or classified projects.

Sometimes when he’s asked the question, Tracey, the co-owner of Tracey Gear Inc., doing business as Tracey Gear & Precision Shaft in Pawtucket, will point to the sky.

“We’ve done work for NASA and Virgin Galactic, so some of them are likely out there floating in space,” Tracey said. “They won’t always tell me. But if I ask if they’re leaving Earth, I’ve gotten a couple of yeses. Some are in submarines. We’ve done some pretty neat stuff.”

Any visitor to Walt Disney World literally has gripped pieces manufactured by Tracey Gear.

(Editor’s note: This is the 11th installment in a monthly series highlighting some of the region’s unsung manufacturers that make products essential to the economy and, in many cases, our way of life.)

JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE THE 2023 HONOREES

For more information, see pages 10-11.

SHAVING IT CLOSE: Ryan Defreitas, shop foreman at Tracey Gear & Precision Shaft, uses a computerized lathe to produce a shaft that will be used in machinery to make beverage cans.

PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

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WHO’S ON THE BOARD?

BOARD MEMBERS:

Lorraine Lalli, board chairperson

Assistant dean of students

Roger Williams University

Evelyn Ranone, board vice chairperson

Community Reinvestment Act officer BayCoast Mortgage Co. LLC

Domenic Delmonico, board treasurer

Executive director of Rhode Island Medicaid Tufts Health Plan, a Point32Health Co.

ONE NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDERS

Top executive: Jennifer Hawkins, president and executive director

Year founded: 1988

Mission statement: ONE Neighborhood Builders has established itself as a community development leader in Rhode Island. It develops affordable housing and engages neighbors across Greater Providence to cultivate safe, healthy and vibrant communities.

2021 revenue: $10.4 million

Six months after the legalization of recreational cannabis in Rhode Island, the Cannabis Commission has been appointed. PBN’s 2023 Business of Cannabis Summit will feature a panel discussion with various industry experts, business executives, educators and community leaders to discuss the key obstacles the industry is facing and whether the potential revenue impact to the state, local businesses and economy will ever be realized.

VISIT PBN.com FOR DETAILS

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Rochelle Lee, board secretary Fellow

Women’s Policy Institute of the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island

Melissa “Melly” Cruz Community programs manager Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness

Kevin Essington

Founder, City Greener Strategies

Valentina Gomez

Employee services adviser Tiffany & Co.

Althea Graves

City councilor, City of Providence

Lauren Greene

Managing director New Harbor Group

Elizabeth Howlett

Director, Academic Health Collaborative University of Rhode Island

Michele B. Lederberg

Executive vice president, chief legal officer and chief administrative officer Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

Xander Marro

Co-director

Dirt Palace Public Projects

Veronica Martinez

Residential loan originator Centreville Bank

Bonnie Nickerson

Principal Nickerson Planning LLC

Barry O’Connor Jr.

Wavemaker fellowship director

R.I. Commerce Corp.

presenting sponsors

FOR STARTERS

5Q: Forrest A. Daniels

CEO, Rhode Island Free Clinic

BY CLAUDIA CHIAPPA | Contributing Writer

1

You took on the role of CEO a little over a year ago. What were some of your main priorities then and how much do you feel you have accomplished so far? Upon my arrival, I was keenly aware that the clinic would be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023; a historic milestone for the organization and the thousands of medically uninsured adult patients we serve. Ensuring our financial sustainability and continuing to focus on quality care for our patients were priorities on Day 1 and remain so.

interpreters and medical assistants; however, there has been some natural attrition of our doctors from COVID-19 and retirement. We’re operating with about 25% fewer doctors. We are aggressively working to recruit new volunteers.

4

What do you see as the biggest challenges for the clinic and other health car e organizations in the next year?

2

How many people does the clinic serve and how has that number changed over time? Our patient volume and scope of services have grown significantly. Annually, on average 2,500 patients receive comprehensive, quality medical, dental and behavioral health care. With support from Delta Dental, we were able to build out a dental suite. Since the start of this calendar year, we’ve exceeded 600 dental visits. During COVID-19, we saw an additional 2,500 residents through the COVID Clinic.

Our services are 100% free to all eligible adult patients and we don’t bill private insurers, Medicaid or Medicare. One of our ongoing challenges is our ability to raise funds for operations and long-term sustainability. An additional challenge … is our ability to recruit a new core of committed volunteer doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and registered nurses, particularly those in primary care.

5Do you have any imminent plans of further growth? What do you envision for the clinic’s future?

3

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected care for uninsur ed and low-income individuals? Drastically. Pre-COVID-19, we had a robust volunteer pool of over 600 doctors, nurse practitioners, medical scribes,

At the moment, we’re focusing our growth in the areas of staffing, technology and quality of care. As the host site and sub-awardee for the Northern Rhode Island Area Health Education Center, we will also continue to serve as a training site for aspiring health care professionals while establishing a greater presence in communities across the state educating [youths] on career opportunities in health care. n

• HEALTH CARE: Every Monday

• BANKING & FINANCE: Every Tuesday

• TECHNOLOGY & MANUFACTURING: Every other Wednesday •

& EDUCATION: Every other Wednesday

• REAL ESTATE: Every Thursday

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

DINING OUT | BRUCE NEWBURY

Treating staff as family

AS PRICES COME DOWN, producers, purveyors and consumer-facing businesses in the local restaurant scene are adopting coping mechanisms, some of which may become mainstays such as reduced hours or adjusted menus.

We as consumers are also adjusting our habits as numerous eateries are no longer open into the late evening or early morning hours. The flow of customers and rush hours has changed slightly this summer. For example, at the Blue Plate Diner in Middletown, which now opens for breakfast at 8 a.m., the morning crowd is in place by 8:15 and business is brisk right through the lunch hour.

Some of this flow may be attributed to the change in the Newport restaurant scene, with a couple of longtime eateries in the diner category shutting their doors this year. Proprietor, veteran industry observer and Blue Plate owner Ted Karousos has a dependable, loyal staff but he recognizes the state of the business this summer.

“[My place] is a couple of miles from the Newport waterfront and especially at dinnertime that makes a difference, especially for waitstaff,” he said.

The difference, he says, can turn into as much as $5 an hour in tips from downtown diners. While the employee scarcity of the past two years has eased considerably, the number of skilled workers remains somewhat thin, and restaurants are sharing staff. They always have, and it is commonplace for servers to be employed by more than one restaurant. Many are on call at several places. When one is slow due to the ebb and flow of business –rainy weather in Newport, for example – they will “pick up a shift” at another.

Most of the restaurants in our state are small businesses, owned and operated by families. The philosophy – the so-called culture of these businesses – reflects that. When one works for a family restaurant, one is family. Newer places fall right into the pattern. A brand-new food truck making its debut this summer is an example.

Cultro PVD Food Truck serves up authentic Central American creations, including arepas – a filled corn cake with seasoned barbecue chicken and cheese with siracha-type sauce on the side –street tacos and other items. Owners Leslie Polanco and Daniel Nunez cook and serve five nights a week at numerous events produced by PVD Food Trucks. Their sometime staffers include some family members. Polanco says they are more than able to handle the hungry crowds.

The same was said by Russ Spellman, who operates the standalone brick-and-mortar IncredA-Bowl Café in East Providence, in addition to his truck specializing in multicultural noodle and rice bowls with Korean, Southwest and other influences. He says in previous years some of his waitstaff would sometimes take shifts at downtown Providence restaurants, but this summer he is not having as much transient staffing. He attributes it to his family atmosphere at his brick-and-mortar location, as well as on board his truck, which appears at WaterFire and other events statewide.

As the food service business matures, particularly from an individual owner standpoint, longtime business owners are finding the next generation is stepping up. Many of the food trucks are staffed by parents working alongside their adult offspring. A leading truck, Championship Melt, reported one family member relocating to Rhode Island to be part of the family business. It is a pleasant phenomenon to observe and reassuring that the industry continues to be vibrant. n

“Dining Out With Bruce Newbury,” syndicated weekly on radio, can be heard in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont and Indiana. Contact Bruce at bruce@brucenewbury.com.

HELPING HANDS: Cultro PVD Food Truck owners Leslie Polanco, back left, and Daniel Nunez, back right, say they can handle the hungry crowds thanks to the help of their staff, which sometimes includes family members, such as Ninoska Genao, front left, and Layla Nunez, front right.

PBN PHOTO/BURCE NEWBURY

FOR STARTERS

MAN OF NOTE: After a battle with cancer, Tom Lovett decided to follow his passion and turn his hobby of building and repairing amplifiers into a business.

An amp business? Sounds rad

BY JACQUELYN VOGHEL | Voghel@PBN.com

TOM LOVETT FIRST began learning the ins and outs of amplifiers out of necessity – having picked up guitar playing at 11 years old, repairs to the instrument and equipment usually fell to him.

“Growing up, we just sort of got what we could get,” Lovett said. “And if it didn’t work, you had to fix it.”

He eventually began building his own amplifiers from scratch, and now sells a range of amplifiers at Lovett Amplification LLC, in addition to offering repair services for vintage gear.

After a few years building and selling amplifiers on Long Island, Lovett moved to Rhode Island, where he opened his first storefront last year at 561 South County Trail in Exeter.

Lovett, previously a home automation programmer, began to contemplate turning his practical hobby into a business after a cancer diagnosis and reaching remission.

In building his range of amplifiers, which are all named after dogs Lovett has owned over the years, Lovett seeks to combine classic features with modern durability – amplifiers that provide “the reliability you require as a touring musician but still the tone of a vintage guitar,” he said.

With the opening of the storefront, Lovett Amplification has also grown to offer guitars and accessories. n

This store gushes oil

Owner ensures top quality

BY JACQUELYN VOGHEL | Voghel@PBN.com

WHILE TRAVELING IN EUROPE, Maureen Botelho noted a stark contrast in quality between popular olive oils in the U.S. and those she found abroad.

Though she worked in banking at the time, Botelho “did a lot of study on food, nutrition, and started noticing the difference,” she recalled.

Motivated by this difference in quality, alongside the health benefits of olive oil, Botelho in 2014 launched Nectar de la Vida, a specialty grocery store specializing in premium olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

The difference in olive oil quality across countries isn’t a mystery, Botelho says. Countries that Botelho sources the olive oils from belong to an organization called the International Olive Council, which imposes certain quality standards on olive and table oil producers.

The U.S. is not part of this council, which Botelho said results in domestic oils that often lack in traceability and quality.

When aged past a certain date, the council no longer considers olive oil viable as a food, referring to it as “lamp oil.” At this stage, the companies can no longer sell their oils to restaurants or publicly serve them in member countries – but

OWNER: Maureen Botelho

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Premium olive oil, vinegar and specialty grocery store

they can send them to the U.S. and other countries not on the council.

At Nectar de la Vida, Botelho limits selection to premium olive oils sourced from member countries throughout the globe, as well as U.S. olive oil producers who independently meet the International Olive Council’s standards.

The store’s standards don’t mean that the selection itself is limited. At any time, Nectar de la Vida has over 100 tanks of olive oil available, ranging from classic oils to flavors such as Thai cucumber, plum, aged ginger and black garlic.

While some of the store’s customers are olive oil connoisseurs, the clientele also includes a healthy mix of customers who are new to the intricacies of olive oil and vinegar, Botelho says. Those who aren’t sure where to start can sample the store’s offerings at an expansive tasting bar.

A presence on Warren’s Main Street for nearly a decade, the business was “on a progressive climb” prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Botelho said, but remains in “the recovery stage” as it navigates

LOCATION: 460 Main St., Warren

EMPLOYEES: Two

inflation and staffing difficulties, as well as changing shopping trends.

But Botelho is encouraged by trends suggesting more people want quality, health-conscious food options.

“We’re starting to pick up that ‘foodie’ crowd, which is sort of small but intense,” she said. “I think there are plenty more people now who are thinking about their health … [and not] putting any old thing in their bodies.”

The store has also expanded in other ways, offering a selection of house-made, counter-serve food and beverages, and also selling a miscellaneous selection of food and personal care products such as hot sauces and olive oil shampoos.

The store’s large, higher-end bottles of olive oils can carry a substantial price tag, Botelho says, but she also carries 200-milliliter bottles starting at $13 and offers discounts on refills to increase accessibility to the premium products.

“We’re working very hard to keep our prices down,” Botelho said. “We’re absorbing some of that too because we want this to be a lifestyle for people. … We want people to use this for their good health,” and not just as a “trophy.” n

YEAR FOUNDED: 2014

ANNUAL SALES: WND

TASTE MASTER: Nectar de la Vida owner Maureen Botelho has more than 100 tanks of olive oil and balsamic vinegars that are of better quality than most products found in larger grocery stores.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

R.I. ‘stuck in local … mini-battles’

BY JACQUELYN VOGHEL | Voghel@PBN.com

CRANSTON MAYOR KENNETH J. HOPKINS got what he wanted after voicing his anger this month over the proposed name of a massive golfing complex under construction in that city, but the dustup highlighted long-standing sensitivities in the state and could run the risk of feeding into Rhode Island’s reputation for having an inclement business climate.

Topgolf had planned to call its newest location “Topgolf Providence” even though the multilevel sports and entertainment facility slated to employ around 400 people is under construction at 120 Sockanosset Cross Road in Cranston.

That decision quickly drew the ire of Hopkins, who fumed that he wanted it to be named either Topgolf Cranston or Topgolf Rhode Island, or the business could move. After a few days of pressure, the company capitulated, announcing on July 14 that the location would be called Topgolf Rhode Island.

While relatively short-lived – Hopkins released a statement the same day, thanking Topgolf for the name change – the conflict highlights a deep-seated mentality among many in Little Rhody.

“Rhode Islanders are loyal to their

communities and have very strong local allegiances,” said state Rep. June Speakman, D-Bristol, who is also a professor of political science at Roger Williams University. “It’s been that way since the founding of the state.” Hopkins’ concerns echoed another instance in which lawmakers debated whether Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, which officially had the state added to its name in 2021, should instead lean on Providence in its name, she says. (Also, Warwick officials have long

been miffed that many travelers are led to believe the airport is located in Providence.)

Speakman was “not at all surprised” when Cranston took issue with Topgolf’s naming, noting that a Cranston homage would help to raise the city’s own business development profile. But Topgolf’s reasoning made sense too, she says, with marketing professionals traditionally gravitating toward better-known cities such as Providence and Newport for organization names.

Mike Raia, president of Half Street Strategic Consulting LLC, a public relations and communications firm, says municipal officials needed to view the matter less parochially.

“If anything, I think calling it Topgolf Cranston would have done a disservice” to both sides, Raia said, adding that the Cranston name itself doesn’t have the brand power to optimize search engine results – key

to drawing new customers – for area Topgolf locations.

New customers are more likely to find Topgolf locations by searching the company name and the best-known nearby city, or a particular state, Raia says. And the more customers Topgolf attracts, the more meal and beverage tax revenue Cranston gains.

While Raia predicts the naming decision will have a positive impact on Topgolf and Cranston itself, will the conflict have the opposite effect on future economic development?

Probably not to any extremes, Raia says, though it may leave some companies unfamiliar with the state’s culture not repelled but left “scratching their heads.”

“I think that we get in our own way sometimes, but I don’t think that’s necessarily reflective of the broader business community,” Raia said. “I do think it’s a good opportunity for us as a state to do a little bit of soul-searching and reflection.

“Rhode Island is a place where people come for quality of life, higher education offerings, increasingly for job opportunities in different industries,” he said. “But we find ourselves getting stuck in local, parochial mini-battles that don’t matter to the broader swaths of the population.” n

‘I think that we get in our own way sometimes.’

MIKE RAIA, Half Street Strategic Consulting LLC president

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

become a medical statistic, one of more than 795,000 Americans who suffer a stroke each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After a couple of days of tests and treatment at the hospital, and with his medical crisis stabilized, Allen was ready for rehab. It was a critical move, and he opted for Lifespan Corp.’s Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center, a 28-room facility at Newpor t Hospital

Vanderbilt has a good reputation, he says. It offers patients such as him intensive rehab that includes sessions with a recently purchased EksoNR exoskeleton, otherwise known as the Ekso. It’s manufactured by California-based Ekso Bionics Holdings Inc. and is the first of its kind to be cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The Ekso helps patients with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, stroke and Parkinson’s disease. It also speeds recovery, which can be a morale booster. Vanderbilt’s medical director, Dr. Mustapha Kemal, says the Ekso was on the center’s wish list, but with a $200,000 price tag, seemed out of reach until a generous donor helped. “Everyone felt it would be a very important piece of equipment for us,” he said.

Exoskeletons may look like something from a sci-fi movie but they have real-world applications, from construction to the automotive industry.

Vanderbilt’s medical version looks like an oversized black backpack with rigid frames attached by straps to the user’s body and legs, powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The patient dons the Ekso and its motors assist with movements such as standing and walking.

‘It meets patients where they’re at.’

ERIN AZAR, Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center physical therapist

Erin Azar, a physical therapist at Vanderbilt, works with patients such as Allen. “I see people at the beginning of their journey at different points and work closely with them up to three hours a day. The treatments can last from two or three weeks, up to two months,” she said.

“I tell patients to give us two sessions. The first ensures the Ekso fits, so that can be difficult. By the second session, they typically love it.”

The Ekso adjusts to her patients, Azar says. The therapist gets the patient standing and the smart sensors detect how much the patient can move. The equipment makes up the difference and helps retrain the brain to walk.

“We set how long a step to take and how fast. We have control,” Azar said. “It meets patients where they’re at. If they’re tipping over, we make sure they don’t fall. We cue the patient to do what the Ekso wants, which is walk normally.

“I get to know my patients, “ she said. “It’s exciting to see their progress.”

Allen’s in-patient treatment lasted four weeks, a combination of the exoskeleton, as well as occupational therapy to work on upper body strength and physical therapy for lower limb movement. His speech was the first thing to come back, he says.

During his second week at Vanderbilt, he was introduced to the exoskeleton.

Therapists took measurements of his kneecaps, thighs and waist, then fit the Ekso to him.

“The first time you get into it, you’re sitting down,” he said. “It lifts you till you’re standing. It feels like you’re going to fall forward but you don’t.”

He started slowly trudging up and down the center’s cream-colored halls with a walker and his physical therapist guiding him. The Ekso detected that he was favoring his left side and adjusted. Having arrived at his appointment in a wheelchair, Allen was on his feet for the first time in many days. The next session, a week later, lasted more than an hour, with squats, more walking sessions to build up strength and more practice navigating corners.

His third two-hour session included even more squats and more walking. “You don’t feel weighted down because of the hydraulics. It’s really funky,” Allen said.

At the end of four weeks, Allen was discharged in January and is still doing outpatient occupational and physical therapy. He’s made steady progress with his speech, which is 95% back, although he still has a problem with the letter “s.”

He’s also back to work at North Sails Group LLC and racing sailboats. His crewmates keep an eye out for him while he’s on deck, he says. Doctors attribute Allen’s rapid recovery to his physical fitness and that, as a stroke victim, he’s relatively young. These days, he’s giving his new rowing machine a workout and measuring progress one step at a time. n

MAKING THE ASSIST: Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center patient Andrea Blair, right, of Cumberland, wears the EksoNR exoskeleton and moves through a walking session with the guidance of physical therapist Allissondra Dutra. COURTESY LIFESPAN CORP./BILL MURPHY

TEAM ORIENTED: Andrea Blair, seated, has multiple sclerosis and uses the EksoNR exoskeleton for therapy to manage the symptoms. Helping her to get the equipment on is Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center physical therapists Allissondra Dutra, bottom left; Erin Azar, bottom right; and Cara Genest. COURTESY LIFESPAN CORP./BILL MURPHY

147-turbine offshore wind project suffers another setback

BY SAM WOOD | Wood@PBN.com

(Editor’s note: A version of this story was first published on PBN.com on July 13.)

PROVIDENCE – A significant Massachusetts offshore energy project faces additional headwinds following a decision on July 13 by a Rhode Island state agency to not issue an approval for power transmission lines to run from the turbine farm through Ocean State waters.

SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC, formerly known as Mayflower Wind Energy LLC, wants to develop an offshore lease area in federal waters about 30 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. The company intends to build 147 giant turbines that will generate more than 2,400 megawatts of power for Massachusetts. SouthCoast is a joint venture comprised of Shell Renewables and Energy Solutions and Engie and EDP Renewables.

SouthCoast had proposed two transmission cable corridors to run from the turbines off the vineyard. One of the cable corridors would run through Rhode Island waters before making landfall in Massachusetts at Falmouth and Brayton Point, while the other corridor would be in Massachusetts waters.

SouthCoast needed approval from the R.I. Energy Facility Siting Board before it could proceed with the construction of the transmission cable corridor that would snake through Rhode Island.

It was not to be.

On July 13, the EFSB said it had reviewed the evidence, found the project to be economically unsound and issued a stay that will hold up any further consideration of SouthCoast power lines through the Ocean State until Oct. 1, 2024.

SouthCoast CEO Francis Slingsby remained optimistic that the company would weather the setback and remained committed to completing the wind farm.

“We are disappointed by today’s decision but remain confident that we will build our offshore wind project and deliver its benefits to the people and communities of Southern New England,” Slingsby said in a statement. “While this one aspect of permitting is temporarily on hold, we continue to advance our permitting with federal, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts state and local bodies.”

A spokesman for the EFSB could not be reached for comment. The R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council, which must hand up a recommendation to the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management before the cables can be installed, did not respond to multiple calls and emails requesting comment or further information.

SETBACK: SouthCoast Wind suffered another setback on July 13 when a Rhode Island state agency declined to approve the company’s plans for an offshore power line transmission corridor that would snake through Ocean State waters.

At a hearing on Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, the EFSB found that the SouthCoast Wind Farm was not financially viable because the company does not have assurances that it would be granted power purchase agreements guaranteeing revenue for the financing of the wind farm.

The agency said SouthCoast lacks a revenue stream to finance the construction of the turbines and transmission facilities to which the cables would be connected, thereby rendering moot any decision the EFSB could render now.

The EFSB said any further proceedings will be stayed until Oct. 1, 2024, or until SouthCoast successfully applies to lift the stay. That would require SouthCoast to negotiate a power purchase agreement before the date to show that it can finance any facility to which transmission lines would be connected.

The EFSB’s decision places the be leaguered project in further jeopardy. SouthCoast’s troubles underscore the difficulties of launching a robust offshore green power sector in the United States.

In June, SouthCoast notified the EFSB that it planned to terminate its Massachusetts power purchase agreements. In a hearing in Warwick, Slingsby maintained that the power purchase agreement energy contracts – which the company signed with utility companies in 2019 and 2022 and had agreed to honor as recently as May – needed to be terminated due to “unforeseen economic challenges.”

Under grilling by R.I. Public Utili ties Commission Chair Ronald Ger watowski, Slingsby suggested that the project’s backers were having second thoughts, saying many shareholders were not able to achieve the returns to make the investment attractive. n

AP PHOTO/DAVID GOLDMAN

FOR STARTERS | WHAT’S HAPPENING

Chatting over coffee

ONE SOUTHCOAST CHAMBER of Commerce will hold a Coffee with the Chamber event, hosted by New Bedford Harbor Hotel. Chamber CEO Michael O’Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer Rick Kidder and Chamber staff will discuss upcoming local events and answer any questions.

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 9-10 A.M. Free New Bedford Harbor Hotel, 222 Union St., New Bedford.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/ypnfm9tj

Fore!

THE GREATER NEWPORT Chamber of Commerce will hold its Chamber Golf Club networking event, hosted by Green Valley Country Club. Business professionals and entrepreneurs will have the chance to build connections with one another over a round of golf. Registration in advance is required.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, NOON TO 2 P.M. $55/members; $65/nonmembers Green Valley Country Club, 371 Union St., Portsmouth.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/4e2e6fpy

HELP WANTED: A community job fair will be held on Aug. 10 at the Rhode Island College Workforce Development Hub in Central Falls.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Local chambers, RIC to host community job fair Aug. 10

THE NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND Chamber of Commerce, along with the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the city of Central Falls and Rhode Island College, will hold a community job fair. Various employers from multiple industries, including banking, customer service, health care and manufacturing, will be on hand to meet potential job candidates seeking employment.

THURSDAY, AUG. 10, 3-5 P.M. Free Rhode Island College Workforce Development Hub, 934 Dexter St., Central Falls.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/687kpuz8

What’s on tap?

THE JOHN H. CHAFEE Center for International Business will hold a virtual workshop titled “The Global Potential for American Craft Beer.” Attendees will listen to discussions on financing and logistics considerations that come into play when exporting craft beer. Attendees will learn the necessary steps to successfully execute an international order, as well as strategies for leveraging relationships with freight forwarders, importers and small-business lenders.

TUESDAY, JULY 25, NOON. Free Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/ppfem843

Tasty barbecue

THE TRI-TOWN CHAMBER of Commerce will hold its ninth annual Summer Business BBQ. The event will invite people who represent businesses within the community. All businesses are invited to attend, whether they are Chamber members or not. Voluntary donations of school supplies will be accepted at the door.

Interested in having your businessrelated event included in What’s Happening? Contact PBN Researcher James Bessette at (401) 680-4838 or Research@PBN.com.

PBN

PHOTO/JAMES BESSETTE

THURSDAY, JULY 27, 4:30-7 P.M. Free Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce, 280 School St., Building L100, Mansfield.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/57ajyrd3

Out for a run

THE NARRAGANSETT LIONS

CLUB will hold its 51st annual Blessing of the Fleet Race/Walk. The 10mile run/walk will take participants around town. The event will raise funds to help the Lions Club support local charities. Registration is online only.

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 5 P.M. $50 in advance/$60 day of the event

Narragansett Pier Middle School, 235 South Pier Road, Narragansett.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/345d4bxp

Empowering women

THE CENTER FOR WOMEN & Enterprise will hold a seminar titled “EmpowerHerTech: Bridging the Digital Divide for Women Entrepreneurs.” The computer literacy session will help attendees gain skills and tools to succeed in the digital age, while receiving personalized guidance and insights tailored to one’s business needs. This session is

designed for women at all levels of computer and tech knowledge, ensuring everyone benefits and thrives in their digital journey.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2, 9:30-11:30 A.M.

$50

Center for Women & Enterprise, 132 George M. Cohan Blvd., Providence.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/3hyx75e3

Talking about offshore wind

THE GREATER NEWPORT Chamber of Commerce will hold a panel discussion on offshore wind as part of its “The Blue & You” speaker series. The Chamber will host industry experts to discuss an in-depth look at offshore wind projects, technology and industry participation opportunities.

THURSDAY, AUG. 3, 8:30-10 A.M. Free Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway, Newport.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/4x5e6bfr

Morning brew

THE SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAND Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly First Friday Coffee networking event, hosted by Victoria Comfort Photography. The event will bring

WHAT’S HAPPENING | FOR STARTERS

together various business professionals in a relaxed setting. Coffee will be served.

FRIDAY, AUG. 4, 8-9 A.M. Free Victoria Comfort Photography, 567 South County Trail, Suite 305, Exeter.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/bdcpv2kw

Seeking feedback

THE GREATER PROVIDENCE Chamber of Commerce will hold a workshop titled “How to Create a Culture of Empowering Feedback in the Workplace” as part of its Lunch & Learn series, hosted by Sprout CoWorking. In this workshop, attendees will learn the guidelines necessary to provide feedback and learn how to receive it. Donna Rustigan Mac, who heads executive leadership communication and workforce development at iVoice Communication, will lead the discussion.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9, 11:30 A.M. TO 1 P.M. Free/members; $15/nonmembers

Sprout CoWorking, 166 Valley St., Building 6M, Suite 103, Providence.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/4wmsae2w

Building new relationships

THE NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND

Chamber of Commerce will hold a networking pop-up event, hosted by Providence Brewing Co. The event will bring together local business professionals and entrepreneurs to build connections with one another in a relaxed setting.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9, 5-7 P.M. $20/members; $30/nonmembers Providence Brewing Co., 10 Sims Ave., Unit 110, Providence.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/3dc5c8ay

To

UPCOMING PBN EVENT: The 2023 Healthiest Employers Awards Program will be held on Thursday, Aug. 10, from 9-11 a.m. at the Providence Marriott. For more information, visit PBN.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Advertising@PBN.com.

MAKERS

TRACEY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“We made the lap bars for the rollercoasters –Space Mountain and Peter Pan’s Flight – they’re not buried in the machinery. You sit down in the ride and hold them tight. Our guys go down to Orlando, can see them in use, and they can honestly say, ‘We made that!’ ”

Tracey Gear’s parts also are used in the bottling industry, aircraft carriers, oil field equipment, elevators and undersea applications. Locally, Tracey has created pieces for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport.

“My business model is low quantity, high quality. It’s how we stay competitive. An average lot size is only eight to 10 parts,” he said. “Overseas shops can’t deliver the quality we can supply and it’s not cost effective for an American manufacturer to go overseas for a low-quantity run.”

Tracey Gear, located in a 35,000-square-foot factory on the edge of the Darlington neighborhood, employs 29 people. Six are office workers, the rest are skilled craftsmen on the factory floor.

Visitors are hit by the acrid scent of burning oil, the result of using heavy oil as lubrication during the process of machining the parts. It’s the aroma of industry.

“I’m kind of immune to it,” Tracey said. “It’s funny, my kids always say they smell it on me when I come home.”

The lubricating oil is used in the gear room, where it’s also used to dissipate the heat as metals rub against each other as operators and machinists cut gears. Synthetic oils, with a biting aroma of their own, are used to cool and lubricate pieces as they’re turned on computer-controlled lathes and finishing grinders.

“It can get a little loud in here,” said Ryan Defreitas, 28, who has risen from intern to foreman in 11 years. “We have collectors hung on the ceiling that collect smoke, fumes and other bad things you would otherwise breathe in.”

Defrietas was a student at William H. Davies Jr. Career & Technical High School in Lincoln when he began his career at Tracey Gear. Manufacturing was in his blood. His father had served as a supervisor for a large machine shop in New Bedford. So, Defreitas saw Tracey Gear as a natural fit.

“As an apprentice, they bumped me around to every department to learn the ropes,” Defreitas said. “I worked on the turning machines, then to the lathe department where I became a supervisor, and now I’m a shop supervisor.”

He says he couldn’t have imagined spending his entire career with one company when he first stepped into the York Avenue factory.

“But now I hope to stick around for a long time,” Defreitas said. “It’s a real nice place to work and the Traceys are great people. I make pretty good money, so I definitely can’t complain.”

SIMPLE START

Tracey Gear was founded in 1945 by Doug’s grandfather, Leo Tracey. He set up shop in the garage at his house.

When Leo first launched the business, all he did was cut gears, Doug Tracey said. Leo Tracey bought a “hobber,” a milling machine that cuts the teeth into gears. Then he hit the road, soliciting business from the nearby textile mills by driving door to door to deal with the mill foremen.

Over time, Tracey Gear moved out of the

garage and expanded to take on an array of complicated jobs. Leo Tracey added more-sophisticated machinery and eventually brought on his three sons to help run the company.

In 1972, Leo Tracey retired and sold the company to his sons Mike, Rick and Steve, Doug Tracey’s father.

Doug Tracey now co-owns the business with his uncles. His father died in 2012. The younger Tracey started on the very bottom. Through high school and college, he labored on the shop floor doing deburring, shipping, cleaning and maintenance. Eventually, some of the craftsmen trained him to operate some of the machinery.

“I was a decent operator, but never a true machinist,” Doug Tracey said. “There’s a big jump between the two.”

Operators possess an eye for detail, a solid work ethic and a good understanding of how the different measuring instruments work. “And that’s the bare bones,” he said.

“A machinist is at a whole different level,” he said. “They have to understand how fast they can run the machine, understand the tooling, the cycle of operations, how to attack a job. They deserve a ton of respect.”

He almost left the family business for a career

in software and finance.

“After college, I did my own thing for 15 years,” he said. He first earned a degree in civil engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Then he earned an MBA at the University of Southern California and moved into finance.

He enjoyed the projects he worked on for big corporations – computer giant Gateway Inc. and the British bank, HSBC, were two of his former employers – but didn’t like the bureaucratic red tape and never felt adequately rewarded.

In 2006, he returned to Pawtucket with a plan to eventually take the reins of the family business. His uncles are involved in the company, but they plan to sell their share of the business to the younger Tracey later this year.

It’s been a deeply rewarding decision, Doug Tracey says.

“The hard work all comes back to me here,” he said. “At HSBC, I netted the company tens of millions, and, while I got a nice bonus, it didn’t come close to reflecting what I saved them.”

He doesn’t sound sour. He’s proud of what Tracey Gear has achieved.

“I’m building the company up for the future and my kids,” he said.

SAVVY WORKERS

As of now, Doug Tracey is involved in every facet of the business. He even recruits interns for possible careers in machining. “That’s because my biggest challenge isn’t finding enough work,” Tracey said. “It’s finding employees to do the work.”

When he was coming up through high school in the 1980s, vocational and technical schools –and the careers those schools prepared students for – were looked down on as grimy, low-paying and unsophisticated.

“The jobs had a stigma and weren’t looked on favorably. Many students ended up going to col-

FOR GOOD MEASURE: Machinist Dennis Sullivan checks his calculation on an order of spur gears Tracey Gear has just made for a food processing company. PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

‘I hope to stick around for a long time.’

RYAN DEFREITAS, Tracey Gear Inc. foreman

lege when they didn’t really want to go,” Tracey said. “College was forced on them. But electricians, plumbers and machinists are killing it now. These are viable careers.”

Tracey ensures his operators and machinists get advanced training on the new computerized devices. The company has added updated technology such as the programmable lathes and milling machines, even though “the old ones produce great quality parts,” he said.

A lot has changed since Tracey started working on the floor. Craftsmen now program new computer numerically controlled machines rather than manually setting them up.

“The staff uses their heads as much as they use their bodies,” he said. “It’s completely different than 25 years ago. It’s not a dirty profession. The new kids have to be computer savvy and have mechanical aptitudes.”

Tracey picks two seniors each year from Davies Career & Technical High School, where he serves on the board of directors, for yearlong internships that double as extended tryouts.

Tracey watches closely to see who will mesh with the workplace culture.

“You can tell pretty quick if someone has the aptitude to learn; we look for a willingness to work,” he said. “You’d be surprised at how many that immediately weeds out.”

If he sees potential, he hires them and gives them all the training they will need.

At the high school level, they are introduced to lathe work and milling. But broaching, grinding and gear cutting are skills not normally taught in school.

“Those skills are all taught by the employees here,” he said.

Interns start with small jobs. Tracey has an eye for talent.

“Some are only good enough to be operators, which is great because we really need operators,” he said. “But once in a while, you’ll spot someone

who [can] become a talented machinist.”

The work pays well enough so that folks such as Defreitas, the shop foreman, are willing to stay on for their entire careers, Tracey says. Many employees were hired and never left.

“Some guys on the floor are making very good money, and considering they didn’t go to college, they’re way ahead of me when I was in my 20s,” Tracey said. “They’ll have four years of work experience and no college debt.”

‘NO CATALOG’

Tracey says the craftsmen work primarily with carbon and alloy steels. They also fashion parts out of bronze, aluminum, stainless steel and, yes, plastic.

“We’ll often put a plastic gear in a gear train,” he said. “Because if something is binding or failing, the plastic will fail first and alert the owner before a bigger problem emerges.”

The gears that Tracey produces are as small as an inch in diameter. Others go up to 36 inches, the shafts as small as half an inch but can run as long as 10 feet.

The pieces are for a wide range of clients and for a wide range of uses.

“Aside from Disney and our military work, most people would never have heard of our customers,” Tracey said. “We also do a lot of replacement parts. Even the parts [we] make for the rides at the Disney parks, they don’t necessarily tell me where they’re going.”

One thing Tracey does know: It is all custom work.

“We make all types of different machine parts,” he said. “There’s no catalog, no product line here.” n

‘My business model is low quantity, high quality. It’s how we stay competitive.’

DOUG TRACEY, Tracey Gear Inc. co-owner

THE RIGHT QUALITY? Employee Wayne Hillier, above left, uses a coordinate measurement machine to inspect the bore of a finished worm gear for a military application.

Above right, James Thomas packages nylon spur gears for shipment to a customer.

PBN PHOTOS/TRACY JENKINS

IN THE FAMILY: Doug Tracey is the grandson of the founder of Tracey Gear & Precision Shaft in Pawtucket. Now he co-owns the company with his two uncles.

PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

GOVERNMENT

Providence tries to solve city’s lead pipe problem

BY MICHAEL PHILLIS | The Associated Press

PRANDY TAVAREZ AND HIS WIFE were expecting a baby when they bought a four-bedroom house in a well-kept neighborhood of centuryold homes in Providence. They got to work making it theirs, ripping off wallpaper, upgrading the electrical and replacing windows coated in paint that contained lead, a potent neurotoxin that can damage brain development in children.

That wasn’t the only lead. The pipe carrying water to their home was made of it, too. Providence’s tap water had had dangerous lead levels for years. So it wasn’t surprising in 2008 when a road crew came through and dug up the street to take out the pipe. Then they left part of it in the ground.

“They put on a Band-Aid,” Tavarez said.

Around the country, utilities have been leaving lead pipe in the ground even when it is easiest to remove during water main work. Worse, they have been removing sections, disturbing the pipe and leaving the rest, which can spike lead levels, causing harm that will last a lifetime, an investigation by The Associated Press has found.

Leaving lead pipe behind should have stopped a long time ago, said Yanna Lambrinidou, a medical anthropologist at Virginia Tech and co-founder of the Campaign for Lead Free Water. The metal is especially dangerous for young children. It can lower IQ and deprive kids of problem-solving skills. The Environmental Protection Agency says no amount is safe for kids. Utilities, she said, have tried to reduce costs and dodge responsibility.

The sections that remain can poison tap water until they’re removed. The practice is also more expensive in the long run, since crews presumably will have to return someday.

Many cities say they can leave the pipes and use chemical treatment instead. But that isn’t foolproof, and the Biden administration has said it wants all 9.2 million lead pipes in the U.S. replaced. Even some cities that are committed to taking out lead pipes say they have too few resources and local rules can get in the way.

But Buffalo, N.Y., Lincoln, Neb., and even Detroit show it didn’t have to be this way. Even though Detroit had recently filed for bankruptcy protection, in 2018 leaders there decided that when work is done on water mains, they would replace all lead pipes.

But decades after the dangers of lead became clear, other cities have made different decisions and have been leaving lead pipes in the ground. Experts say it has likely happened hundreds of thousands of times. It has occurred in Providence, Chicago and other places.

Recently, more money and attention to the danger

of lead pipes has prompted some to stop the practice. Still, it remains legal.

The EPA first set limits on lead in drinking water in 1991, requiring utilities, with some exceptions, to replace entire lengths of lead pipe when water exceeded those limits.

But the American Water Works Association, a group that represents utilities, challenged that replacement requirement, saying it didn’t give the public enough chance to weigh in. A federal appeals court in 1994 agreed.

The EPA then “completely caved,” and didn’t reissue the provision, said Erik Olson, an attorney on the case with the Natural Resources Defense Council, leaving only partial replacements required when lead levels are high.

That would prove fateful. In 2005, the Providence Water Supply Board made a change to its chemical treatment, causing lead levels to jump above EPA limits.

That triggered the removal requirement, but not for whole pipes. And that raises an issue that continues to plague the whole country: divided ownership of lead pipes. In many cities such as Providence, the utility owns part of the pipe that runs to the house, and the homeowner owns the rest.

Providence took the position that it would remove only the city-owned pipe and the homeowner could pay to remove the rest. But at a cost of thousands of dollars, most

didn’t.

By 2011, however, EPA scientists were weighing in, saying this method doesn’t lower lead.

Yet despite the fact that partial replacement did not work, local officials continued the practice when performing work on water mains, removing all only if the homeowner paid.

Activists said Providence Water created a two-tiered system: one for people who could afford safe water and one for those who couldn’t.

Removing lead pipes isn’t just the responsibility of the utility, but also individuals and government, said Steve Via, director of government relations at the AWWA. He said divided ownership of lead pipes is “still a barrier to full lead service line replacement today.” In many communities, local rules forbid spending money to upgrade private property, which can block the work, Via said.

Providence Water General Manager Ricky Caruolo said lead pipe replacements couldn’t be done without raising rates and he didn’t think it was his decision to force ratepayers to bear the cost of replacing lead pipes that are, in the end, privately owned. Most people don’t have a lead pipe, he said, so they wouldn’t benefit.

2021 held some good news for Providence. The city’s results improved and are now within federal limits, much safer for this newest generation of kids.

“The fact of the matter is, we are in compliance,” he said. “We must be doing something right.”

Providence Water’s policy also changed last year, helped by an influx of federal funds. Officials said when they do water main work now, they replace the whole pipe and for free, nearly always. The General Assembly recently passed a bill to remove all lead pipes within 10 years. n

LITTLE DIG: Richie Nero, left, of Boyle & Fogarty Construction Co., works on removing an old lead residential water supply line outside a home where service was getting upgraded to copper on June 29 in Providence. Health and environmental groups have been fighting for lead-free water to drink in Providence for at least a decade.

AP PHOTO/CHARLES KRUPA

‘The fact of the matter is, we are in compliance.’

RICKY CARUOLO, Providence Water Supply Board general manager

KIM BELENGER

Lead System Systems Engineer (LSE) for the Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System-Expeditionary (SURTASS-E)

NUWC Division Newport

JEFFREY CASCIONE

SVP Director of Commercial Banking

Navigant Credit Union

STEPHEN COLELLA

Director, Job Club RI

STACIE COLLIER

Partner/Chief Talent Officer, Nixon Peabody

CHRISTIAN COWAN

Executive Director, URI Research Foundation

MARCELINO DE SANTIAGO

President & COO, Hope Global

DEAN de TONNANCOURT

Broker Owner, CEO HomeSmart Professionals Real Estate

SARAH DINKLAGE

Chief Executive Officer Rhode Island Student Assistance

Services/Coastline EAP

CRISTA DURAND

President/Chief Executive Officer Newport Hospital

DEBORAH FAULKNER

President, Faulkner Consulting Group

CHRISTINE GADBOIS

CEO, CareLink

CHRISTOPHER GRAHAM

Providence Co-Office Managing Partner Locke Lord LLP

JEAN HARRINGTON

Partner/Chair of Corp. Dept.

Duffy & Sweeney, LTD.

CELEBRATE WITH US

August

5:30pm -

Founder/CEO, Justice Assistance

JAMES M. LEHANE, III

President/CEO, Newport Mental Health

CAROL MALYSZ

Executive Director, RI Bio

JAMES MCASSEY

President, Brave River Solutions, Inc.

MARGUERITE MCLAUGHLIN

Director of Education & Transformation Healthcentric Advisors

LELAND MERRILL

EVP/Chief Lending Officer Centreville Bank

ROSS NELSON Market Vice President

Cox Communications

MARY O’SULLIVAN

Owner Encore Executive Coaching

ANTHONY PELLEGRINO

Head of Hotels, Ash - The Dean Hotel

JOSEPH PERRONI

President and Chief Executive Officer

Delta Dental of Rhode Island

MARIANNE RAIMONDO

Dean, School of Business Rhode Island College

VIRGINIA ROBERTS

Senior Managing Director and Deputy Chief Credit Officer Webster Bank

BARBARA WOLFE

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

The University of Rhode Island

KARINA WOOD

Executive Director

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses at CCRI

To

Diversity advocates take aim at legacy admissions

BY JACQUELYN VOGHEL | Voghel@PBN.com

Viet Nguyen, a Brown University alumnus and founder of social impact organization EdMobilizer, the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ban on affirmative action presents “a terrifying time to think about the future of diversity and inclusion.”

But in the fallout of the decision, Nguyen, who graduated from Brown in 2017, sees an opportunity to abolish a different practice known to drive down diversity at elite institutions: legacy admissions, or the preference universities give to family of alumni when considering applications.

“The momentum [to end legacy admissions] has been moving in a direction that I think a few years ago, we would not have expected,” said Nguyen, whose organization focuses on increasing admission rates and overall success for first-generation college students.

Now Nguyen expects more colleges and universities will begin to phase out legacy admissions, once “a system so entrenched in our current routine that pushing against that and getting universities to change their policies seems unfathomable.”

SPEAKING OUT: Zainabou Thiam, center, a student at the MET School in Providence, speaks at a rally at Brown University on July 8 organized by the Black Lives Matter Rhode Island political action committee. The rally sought to end legacy admissions and support diversity and equity in universities.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Nguyen isn’t alone in this push against the practice as higher education officials, now under an increased spotlight, question how they’ll account for the loss of affirmative action measures that they say have assisted them in building or maintaining diversity among students.

Since the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling in June, the universities most known for legacy admissions, such as the Ivy League institutions, haven’t announced changes to this policy. Locally, that includes Brown University.

Following the recent Supreme Court ruling, Brown President Christina H. Paxson wrote in a letter to students that Brown is “conducting a thorough legal review” of the court’s decision, while remaining “firmly committed to advancing the diversity that is central to achieving the highest standards of academic excellence and preparing our students to grow and lead in a complex world.”

But the university declined to comment on its use of legacy admissions.

In response to an inquiry, Brown spokesperson Brian Clark directed PBN to a 2018 opinion piece penned by Dean of Students Logan Powell and published in the Brown Daily Herald, the university’s student newspaper, regarding its stance on legacy admissions.

In that piece, Powell said the university considers legacy status “only after we have established the foundation of ... essential elements” such as academic strength, intellectual curiosity, extracurricular activities

and college essays.

“We take a vast range of considerations into account, many of which receive more attention than whether or not a student’s parents attended Brown,” Powell wrote.

He goes on to note, “as part of our commitment to building community at Brown, we pay special attention to children of Brown employees, whether that be a faculty member, a member of our grounds staff, or a library employee.”

Elsewhere in Rhode Island, the Rhode Island School of Design, which is highly selective and most recently reported a 19% acceptance rate, says it does not consider legacy status in determining who is admitted to the school.

In a statement on the college’s response to the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling, spokesperson Danielle Mancuso said that the institution “will take time in the weeks ahead to review and interpret what the U.S. Supreme Court decision means for RISD, following the law in accordance with the recent court ruling while working to ensure an admission process that takes into consideration the full potential of prospective students.

“Throughout this process, we will continue to hold firm to our commitment of fostering an inclusive and diverse community,” Mancuso said.

Since the Supreme Court ruling, Brown has faced renewed challenges to this practice: On July 8, members of the Black Lives Matter Rhode Island political action committee held a rally on the Brown campus to demand “an end to legacy admissions” while advocating for diversity and equity in universities.

And in Boston, a group called Lawyers for Civil Rights earlier this month filed a lawsuit in federal court against Harvard University, alleging that its usage of legacy admissions is discriminatory.

Diana Hassel, a professor at the Roger Williams University School of Law, says she doesn’t have a prediction for which side will win that lawsuit. But the complaint and heightened conversation around legacy admissions are exposing a long-standing reality in university admissions, she said.

“Even apart from the lawsuit … a huge percentage of admissions to elite schools are not based on those criteria of SATs and GPAs,” Hassel said. “They’re based on, did your grandfather go here? Is your father on the faculty? Is your mother a donor?”

Eliminating legacy admissions isn’t the only “low hanging fruit” solution that colleges and universities can take to improve diversity and inclusion, Nguyen said, noting that preference given to family of faculty members and donors has a similar role in the admissions process. n

‘The momentum has been moving in a direction that ... we would not have expected.’

VIET NGUYEN, EdMobilizer founder

Charters fight to grow as demand increases

BY CHRISTOPHER ALLEN | Allen@PBN.com

MOST PARENTS DON’T WANT to gamble with their children’s education. But for some, to provide what they believe is the right choice for their kids, they must play the lottery.

This year, more than 25,000 parents entered their children’s names for approximately 2,300 charter school slots in Rhode Island. Many children have been on waiting lists for years. Last year, there were 10 applications for every charter school seat in the state, according to charter school advocates.

Some parents, such as Janie Segui Rodriguez, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Stop the Wait RI, take advantage of a provision that allows employees of charter schools to enroll their children. Rodriguez worked for Achievement First Rhode Island Inc., a charter school based in Providence.

Stop the Wait RI was created to oppose state legislation in 2021 that would have set a three-year moratorium on creating new charter schools. Rodriguez assembled 400 parents who launched a campaign against the measure, which included testifying before state lawmakers. The bill

passed the Senate but did not get House approval.

Still, the battle over school choice continues to rage as charter school advocates argue that the state’s 22 public charter schools aren’t enough to meet the demand, while those opposed to charter schools insist that they are eroding traditional public schools and putting school districts under heavy financial strain.

Charter school supporters have scored some recent victories: In December, the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education gave the go-ahead for the expansion of two existing charter schools, RISE Prep Mayoral Academy in Woonsocket and Segue Institute for Learning in Central Falls.

RISE Prep wants to increase from 430 students in kindergarten to seventh grade to 1,450 students in kindergarten to eighth grade in two schools. Segue, which has 360 students from

kindergarten to eighth grade, is looking to add a high school and enroll 760 students.

And last month, the Providence City Council voted 8-5 to allow Mayor Brett P. Smiley to enter a 25-year lease with Achievement First, which is based in the former Charles N. Fortes Elementary School.

Decisions that allow the growth of charter schools are unsettling to people such as Cumberland Town Councilwoman Lisa Beaulieu.

Because funding for the per-pupil expenditure follows the student from his or her original district to the charter school, Beaulieu says school choice has proved expensive for mu-

nicipalities.

In the case of Cumberland, the town has gone from paying around $275,000 in charter school tuition to $4 million in recent years as the number of Cumberland children attending charter schools has increased.

Meanwhile, she believes increases to the town’s school department budget have been too small. “It really did have a financial impact on the district,” said Beaulieu, who served on the Cumberland School Committee from 2006-2016. “What we realized, as the money walked away, [is] the dollars to the district changed pretty dramatically.”

‘Now is not the time to shy away from the investments.’

JORGE O. ELORZA, Democrats for Education Reform CEO

|

&

FOCUS | COLLEGES &

(ranked by number of full-time undergraduates, 2022-2023 academic year)

(ranked by number of full-time undergraduates, 2022-2023 academic year)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

At the same time, polls indicate that public sentiment on charter schools has remained consistent, especially among racial minorities, who often bear the brunt of failing schools and poorer buildings. More than 70% of Black and Latino voters hold favorable views of public charter schools, according to Democrats for Education Reform, the organization now led by former Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza.

A longtime supporter of school choice, Elorza said in a statement that elected officials cannot afford to ignore voters and parents who want more options. He pointed to a recent study by Stanford University that showed students in Rhode Island charters gain three additional months’ worth of reading and math instruction per year.

“There is so much more public officials can and should be doing to embrace charters – whether it’s ensuring equitable funding allocations, authorizing additional charters, allowing charter schools to use school buildings, or simply elevating public charters as a high-quality option for parents and families,” Elorza said. “Now is not the time to shy away from the investments that we know are putting students on a path to success.”

Rodriguez became a charter school advocate when her youngest daughter struggled in Pawtucket schools and she was unhappy with how administrators were addressing the problem.

“It feels like you are drowning and there is nowhere to go,” she said. “I just kept getting a lot of pushback. It didn’t seem like we were partners.”

After taking a job at Achievement First, Rodriguez enrolled her daughter in the fourth grade. The girl’s academic performance improved almost immediately, Rodriguez says.

Keith Oliveira, former executive director of the Rhode Island League of Charter Schools, has been involved in public education for close to

three decades. He served for years as chair of the Providence School Board and held roles at the R.I. Department of Education

Now the executive director of Times Squared Academy, Oliveira says the debate is often mischaracterized as a battle between public education advocates and charter school organizations, leaving out the students and parents who only want adequate educational opportunities.

“We should approach it through the lenses of who we are serving ... families and parents,” he said. “Whatever model [is proven to work],” he said. “Parents can decide for themselves what’s best for their kids.

“There is huge demand from parents,” he said. “Which is a testament to the quality of charter schools. Parents understand that and realize that. It’s not ideological. It’s about quality.” n 2023

Keep up with PBN’s 2023 roundup of the leaders making a difference throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

At companies across the region, notable leaders are running businesses, navigating company restructuring, serving on boards, and investing in growth. The notable individuals profiled in these categories are exemplary examples of the work being done here in our market.

SEPTEMBER 1

NOTABLE WOMEN IN INSURANCE

Deadline August 23

OCTOBER 13

NOTABLE WOMEN IN LAW

Deadline October 4

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BACKING CHARTERS: Janie Segui Rodriguez founded the nonprofit Stop the Wait RI to oppose legislation in 2021 that would have put a hold on opening new charter schools for three years. The legislation failed to pass.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

•

Rhode

toWork Work

RE-IMAGINING the workforce of today & IDENTIFYING solutions for tomorrow.

This new PBN annual publication, focusing on workforce development and career opportunities in our region, will serve as a resource for employers and job seekers, targeting Rhode Island’s emerging workforce.

Rhode to Work will feature information about careers in seven essential industries in our area.

15,000 COPIES TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO:

• PBN’s audience

• Educational and career centers

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• Other relevant outlets

Rhode to Work should be a part of your marketing plan if:

• You want to increase your brand exposure and be part of workforce development in Rhode Island.

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PUBLICATION DATE: September 29, 2023 SPACE RESERVATION: August 25, 2023

BY

ENGINEERING

structure support.

ChatGPT professed that trained professionals are still necessary.

“It’s worth noting that while AI can automate certain tasks and assist engineers, human expertise, creativity and critical thinking will continue to be essential in engineering fields,” ChatGPT said. “Engineers will be responsible for designing AI systems.”

Miguel Bessa, an associate professor of engineering at Brown University, is launching a course this fall focusing on data-driven design and analysis of structures and materials. The class will examine how AI applications can solve engineering problems.

“Engineers who know machinelearning methods will be at a significant advantage in the job market,” Bessa said. “[It will be] akin to what happened in the recent past to engineers who knew how to code.”

He expects engineers to start shifting toward a more data-driven approach to decision-making, analysis and design. Some disciplines already have embraced machine learning and AI, such as automotive engineering due to the growth of autonomous driving, he says.

“An even greater impact might happen in robotics due to our quest to engineer intelligent artificial agents, but this may occur over a longer time span,” Bessa said.

Yan Sun leads the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Rhode Island. Initially, she was reluctant to fully adopt AI in her classes.

will artificial intelligence impact professional engineers? Will it improve their lives or put them out of work?

Any major AI chatbot can provide answers to those questions, spitting out a list of bland bullet points. But the answers reflect a lack of detail and an ignorance of how engineering currently operates in the real world.

Others in the field have a more nuanced view, with engineers still figuring out where and how machine learning will be applied.

“We view it as just another tool,” said Dorothy Davison, executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Rhode Island

She’s confident the technology will not put engineers out of work.

“We used to have drafters do all the drawing, then CAD [computer-aided design] came about. People freaked out,” Davison said. “But it wasn’t the end. Those who learned CAD used it to draft more efficiently.”

If anything, demand may be greater in the future, she says.

“Right now, we have a real workforce issue. A huge number of engineers are aging, and we don’t have nearly enough

people going into civil, structural and mechanical engineering. AI may make some jobs obsolescent. But if you have an engineering degree, there will always be a place for you.”

AI technology has been used for numerous engineering tasks, including assisting with computer coding, generating data sets and designing electronic circuits. With many AI platforms at their early stages of development, there is some anxiety about where things might be headed.

ChatGPT, an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, has answers for everything, including questions about the future of AI in engineering.

“AI can automate routine and timeconsuming tasks, enabling engineers to focus on more-complex and strategic activities,” ChatGPT responded when queried. “This enhances productivity, allowing professionals to tackle morechallenging problems and deliver higherquality results.”

Asked where AI will have the most impact, ChatGPT honed in on a few particulars: design optimization, predictive maintenance, process automation, data analysis and decision support, and managing and optimizing smart infra-

NO WORRIES: Dorothy Davison, executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Rhode Island, says artificial intelligence will allow engineers to be more efficient, not replace them entirely.

As the spring semester began, Sun banned students in her information security class from using ChatGPT to write papers, considering it cheating. She recalibrated after only three weeks.

“I decided we better all learn how to use it,” Sun said.

Machine learning can be used to battle hackers attacking the American power grid from Russia, she says. “The opposition already uses AI to be powerful and stronger. My research focuses on how to detect those attacks, how machine learning can detect anomalies, failures of power substations, and assaults on transmission lines.”

Sun says there aren’t enough engineers to meet demand. “If we use machine learning and AI correctly, we can improve productivity,” she said.

Indeed, Davison says the creative process still must be done by a person. Building projects, for instance, often must take into account parochial conditions and community desires. There always are existing structures to consider along with aesthetics, infrastructure, water and zoning commissions.

“You always have to take the computer-simulated design and bring it down to earth,” Davison said. “It’s a trained engineer who makes the decisions. So we don’t look at AI as a terrifying thing. Engineers are problem solvers, they love technology, and they will likely find ways to embrace it and to use it.” n

‘We don’t look at AI as a terrifying thing’

PBN PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

‘If you have an engineering degree, there will always be a place for you.’

DOROTHY DAVISON, American Council of Engineering Companies of Rhode Island executive director

SAM WOOD | Wood@PBN.com

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Engineering building an RWU recruiting tool

BY JACQUELYN VOGHEL | Voghel@PBN.com

WHEN LUKE CALABRESE toured Roger Williams University as a prospective student, one of the engineering program’s draws didn’t yet exist. But it nevertheless made an impression.

Plans for that draw – a 27,325-squarefoot building for RWU’s School of Engineering – were touted by his tour guide, Calabrese recalls, and served as an important influence in his college decision.

The building, which opened in 2020, “was definitely a highlight,” said Calabrese, who graduated in May with a concentration in mechanical engineering. “It was a focal point of some of our tours … that this building was going to be able to expand the engineering program.”

Another purpose for the space: Remaining competitive in attracting quality engineering students.

RWU’s engineering building was completed just months after the mammoth 190,000-square-foot, sixstory Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering on the South Kingstown campus of the University of Rhode Island was finished. Still, it was plans for new cutting-edge facilities on the Roger Williams campus that made an impression on Calabrese.

“I looked at other universities in the area and looked at their engineering programs as well,” he said. But “I felt like with the new building and the staff at Roger Williams, I [thought] I would fit in with them, versus a larger university.”

Calabrese, who is about to take on an engineering position with a Connecticut aerospace manufacturer, says his early expectations played out as expected. RWU’s School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management’s Richard L. Bready Applied Learning Laboratories officially opened during his sophomore year and had a notable impact on his education and faculty research, he says.

“I even look back now and wonder how they were able to do everything they did in the old building that they didn’t have in the new building,” Calabrese said. “It gave me an advantage where I could see theories play out in lab equipment, and not just on a whiteboard.”

This shift to more-direct learning experiences was a cornerstone goal of the new building, says Robert Griffin, dean of the School of Engineering.

In fact, the building, the cost of which was not immediately available, contains no traditional classrooms, instead consisting entirely of labs and research space.

“The building has a slightly different purpose than many, but it’s something we’re really proud of

– that it’s designed for that hands-on interaction,” Griffin said.

For instance, the new facilities give students “the ability to prototype a design as part of any of the engineering courses, to physically construct an object instead of just sketching it out or using a computerized design program to simulate it,” Griffin said. “You actually have the capability here of constructing a prototype.”

The new space has also allowed for greater collaboration between engineering, computer science and construction management programs, Griffin says.

The former School of Engineering building is still in use, though it’s evolving to serve more of a variety of interdisciplinary courses, Griffin says, such as forensics and justice studies.

While the new building was influential in Calabrese’s decision to attend Roger Williams, enrollment numbers so far haven’t reflected an overall increase in the school’s engineering program, Griffin says, but he expects that could change as the effects on enrollment brought about by COVID-19 fade. Enrollment for the engineering program stood at 549 for the 2022-2023 school year.

“We didn’t actually start hosting on-campus recruit events until the fall of 2021, so we didn’t really

get to capitalize on the new building and show our new facilities until recently,” he said, “so I think it’s kind of premature to talk about what the impact on the enrollment will be.”

Going forward, Griffin hopes the new facilities will help to attract more students not just to the engineering program but to the construction management and computer science programs.

At the time of its proposal, the building wasn’t welcomed by all in the university community: In 2017, the Faculty Senate voted no confidence on the process for choosing the building’s location, and the university’s architecture department also cited the location in opposing the proposal, the university’s student newspaper, The Hawks’ Herald, reported in 2017. Numerous students and faculty members complained the building site was too close to the building that houses the College of Arts and Sciences.

The three-story building is located between the Feinstein School of Humanities, Arts and Education and Cummings School of Architecture buildings.

Griffin, who joined the university as the engineering school’s dean in 2021, says he hasn’t come across negativity toward the building.

And for those who use the building, as Calabrese did until recently, it’s hard to imagine completing major projects without it. His capstone project, which involved a machine that generates oceanlike waves to better study ocean behavior on the coastline, would have been hard to complete without the research space and the storage space for the equipment that the new building provided, Calabrese says.

“If we didn’t have the lab or the resources of this repurposed equipment, I don’t think we would have been able to create a product that’s currently being used to conduct research at Roger,” he said. n

‘We didn’t really get to ... show our new facilities until recently.’

ROBERT GRIFFIN, Roger Williams University School of Engineering, Computer Science and Construction Management dean

WATER WORK: From rear to front, Roger Williams University senior civil engineering student Nathan Silveira, assistant professor Pamela Judge and senior environmental science student Lauren Northrup are assisting with soil erosion research at the RWU School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management’s Richard L. Bready Applied Learning Laboratories on the Bristol campus.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

FOCUS | ENGINEERING FIRMS (ranked by number of local licensed professional engineers)

FOCUS | ENGINEERING FIRMS (ranked by number of local licensed professional engineers)

1

2022: NL

BETA GroupInc. | beta-inc.com

JosephD'Alesio, CEO and president;Mark Gershman, senior vice president and chief operating officer;FrankRomeo, senior executive adviser

701 George Washington Highway Lincoln, R.I.02865 (401)333-2382

32

Civil/site, environmental, GIS/asset management, landscape architecture, structural, traffic/transportation, urban planning, wastewater and water

CLOSER LOOK

Ranked by nonlicensed engineers: 1

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.

2022: 2 PareCorp. | parecorp.com

2

JohnShevlin, CEO;LarryRiggs, president

8 Blackstone Valley Place Lincoln, R.I.02865 (401)334-4100

30 42

Bridge, civil, dams, environmental, geotechnical, GIS, highway, marine, permitting, stormwater, structural, traffic, wastewater, water

3

2022: 1 Vanasse Hangen BrustlinInc. | vhb.com

JustinDufresne, principal and Rhode Island managing director

1 Cedar St., Suite 400 Providence, R.I.02903 (401)272-8100

28 56

Civil, environmental, land development, planning, transportation

Nonlicensed engineers: 56 2 Pare Corp.

Nonlicensed engineers: 42

4

2022: 3 GZA GeoEnvironmentalInc. | gza.com PatrickSheehan, CEO and president;EdSummerly, Rhode Island district office manager

188 Valley St., Suite 300 Providence, R.I.02909 (401)421-4140

24 23

Environmental investigation and remediation, geotechnical engineering, dams and levees, marine/waterfront design, stormwater management and water resources, costal resilience and climate adaptation planning and design, solar and wind energy, solid waste management

3

BETA Group Inc.

Nonlicensed engineers: 41

5

2022: 6 DiPrete Engineering | diprete-eng.com Dennis L.DiPrete, president

6

2022: 4 Fuss & O'NeillInc. | fando.com BrianKortz, associate and office manager

2 Stafford Court Cranston, R.I.02920 (401)943-1000

317 Iron Horse Way Providence, R.I.02908 (401)861-3070

21 22

Civil and environmental regulatory permitting for land-development projects throughout southern New England

LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette

20 8

Brownfields, civil, environmental, hazardous materials, health/safety, land development, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, sustainable design, climate resilience

NEED A COPY?

To purchase a copy of this list, call (401) 273-2201 or visit PBN.com/lists for more information.

7

2022: NL Crossman Engineering | crossmaneng.com

StevenCabral, president

8

2022: 7

9

Steere EngineeringInc. | steereengineering.com

AlisonSteere, owner and CEO;MartinPierce, owner and president;MichaelAdams, owner and principal; MerveIplikcioglu Kirtan, owner and principal

151 Centerville Road Warwick, R.I.02886 (401)738-5660

2350 Post Road, Suite 100 Warwick, R.I.02886 (401)773-7880

14 9

Civil, transportation, traffic, environmental, landscape architecture, permitting/site planning and land surveying

UPCOMING LISTS

10 14

3D CAD modeling and rendering, bridge, contractor support, environmental, highway, NBIS bridge inspection, traffic

Aug. 4: Highway Projects in Rhode Island, Meeting & Convention Facilities; Aug. 18: Estate Planners, Rhode Island CIOs, Software Development Companies.

WANT TO JOIN?

For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 6804838 or write to Research@ PBN.com.

NL = Not listed last year.

FOOTNOTE

j S.W. Cole Engineering Inc. acquired Paul B. Aldinger & Associates Inc. on May 12, 2023, and has rebranded the company as Aldinger & Associates.

IT’S PERSONAL

DBVW honored for cathedral work

PIERSON BOOHER is principal of DBVW Architects Inc. in Providence. The architectural firm recently received an award for “Religious Architecture: Restoration” from Partners for Sacred Places at the organization’s 2022 Faith & Form International Awards Program. DBVW was honored for its restoration work on the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, which was built in 1889 in Providence.

What does receiving this award mean to the firm?

We take exceptional pride in the quality of our work, whether it’s a written report or a built product. This project was no different, and it is especially meaningful in that it involved a landmark building right around the corner from our office in Providence. For nearly 30 years, DBVW has been involved in the preservation and rehabilitation of hundreds of historic buildings across southern New England, including local, state and national landmarks such as the R.I. Statehouse, the Newport Casino and the Tabernacle at Oak Bluffs.

What were some of the critical areas of the cathedral that needed refurbishment?

There were two critical scopes of work. … They were the comprehensive replacement of the original Monson black slate roofing and copper flashings and the meticulous restoration of the Portland brownstone at the two masonry towers and the north gable between them. The project team was faced with identifying suitable replacement material for existing slate and brownstone that are no longer quarried. The team worked collaboratively to identify acceptable materials that met or exceeded the properties of the existing structure and matched the color range found across the cathedral exterior. Both scopes were developed to produce a weathertight building envelope that extended the useful service life of the building for at least the next 25 to 50 years.

How delicate or challenging was it to update the cathedral while also preserving its historical look?

The masonry restoration process was incredibly challenging, from initial assessments through construction. At the outset, the [Roman Catholic] Diocese of Providence issued a guiding principle to preserve as much of the original building fabric as possible. From there, the design team worked closely with the construction manager to establish a repair scope that used a delicate touch and minimized stone replacement to areas where absolutely necessary to ensure the long-term performance of the building.

What other historical renovation projects is DBVW working on around Rhode Island?

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Approximately 85% of DBVW’s projects have involved historic buildings since the firm’s founding, including projects like the cathedral that we endearingly refer to as “Capital ‘P’ ” preservation projects. We are actively engaged in 14 major historic restoration and/or renovation projects, half of which are in Rhode Island. That list includes exterior restoration projects at Rough Point and Rosecliff in Newport, adaptive reuse of the historic Bernon Mills in Woonsocket, and exterior masonry cleaning of the R.I. Statehouse. n VISIT

AN ESTIMATED 50 MILLION

Americans quit their jobs last year, causing massive headaches and a tremendous amount of lost productivity and revenue for companies.

The reasons vary. A good salary is no longer enough. Work conditions and other factors are more important than ever. In addition to compensation, employees also want to have a sense of purpose, opportunities for career advancement, recognition, a culture of trust and flexibility to work from home when possible.

Every employee is different. That’s why companies need to start conducting “stay” interviews more than “exit” interviews to find out what matters most to employees.

When I started Mackay Envelope Co. many years ago, I created a program we call “One-On-One,” in which I spent 20 to 30 minutes yearly with every employee and asked them what was on their mind. They were free to share any thoughts or concerns with no repercussions.

When my partner, Scott Mitchell, came on board as president in the early 1990s, he kept the program going. This program has been invaluable for our company in retaining employees at an extremely high rate.

MACKAY’S MORAL | HARVEY MACKAY

Nurture your workers

We also have an open-door policy where employees can come in and talk with Scott, me or any manager about anything without ramifications. Remember, employees don’t leave companies; they leave managers.

I believe strongly in recognition and appreciation. It’s human nature for everyone to want to be appreciated for doing a good job. When people humbly say, “I was just doing my job,” it’s fine to remind them they were doing their job well, and you are grateful for their effort.

I’ve always tried to give recognition in front of a group and single people out among their peers. Why not give others something to strive for and show them how you value good performance?

Recognition programs create a positive work environment by reinforcing desired behaviors, motivating high performance, increasing morale and supporting the organizational mission and values.

I am convinced that trust is the most important five-letter word in business – not sales or money.

At every level of every organization, workers need to understand the importance of keeping their word. Employees want to know they can depend on management. Trust between managers and employees is crucial to the long-term enthusiasm, loyalty and productivity of the company.

Employees want to feel that they are part of a team on a mission and that they have a purpose in achieving company goals. It’s important to know where you want to go; to have a purpose. Finding that purpose is among life’s biggest challenges. Discovering what is important to you, what you are passionate about and where you can make a difference – those are the factors that drive your purpose.

Career advancement is another factor for many in retaining employees. Managers need to let employees know that there is room to grow, develop

Trust is the most important five-letter word in business.

and progress in the organization. Managers must take a personal interest in an employee’s career goals and promote training and development. A 2021 report by Monster states that 45% of employees surveyed would have stayed at their current jobs if they were offered more training.

Employees who participate in professional development are more productive. Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management showed that an employer’s yearlong soft skills training program led to a roughly 250% return on investment within eight months.

Bottom line: It is infinitely more productive to retain good employees in whom you have invested and who are invested in you. Nurture that relationship carefully to keep your business thriving.

Mackay’s Moral: Take care of your employees if you want them to take care of you. 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.

REGIONAL

PHILANTHROPIC

OPPORTUNITIES

This publication connects top level business executives and their employees to the region’s nonprofit offerings. Profiles of nonprofit organizations highlight their mission and position them as worthy of support by community leaders who can devote their time,

CYBER SESSIONS | JASON ALBUQUERQUE

(Editor’s note: This is the 12th installment of a monthly column on the growing number of cyberthreats facing businesses of all sizes and what they can do about it. A version of this column was first published on PBN.com on July 18.)

WE’VE CONSTANTLY HEARD that humans are the weakest link in cybersecurity and that cyber awareness training is essential to solving this problem. But based on the alarming cybersecurity statistics that continue to be reported, it’s time for a radical change in educating employees on cyber risk. The growing number of attacks and increased sophistication of cybercriminals have upped the ante. People, their behaviors and cyberaware decision-making processes have emerged as the linchpin of an organization’s resilience. Despite the adoption of robust technical defenses, it is the vulnerability of humans that often opens the doors for hackers.

Recent statistics reveal that anywhere from 75%-85% of all cyber incidents involve a human cause. That shows that safeguarding organizations goes beyond simply securing the technology infrastructure; it necessitates the empowerment of the

individuals within the organizations.

Traditional cybersecurity awareness training has fallen short. These “awareness programs” are often a “check in the box” exercise to show compliance and fail horribly in engaging employees in adopting strong cyber hygiene. This leads to a lack of awareness and a dangerous level of complacency.

Cybersecurity training has been approached as a compliance exercise – hours of slideshow presentations or generic off-the-shelf courses that fail to engage employees and articulate why these trainings are critical. The result: the average user sees cybersecurity training as an inconvenience.

Human risk management takes a comprehensive approach to address human risk, encompassing employeetailored training, behavioral change initiatives, policy enforcement, and the utilization and adoption of technology. By putting a security-conscious culture at the top, this strategy empowers all employees to view

cybersecurity as an embedded part of their duties, fostering a sense of ownership and vigilance. Ultimately, cybersecurity needs to be part of the DNA of the organization’s daily work.

Organizations can start taking steps now to build toward a culture of managing human risk. With a human risk management approach, companies effectively identify, prioritize and manage the top human risks specific to their business and culture. This fosters a sense of collective responsibility, encouraging staff to report any potential security risk and recognizing employees who make proactive efforts to maintain a cyber-resilient business environment.

A well-designed program can allow businesses to create tailored education that alerts employees about the latest cyberthreats and best practices that threaten their business. Having regular, engaging sessions, supplemented by real-world examples and interactive components of engagement, can foster a deeper under-

Time for radical shift MARKETPLACE

standing and drive positive behavior change. Educating employees on cyber risk cannot be treated as a oncea-year class but must be a constant journey. Designing a program that includes continuous learning opportunities, reinforcement exercises and simulated phishing campaigns can strengthen knowledge and instill a security-conscious mindset.

Business leaders must recognize that the human element is a critical factor in cybersecurity risk management. By embracing a human risk management approach and implementing more-personalized strategies, organizations can empower their employees to become strong defenders against cyberthreats. The shift toward human risk management is not only a necessary step in strengthening cyber resilience but also a transformative approach that cultivates a securityconscious culture within your organization.

Next month: The latest cybersecurity trends. n

Jason Albuquerque is the chief operating officer of Pawtucket-based Envision Technology Advisors LLC. You can reach him at www. envisionsuccess.net.

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Traditional cybersecurity awareness training has fallen short.

EDITORIALS

Cranston mayor shows why state lags in business friendliness Armory up, ‘Superman’ on deck

Cranston Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins scored one for the locals by persuading the owners of a large golfing complex under construction in the city to drop their preferred name of Topgolf Providence. But he also reinforced a nagging perception of the state as a place that is generally unfriendly toward business.

Rhode Island politicians and business leaders for years have debated why the state consistently ranks among the nation’s worst for business.

Providence leaders have some big decisions to make about the future of the Cranston Street Armory and the “Superman” building.

PRESSURED: Cranston Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins succeeded in persuading the owners of a new golfing complex to drop their preferred name for Topgolf Rhode Island.

Often-cited reasons include an aging infrastructure, unbalanced economy and high costs of living and doing business.

Less-often acknowledged, at least locally, is a perceived lack of friendliness toward business that earned the state a “D” rating from CNBC in its latest ranking of top states for doing business. The state for the second year in a row came in 45th in that annual ranking released earlier this month. In 2019, the state was last in the nation.

Thankfully for Cranston, Topgolf owners did not take the mayor up on his suggestion they move their project out of the city if they didn’t change the name. They chose Topgolf Rhode Island, after the mayor suggested that or Topgolf Cranston.

But the mayor opened the project developer to unnecessary local criticism. And worse, he suggested he was willing to risk hundreds of jobs and much-needed local tax revenue to score a few points with local voters who don’t want their city confused with Providence.

It’s the type of parochial leadership that Rhode Island has a reputation for that makes businesses think twice about investing in local communities. n

POLL CENTRAL

EXECUTIVE POLL

Beyond the borders?

Have you recently hired employees who previously resided outside of Rhode Island or southeastern Massachusetts?

No: 80%

When hiring new employees, do you prefer candidates who are based locally?

Yes, if they meet our job requirements: 80%

PBN.COM POLL

The state’s termination of a redevelopment contract for the armory leaves city leaders, including Mayor Brett P. Smiley, considering whether to take over ownership of the historic state property.

Reuse of the building would require a significant city investment, which the mayor is amenable to, as well as state financial support.

The fate of the towering Industrial Trust Co. Building at 111 Westminster St. is similarly tied to the city’s and state’s willingness to provide more financial backing.

If that stalled redevelopment project is to move forward, new financial incentives from the state and city will likely be ironed out before the General Assembly returns in January.

Redevelopment of both historic properties is clearly in Providence’s interest.

But can the city afford stepped-up investment in either, let alone both? n

Do you support allowing Rhode Island residents who are not citizens to obtain driver’s licenses?

JULY 7-13

No, only citizens should have driver’s licenses

Yes, it will increase road safety for everyone by allowing them to get insurance

Yes: 20%

Yes: 0%

What percentage of your company’s employees once resided outside of Rhode Island or southeastern Massachusetts? Does your company help new employees relocate to the area?

Less than 5%: 60%

More than 10%: 20%

Unsure: 0%

No: 80%

No: 20% 5%-10%: 20%

Yes: 20%

I’m not sure 5%

THIS WEEK’S POLL: Was Gov. Daniel J. McKee right not to move forward with a redevelopment plan for Providence’s Cranston Street Armory?

• Yes, taxpayers would have footed too much of the bill

• Yes, but the state should have already identified a viable alternative

• No, the proposal would have created jobs and needed tax revenue

• No, the state should have negotiated more with the developer

• I’m not sure

To vote, go to PBN.com and follow the link on the home page

Danger of AI might not be what you think

The rise of artificial intelligence systems has been accompanied by a sharp increase in anxiety about AI. For the past few months, executives and AI safety researchers have been offering predictions about the probability that AI will bring about a large-scale catastrophe.

GUEST COLUMN

Worries peaked in May when the nonprofit research and advocacy organization Center for AI Safety released a one-sentence statement: “Mitigating the risk of extinction from A.I. should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks, such as pandemics and nuclear war.” The statement was signed by many key players in the field.

You might ask how such existential fears are supposed to play out. One famous scenario is the “paper clip maximizer” thought experiment. The idea is that an AI system tasked with producing as many paper clips as possible might go to extraordinary lengths to find raw materials, such as destroying factories and causing car accidents.

The basic idea: AI is fast becoming an alien intelligence, good at accomplishing goals but dangerous because it won’t necessarily align with the moral values of its creators. And, in its most extreme version, this argument morphs into explicit anxieties about AIs enslaving or destroying the human race

In the past few years, my colleagues and I at the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Applied Ethics Center have been studying

the impact of engagement with AI on people’s understanding of themselves, and I believe these catastrophic anxieties are overblown and misdirected

Yes, AI’s ability to create convincing deepfake videos and audio is frightening, and it can be abused by people with bad intent. And AI decision-making systems that offer loan approval and hiring recommendations carry the risk of algorithmic bias since the training data and decision models they run on reflect long-standing social prejudices. These are big problems, and they require the attention of policymakers. But they have been around for a while, and they are hardly cataclysmic.

The statement from the Center for AI Safety lumped AI in with pandemics and nuclear weapons as a major risk to civilization. There are problems with that comparison. COVID-19 resulted in almost 7 million deaths worldwide, brought on a massive and continuing mental health crisis and created economic challenges

Nuclear weapons probably killed more than 200,000 people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, claimed many more lives from cancer in the years that followed, and generated decades of profound anxiety during the Cold War.

AI is simply nowhere near gaining the ability to do this kind of damage.

Actually, there is an existential danger inherent in using AI, but that risk is exis-

AI in its current form can alter the way people view themselves

tential in the philosophical sense. AI in its current form can alter the way people view themselves. It can degrade abilities and experiences that people consider essential to being human.

For example, humans are judgmentmaking creatures. People rationally weigh particulars and make daily judgment calls at work and during leisure time about whom to hire, who should get a loan, what to watch and so on. But more and more of these judgments are being automated by algorithms As that happens, the world won’t end. But people will gradually lose the capacity to make these judgments themselves.

Or consider the role of chance in people’s lives. Humans value serendipitous encounters: coming across a place, person or activity by accident, being drawn into it and retrospectively appreciating the role the accident played in these meaningful finds. But the role of algorithmic recommendation engines is to reduce that kind of serendipity

Finally, consider ChatGPT’s writing capabilities. The technology is in the process of eliminating the role of writing assignments in higher education. If it does, educators will lose a key tool for teaching students how to think critically

So, no, AI won’t blow up the world. But the increasingly uncritical embrace of it, in a variety of narrow contexts, means the gradual erosion of some of humans’ most important skills.

The human species will survive such losses. But our way of existing will be impoverished in the process. n

Nir Eisikovits is a professor of philosophy and director of the Applied Ethics Center at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Distributed by The Associated Press.

Restaurant industry proves resiliency as it rebuilds

Like countless other industries, the restaurant industry has been completely redefined by the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurant owners felt optimistic about the post-COVID world but were immediately presented with a continued headline problem: inflation.

Other supply chain-related events, which spanned from restaurant equipment (creating issues for restaurant development and timing) to the Avian flu and “eggflation” issues, also negatively impacted the industry.

Inflation has had a far-reaching impact on the restaurant industry – affecting everything from the cost of materials to wages.

Average food prices, while trending lower, are still well above pre-pandemic levels. As of June 2023, the Producer Price Index of All Foods remained 24% above its February 2020 reading. Many critical food items such as eggs, cheese and butter have seen dramatic increases, leaving restaurants no choice but to increase menu prices in response.

Climate issues such as drought, fires and record-setting heat have also limited the availability of crops, exacerbating the inflation problem. Food brands have found themselves short on vital food products such as potatoes and other grains.

One especially stressful part of the equation for restaurant owners is how much food price inflation is passed on to customers.

Restaurants need to remain competitive while still retaining a profit. If your restaurant is taking a 10% menu price increase and competitors are only taking 5%, you’re out on a limb.

Overall consumer spending in restaurants has been modestly higher in recent months, but mostly due to higher menu prices. Adjusting for inflation, the recent trendline of restaurant sales has been flat to lower, according to the National Restaurant Association, which is why 2023 has proved so challenging for restaurant operators and their bottom lines.

In addition to struggling to combat increased food costs, restaurants are also navigating increased labor costs.

Restaurants have increased wages not only to attract workers but also to compete with other employers, particularly retail outlets. When major employers such as Target Corp., Amazon.com Inc. and CVS Pharmacy Inc. move to a $15 wage, it doesn’t matter what the federal minimum wage is. Restaurants must compete.

What’s next? Although the outlook is uncertain with the threat of a possible recession on the horizon, indicators are displaying that any recession will likely be modest and manageable. Restaurants should take advantage of the lessons they have learned in

the past few years and find hope in the signs that the worst is behind us.

Although the impact of a lengthy war in Ukraine still hovers over future supplies and prices, the labor situation seems to be stabilizing, as stimulus payments have ended, and people are reentering the workforce

The key components for restaurant owners are employees and partners, making labor and training significant factors for restaurants. The labor market continues to be tight but there are signs of hope. Restaurants have learned to operate with fewer people and rely more on technology, which is necessary as the labor market continues to tighten. They must also learn how to quickly pivot, whether that means embracing innovation or improving their services by being more flexible and adaptable.

While restaurants have faced countless challenges in the past few years, the setbacks have only proven how resilient the industry is. Those that made it through 2022 relatively unscathed should be proud. n

Cristin O’Hara is managing director and head of the Restaurant Group at Bank of America Corp. Oliver Bennett is senior relationship manager of Global Commercial Banking for Bank of America in Rhode Island.

ONE LAST THING

Know your worth

Joseph Becton

Artistic Tattoo Supply Inc., F.I.N.A.O. Ink Tattoo Co. CEO

Tattoo artist Joseph Becton opened F.I.N.A.O. Ink Tattoo parlor 13 years ago. In 2019 he expanded in North Providence by founding Artistic Tattoo Supply Inc.

are many reasons why people opt to get inked. Whatever it is, know that it’s something that your clients, for the most part, will live with forever.

n Consultation with a new client is a must.

Consultations are essential to ensure that your client doesn’t regret the tattoo that they get. It’s during this time that you’re able to discuss their idea in depth. This ranges from the art size to tattoo placement.

n Being knowledgeable of the latest techniques is key. Consider attending conventions where you can learn new techniques.

n Don’t underestimate your skill. A professional tattoo artist is someone who knows their worth. Oftentimes, those new in the business don’t charge enough for their time. Undervaluing your skill and art is one of the biggest mistakes tattoo artists make.

n Ensure that your client knows what to do after their inking session. Offer them advice and let them know the consequences of not complying. Poor aftercare can lead to your tattoo not coming out the way it was intended. This is why offering a follow-up session to check on things is only the right thing to do. Doing so will make your client feel like they’re cared for and valued.

If things go well, then you’ve likely gained a patron and a recommendation or two.

The most sustainable business model is one that meets the needs of your target audience and meets the needs of all customers. n

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

2023 AWARDS

PRESENTING SPONSOR

PARTNER SPONSOR

Founded more than 175 years ago, the mission of Bristol County Savings Bank is to support the communities we serve by making them a better place to live and work. We feel it is especially important to do our part to identify the leaders in our community who will help advance that pursuit, now and in the future.

That’s why we are proud to partner with PBN for a fifth consecutive year to recognize the 2023 “40 Under Forty” award winners! We applaud your dedication to your work and local initiatives and look forward to seeing the positive impact you make within our communities in the years to come.

What moment changed your life?

WHAT MOMENT changed your life more than any other?

It’s both an immensely personal and universal question we all can relate to, though many of us would struggle settling on a single day or event.

But it’s no surprise that our typically stellar group of 40 under Forty winners this year answered that and several other personal questions with clarity and the kind of insight you’d expect from high achievers.

For several of them, including Talia Brookshire, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island’s chief diversity officer, becoming a parent brought perspective and a new sense of purpose. For others, such as Jennifer Carignan, a senior manager of manufacturing at Amgen Rhode Island, it was the death of a loved one – in her case her father when she was 31 – that left a lasting mark.

Some cited marriage, 9/11, college choices and other familiar markers along the path to early adulthood and responsibility.

For some, however, the biggest moments and events happened much earlier in life and shaped their outlook and sense of purpose, though it may not have been obvious at the time.

Peter R. Brown Jr., State Street Corp.’s head of North America industry intelligence, traces his biggest moment back to the start of fourth grade and being unable to read due to dyslexia. Persevering through that challenge taught him how to turn disadvantage into opportunity.

Robert Andreozzi, owner and chef of Providence’s Pizza Marvin, learned a similar lesson, albeit the hard way.

His defining moment? “Getting kicked out of high school,” he said. It’s never too early or late to learn life lessons, as this year’s award winners can attest.

We’d especially like to thank our returning presenting sponsor, Bristol County Savings Bank, and new partner sponsor University of Rhode Island for our 19th edition of 40 Under Forty.

Michael Mello, Editor

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL QUALITY UNITEDHEALTHCARE OF NEW ENGLAND

What is the best advice you have ever received? The best advice I have received is that I can do anything I set my mind to. Where do you see yourself in five years? I still see myself within the health care quality industry.

What was your first job? In a coffee shop at a hospital. What advice would you give your 22-year-old

It would be to not give up. It will all be worth it in

What moment changed your life more than any other? It was obtaining my [Master of Public Health] degree. It opened more doors than I could have ever imagined.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? My extensive knowledge and expertise in health care quality (about 18 years).

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Stuffed clams, or “stuffies.”

Fox or MSNBC? Fox.

What does winning this award mean to you? I am grateful for the recognition, as I can imagine everyone who was nominated and/ or applied has put great effort into their profession and winning this award is a reminder of all the hard work and dedication.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I have always known I wanted to do something in health care. It wasn’t until I had my second job where I participated in my first quality improvement project that I learned how passionate I was about health care quality improvement. n

ANDREOZZI

OWNER AND CHEF PIZZA MARVIN

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? I am energized to see so many restauranteurs considering what a “living wage” actually means.

What is the best advice you have ever received? If you can’t dance, don’t stand up.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Running a small restaurant group that is positively changing the Rhode Island food scene.

What was your first job? A golf caddy.

What advice would you give your 22-yearold self? Suck it up. Things are going to work out.

What moment changed your life more than any other? Getting kicked out of high school.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Taking mentorship seriously.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Riccotti’s spinach pie, at the Bristol location only.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “Succession.”

Fox or MSNBC? Twitter.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry?

The thought of becoming a paralegal. n

ROBERT

STACEY AGUIAR | 37

INC.; ADJUNCT PROFESSOR RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE

THE PROP Stacey Aguiar holds her framed Master of Public Health degree from Grand Canyon University.

KARA BABCOCK | 37

ASSOCIATE UNION STUDIO ARCHITECTURE & COMMUNITY DESIGN INC.

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? I’ve seen the architecture industry collectively step into more awareness and prioritization of how we can positively affect place and community through collaboration, rather than holding the visions of a single designer on a pedestal. For me, this is an exciting time to be in the field, to imagine the architect as an ally and listener rather than an all-knowing designer.

What is the best advice you have ever received? To always be open to the advice and wisdom of others. There is much to learn from one another.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Lifting up my family, mentoring others and challenging myself in my career.

What was your first job? Working the check-in counter at my community pool for the summer.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Find a great mentor, and open yourself up to new challenges and

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? I hope my greatest attribute is a willingness to keep learning and a receptiveness toward having my perspective adjusted.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Oysters.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry?

Initially, the intriguing blend of visual design and technical skills mixed with brainstorming and problem-solving. What has kept me in my career field is all of the above, and the hope that my profession can help communities meet their needs and overcome challenges they face. n

TALIA BROOKSHIRE | 39

CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH PLAN OF RHODE ISLAND

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Industrywide would be the global focus on health equity. I am happy that Neighborhood has been focused on health equity since inception, but I think there has been a brighter light shed on health disparities nationwide. What is the best advice you have ever received? Always trust your gut. Do what feels right, the rest will fall into place. Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to be in a position where I can still effect positive change and hopefully use my experience to make someone’s life better. I also hope to be more involved in the community, ideally with youth sports or science, technology, engineering and math programs.

What was your first job? My first real job was working at PCGCampbell in Dearborn, Mich. Campbell is where I found my love for sports and all things marketing; my foundation was built in my time there. I could never thank them enough.

What moment changed your life more than any other? Becoming a mother to Skylar and Charley changed my life in a way that put everything quickly into perspective. I learned what to dwell on and what to move past. I learned who the real bosses are in our house. Most importantly, I have a better appreciation for grace and humility. What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? I enjoy lobster rolls. n

Steven J. Hebner Vice President of Finance

THE PROP Kara Babcock poses with her daughter, Helen Quinn, 3.

THE PROP Talia Brookshire poses with her daughter, Charley, 3. Talia holds her work shoes but says she is never without her Jordans.

Design. Create. Inspect.

Overcome design, production, and inspection challenges.

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division is a cutting-edge technology company that specializes in providing top-notch solutions for manufacturers. With a commitment to innovation and precision, our team of experts brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. From aerospace to automotive, Hexagon has the tools and expertise to help businesses improve their operations and streamline their manufacturing process.

Hexagon proudly celebrates Mario Grande for being named one of this year’s 40 Under Forty recipients!

PETER R. BROWN JR.

| 39

HEAD OF NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE STATE STREET CORP.

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Digitization has led to more efficiency through automation and improved client satisfaction through more client centricity. Regulations continue to get more complex and complicated.

What is the best advice you have ever received? You own your career. That means you set the priorities that achieve your goals, network to learn and grow, and embrace challenges to stretch you.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Find mentors, exceed expectations, become an expert at something … and have fun!

What moment changed your life more than any other?

Entering the fourth grade and not being able to read but persevering through many of the challenges of dyslexia and developing the confidence that my differences would be an advantage.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? I am a coach and a team player. By coaching, I work to bring out the best of those around me to exceed expectations. As a team player, I connect global teams that should collaborate to benefit clients.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? Disney+ for about 30 minutes with my kids each night.

Fox or MSNBC? Neither, I try to stay in the center.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? From an early age I wanted to be in finance. The industry has so many opportunities and although my education was in social sciences, I have found that to be an advantage and becoming more common within finance. n

JENNIFER CARIGNAN | 39

SENIOR MANAGER OF MANUFACTURING AMGEN RHODE ISLAND

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Global growth has been an ongoing change for the industry and for Amgen. As we work with more regions, regulations, products and patients, our work intensifies.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Find a mentor.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Most likely, I will still be in this industry, still learning, continuing to solve problems and working with teams.

What was your first job?

Gymnastics coach.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Hang in there.

What moment changed your life more than any other? The death of my father in 2015. I was 31, he was 54. He was such a strong part of my family’s life; we haven’t been the same since.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? I enjoy working on the projects that no one else wants to work on. I like organizing chaos, while finding new and fun ways to motivate teams. I’ve found that if I take care of the people, they will successfully take care of everything else.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink?

Gregg’s Restaurant’s Death By Chocolate Cake.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “Friends.” What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? My love for math and science led me to chemical engineering, and biotech offered a way to use that degree while serving many roles and continuing to learn. n

Proud supporter of those who reach higher

THE PROP Jennifer Carignan holds the basic carboy, which is used throughout Amgen Rhode Island’s manufacturing process.

Kristen Hubbard, MD Associate medical director, Coastal Medical

Ara Millette, DNP, RN Director of talent acquisition and workforce development, Lifespan

THE PROP

When not working, Peter R. Brown Jr. enjoys spending time with his family, especially his two children.

KRYSTAL CARCIERI CARNES | 39 DIRECTOR

OF MARKETING

AND DESIGN CARPIONATO GROUP LLC

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Most recently we have seen a significant shift in our tenant mix, which is now strongly dominated by the wellness and beauty markets. The trend illustrates what is most important to consumers post-pandemic. The health, urgent care, fitness, therapeutic, alternative and holistic medicine, and medical spas are at the forefront of our retail communities.

What was your first job? Working for my family’s business, Krystal Shoes. I worked the sales floor and helped with buying inventory and advertising. What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Don’t be afraid of the unknown. Life is full of surprises.

What moment changed your life more than any The day I became a mom. Everything I worked so hard for up until that point was put into focus. I wanted to be the best example to my children.

Krystal

her children, Kensington, 6, with a ceremonial groundbreaking shovel, and Kamden, 3, with a 3D architectural model .

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? I am open-minded and try to find a compromise whenever possible. Not every situation will have a perfect outcome, and finding the best middle ground is not always clear. Fox or MSNBC? Both. In my industry you need to keep a pulse on all perspectives of the economy and all the drivers of the real estate environment.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I had always been fascinated by architecture and its ability to revitalize and reimagine spaces. To take something lifeless and create something beautiful and impactful – I wanted to be part of that process. n

LUCA CARNEVALE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? key developments stand out. Entrepreneurship out of necessity: The COVID-19 pandemic forced individuals to adapt and find new ways to sustain themselves. And, increased focus on sustainability. There has been a growing emphasis on sustainability in the food industry, with consumers becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of their food choices.

What is the best advice you have ever received? To not be afraid of making mistakes. Mistakes are an inherent part of the learning process and are often the first step toward achieving success.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I envision myself continuing to contribute to the food industry by working toward building a stronger local food economy. What was your first job? A busser at Twin Oaks restaurant.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? A sense of calmness and a steady approach. I firmly believe in maintaining composure under pressure and being able to navigate through challenging situations with clarity.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry?

It was driven by a combination of my experience in the food industry and a deep-rooted passion for assisting individuals in realizing their dreams. It is a wonderful combination of my professional background and my personal aspiration to make a positive impact in people’s lives. n

Director of BusinessDevelopment

Stefan has been a vital member of the Starkweather & Shepley team since the day he started. His thoughtful leadership, expertise in marketing & business development, and his numerous achievements speak to his capabilities as a marketing professional. He exemplifies everything Starkweather stands for and goes above and beyond each and every day.

THE PROP

Carcieri Carnes with

THE PROP Luca Carnevale holds a food box from Hope & Main, as well as a coffee cup representing the cafe the nonprofit launched in January.

TINO CHOW | 38 CEO GIANT SHOULDERS LLC

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Designers and creatives have to [come] to grips with [artificial intelligence] and our role when generative AI tools are widely available.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Filter, focus,

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Continuing my work as a venture capitalist.

What was your first job? Laying out worksheets for an afterschool program in Hong Kong.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Be patient, good things take time.

What moment changed your life more than any other?

Having kids. Seeing and experiencing the world from their perspective has reminded me of the power of the “beginner’s mindset.”

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Grit. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Calamari and Del’s lemonade.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? ”Ted Lasso.”

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I had the fortune of having a mentor who brought me to New York to work for his brand agency. I learned the art of brand strategy and storytelling there and have been hooked since. n

JEFFREY DEL RICCI | 39 SALES DIRECTOR GENOA HEALTHCARE LLC

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? COVID-19 pandemic had such a major impact on the pharmacy world a few years ago. Pharmacists were at the forefront helping to vaccinate our communities and educate the population. All health care professionals collaborated more than ever during this public health emergency.

What is the best advice you have ever received? My mother has always taught me to be kind, loving, respectful and to work hard. “Treat others as you want to be treated.”

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself still working for Genoa in sales or a director role in pharmacy operations. I also plan to start a family within the next year or two.

What was your first job? A dishwasher at Twin’s Pizza and Family Restaurant in North Providence.

What advice would you give your 22-yearold self? Never compare your life or journey to anyone else’s.

What moment changed your life more than any other? father died a week before my 10th birthday. It had a profound impact on my family’s lives and made us stronger and closer than ever. It made me realize how precious life is and how every day is a gift.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “Yellowstone.” Fox or MSNBC? Neither! They only just further divide our country. n

leadership matters

As a trusted advisor providing smart solutions, Withum’s Stephanie Mansour, Senior Manager, is among the Providence Business News 2023 40 under 40 honorees, who provide continued leadership and guidance — helping businesses grow and adapt in today’s ever-changing business landscape.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE HONOREES FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING EFFORTS IN SUPPORTING BUSINESSES TO GROW.

withum.com

THE PROP Tino Chow holds various pieces of merchandise and apparel from clients that he regularly works with.

THE PROP Jeffrey Del Ricci holds a pill bottle and his old license plate “PHARMD,” which is the degree (doctor of pharmacy) he earned.

JENNIFER DEMETER | 39 DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH INITIATIVES UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION & ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Overall, giving declined last year, mostly due to the stock market performance, inflation and other economic pressures. Also, education giving declined by 3.6% year over year. Giving by individuals has declined by 6.4% (13.4% adjusted for inflation). There are also fewer households giving philanthropically. However, overall individual giving is still where the majority of funds and philanthropic dollars come from versus foundations or corporations. On a brighter note, gifts from wills, trusts and retirement accounts have remained steady at 9% of overall giving.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Leave it better than you found it. Leave no stone unturned. Listen more than you speak.

What was your first job? Besides babysitting, my first job was working in an office after school filing papers, distributing mail, answering phones, etc.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring I am a good listener. This is an important attribute while engaging with donors. Listening to their story, reason for giving back, what they are not saying or showing through body language, and giving donors the time and space to express their thoughts.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Matunuck Oysters – grown in Potter Pond. Salty and sweet.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “The Marvelous Miss Mazel.” n

DANIELA FAIRCHILD-FRYDRYK | 35 CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER R.I. COMMERCE CORP.

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? One trend that has been escalated by the COVID-19 pandemic is the shift to e-commerce and digitally enabled business systems. Ensuring our state’s small businesses are best enabled to leverage the internet and cloud-based solutions has catapulted as a need over the past five years.

Where do you see yourself in five years? in grade school in five years, so I’ll likely be doing a lot of balancing school and work schedules, trying to be multiple places at the same time.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Hustle.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Blount [Fine Foods Corp.] chowder and clam cakes. It’s a hearty combo, delicious, a total steal and you get to imagine yourself sitting at the president’s inauguration dinner while dining.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? With two kids younger than 4, there’s not a lot of binge watching. We do watch a lot of “Octonauts” presently – highly recommend if you’re in the market for a new kid show.

Fox or MSNBC? We’re a local news household –and “Meet the Press” on Sundays.

THE PROP

Daniela FairchildFrydryk has spent many nights reading, eating and conversing by kerosene lamp on Hog Island, where there are no roads, stores, or grid-based electricity.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? jobs have always been in pursuit of making good ideas stick – how can I best impart knowledge for students, improve education policy, or update systems to make government work better for those it serves. n

Amgen Rhode Island Congratulates all of the 2023 40 Under Forty Honorees, including our own Jennifer Carignan

Senior Manager Manufacturing

THE PROP Jennifer Demeter shows off her “Rhody pride” with University of Rhode Island paraphernalia.

CHRIS FEDERICO PRESIDENT RHODE ISLAND PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Pharmacists have risen to the forefront in helping address public health needs. We have seen our profession expand beyond traditional roles, elevate our services alongside our health care colleagues and demonstrate our resiliency in filling multiple roles to improve patient care. What is the best advice you have ever received? You can’t win if you don’t play!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Serving patients, elevating our profession to practice at the top of our license and educating/mentoring the next generation of pharmacists here in Rhode Island.

What was your first job? Little League umpire. What advice would you give your 22-yearold self? Don’t miss an opportunity to improve yourself, meet new people and travel while you are able.

What moment changed your life more than any other?

Completing the six World Marathon Majors this April and qualifying for the Boston Marathon. It taught me how hard work, dedication and being goaloriented can help you achieve success. Fox or MSNBC? ESPN.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? When I was younger, my grandmother became ill, and a pharmacist at the hospital identified it was due to a drug interaction. This resulted in both myself and brother pursuing a career in pharmacy. n

MARIO GRANDE | 38

VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE AMERICAS HEXAGON MANUFACTURING INTELLIGENCE

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Our customers in the manufacturing sector increasingly rely on connected data for better collaboration and faster decision-making, and new technologies to add efficiency and sustainability to their processes. Autonomy, sustainability and empowering our customers to put data to work are primary considerations in the development of Hexagon’s solutions.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Speak with confidence. If you doubt yourself, others will too.

What was your first job? Counter service at McDonald’s.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Do not put a limit on your expectations for what you can achieve.

What moment changed your life more than any other?

Joining the Sigma Pi Fraternity at the University of Rhode Island.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Clam cakes.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “Succession.”

Fox or MSNBC?

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I am energized by being part of a team and working to solve problems. A finance career in an operational environment presents the opportunity to do both on a daily basis. n

Driven to solve problems for all

Jessica’s creativity and enthusiasm for solving complex problems have driven her high-profile, successful launches at BCBSRI. They also feed her focus on helping our most vulnerable members.

Jess introduced a unique grocery program that partners with a local caterer and coordinates with SNAP benefits, ensuring that these members have nutritious meals delivered to their homes. She also led our efforts to deliver turkey dinners to 6,000 members last holiday season.

These are just two examples of Jess’s commitment to communities whose voices are often not heard.

Congratulations, Jess, on being named a PBN 40 Under Forty honoree.

Jessica Marfeo Managing Director, Medicare Product Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

THE PROP Mario Grande poses with his daughters, Isabella and Lilliana.

THE PROP Chris Federico holds shoes he wore in six World Marathon Majors along with the medals he earned in those competitions.

PRINCIPAL DIPRETE ENGINEERING

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? The biggest change has been the shift in work-life balance. COVID-19 reminded the world how much we love to be home with our family and friends. Remote work has replaced stressful travel hours with valuable time where employees choose how to spend it.

What is the best advice you have ever

If you do not go after what you want, you will never have it. If you do not ask, the answer is always no. If you do not step forward, you are always in the same place.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Mentoring the next generation of leaders in my firm.

What was your first job?

Hostess at Gregg’s Restaurant. What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Be confident (even if you have to fake it).

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Positivity and contagious enthusiasm.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Calamari and Del’s lemonade. What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I was always very interested in design and construction. When I was a kid, I would draw house and site plans on 8.5-by11-inch pieces of paper taped together to achieve a larger format. It was not until I began working on the revitalization of Garden City Center in 2012 when I realized how fascinating it was to be part of a construction team. n

STEVEN HEBNER VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE CENTREVILLE BANK

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? The significant fluctuations in the interest rate environment. We have seen aggressive rate cuts at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by historic lows in the treasury yield curve, then the sharpest pace of rate increases since 1980, and now an inverted yield curve.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

If you can’t be replaced, you can’t be promoted.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Coaching a T-ball game.

What was your first job?

Customer service and 1 Hour Photo at Brooks Pharmacy.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? None. I’d let him figure it out for himself.

What moment changed your life more than any other? Transferring my college major from engineering to finance.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Decisiveness … no wait … enthusiasm.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink?

Narragansett Beer and hot wieners.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry?

My college professor from [Roger Williams University], Irving Goss. His banking class and shared career experiences engaged me in the business and [sent] me down a career path in community banking. n

HUGHES |

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? development, implementation and expansion of population health management programs. This has allowed us to provide better care and stay connected with our patients, especially our high-risk populations and with those who have the most need.

What is the best advice you have ever received? There are some things you cannot fix, and that’s OK.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Continuing to take the best care of my patients and collaborating with all my colleagues to optimize primary care here in Rhode Island.

What was your first job? After my 14th birthday, I had my first real job working at Lil’ General Convenient Store stocking shelves.

What advice would you give your 22-yearold self? You may not believe me now, but you can do this.

What moment changed your life more than any other? When a nurse on my very first day of residency at The Hospital of Central Connecticut told me to take a breath and trust yourself, it will always help you do the right thing.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Willingness to accept change, learn from mistakes and work toward bettering myself any chance I can so I can continue to do what is best for others. Fox or MSNBC? MSNBC. n

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Through the COVID-19 pandemic, people’s eating habits and priorities shifted to cooking more at home and being more open to trying new things. We expanded The Town Dock’s retail line to meet that shift and offer more opportunities to make Rhode Island’s famous state appetizer at home, as well as to branch out and try calamari in new center-plate applications.

What is the best advice you have ever received? My dad’s best advice to me was on the importance of setting goals, saying them out loud to hold yourself accountable to them and trusting that you can bounce back from any failure.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Right here at The Town Dock. I love the people I work with and the work we do.

What was your first job? I grew up working in my mom’s bakery doing everything from making dough to making deliveries.

What advice would you give your 22-yearold self? Make more time for art.

What moment changed your life more than any other? During an exceptionally difficult time in my life, my family and friends surrounded me with an outpouring of love and steadfast support that was an amazing reminder of human goodness. That experience is a blessing I will always carry with me.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Calamari.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “Ted Lasso.” Fox or MSNBC? MSNBC. n

THE PROP Sheryl Guglielmo holds a construction hat while sporting both boots and high heels, representing women in a maledominated industry.

DR. KRISTEN HUBBARD

38 ASSOCIATE MEDICAL DIRECTOR COASTAL MEDICAL PHYSICIANS

BRIANNA

38 VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS, SUPPLY CHAIN AND QUALITY THE TOWN DOCK

THE PROP Brianna Hughes holds a stuffed squid representing her role and her team at The Town Dock.

THE PROP Steven Hebner holds a vintage banker lamp symbolizing the tradition of safe and sound banking practices. He also wears a watch that was a first wedding anniversary gift from his wife, Mae.

THE PROP Dr. Kristen Hubbard holds her pet miniature pinscher, Mystic.

MEGAN JOHNSON | 38

VICE PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR AND BUSINESS BANKING RELATIONSHIP MANAGER WEBSTER BANK N.A.

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? The COVID-19 pandemic helped the banking industry become more accessible virtually. Five years ago, virtual meetings with clients were not the norm. Today, it’s a normal occurrence and is a convenient way to connect.

What is the best advice you have ever received? My family taught me to do what is right, not what is easy. Strength of character leads us to do the right thing, even when there are easier options. Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself in the same role but more established while continuing to make time for family and traveling the world.

What moment changed your life more than any other? The death of my grandmother. It showed me that life is fragile and that I need to live every day to the fullest without regrets.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? A positive attitude.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? A lobster roll from The Wharf in Warren.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch?

“Schitt’s Creek.”

Fox or MSNBC? MSNBC.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I began my career in banking focusing on consumer clients. As my career developed and grew, I found my passion working with my business clients. I get excited learning about their business and finding out why they are passionate about what they do. n

MORGAN JONES-CHAMPLIN | 37

HUMAN RESOURCES INFORMATION SYSTEM BUSINESS OPERATIONS LEAD AND WOMEN’S EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP FOUNDER

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years?

explosion in hiring demand – Electric Boat shipbuilding contracts require us to hire 8,000 people between 2022 and 2024 in both Rhode Island and Connecticut – and the deliberate, focused and impactful evolution of our people metrics.

What is the best advice you have ever received? You are responsible for the choices and actions of one person in this world: you. So do the best you possibly can and don’t ever let someone else’s mistakes or poor decisions become your burden to bear.

What was your first job? Technically babysitting, but my first “real” job was at 14 years old working in a swimwear and souvenir shop on Misquamicut Beach.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Be single. Stay single for a while. Learn to truly love and accept yourself first.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? My lifelong Rhody girl answer: Del’s [lemonade] and chilled lobster salad over greens. My current Rhody girl answer: Red Rooster Marg from High Hope Tavern and Behan Family Farms Ninigret nectar oysters. Fox or MSNBC? New York Times or BBC News.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? Truth be told, I wasn’t quite sure where I’d land post-college. I extended myself and took a leap of faith applying to an HRIS role in 2013, and with some amazingly inspiring and supportive female mentors, I am flourishing and continuing to grow in the HR systems and operations space today. n

THE PROP Megan Johnson holds a pair of glass birds from Heritage Gifts & Glass Studio in Warwick, where she took fused glass classes.

Morgan Jones-Champlin holds a sign that names aspects of her hometown of Westerly.

ALLISON KRAUSE | 39

SENIOR ASSOCIATE DARROWEVERETT LLP

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? COVID-19 has substantially impacted the real estate market. From bidding wars and low interest rates to surging prices and exponentially higher interest rates, and an increased demand for homes with less inventory, it’s been a whirlwind. That said, real estate is always cyclical.

What is the best advice you have ever received? “Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark.” – Jay

Danzie

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself involved in more leadership roles at work and in the community. Leadership doesn’t end when you walk out of the office.

What was your first job?

I was a camp counselor for Moses Brown School’s Rise summer camp program with 3–5-year-olds.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Loyalty and effective communication with clients (in English or Spanish).

Attorneys talk for a living, but achieving a desired result requires much more.

Fox or MSNBC? PBN.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I attempted to avoid my inevitable fate of becoming an attorney, working in New York for several years prior, but it was the urge of wanting to help others in a meaningful way that led me here. n

NICHOLAS LORING | 39

CEO AND MANAGING PARTNER LORING ADVISORY GROUP

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? The opportunities to reach people that have been unlocked with the virtual capabilities brought to light during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is the best advice you have ever received? The most powerful currency one has is their reputation. Never trade it for anything. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Leading a multifaceted firm into new professional challenges, while attempting to maintain a status quo of good father and husband, all in spite of a triple bogey on 18.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Maintain perspective; things can always get worse.

What moment changed your life more than any other?

11, 2001. Without that day, I would have never applied for an Army ROTC scholarship and began my career in the military.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job?

My ability to relate to others and the enjoyment of developing close relationships with them.

Fox or MSNBC? CNBC during the week; ESPN on the weekend.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I have parents who are financial planners. It’s in the DNA.

BRYAN LIESE |

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS CARE NEW ENGLAND MEDICAL SYSTEM

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Health care is always changing, but one of the more exciting changes that I’ve seen over the past five years is the momentum toward value-based payment models. These models reward health care organizations and clinicians for delivering high-quality and efficient care to patients. What is the best advice you have ever received? Someone told me very early in my career to never say “no” to new opportunities or when someone asks you to take on additional responsibilities.

What was your first job? I was a paperboy and delivered the Kent County Daily Times.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Compounding interest is real and powerful, so start investing now.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Is there anything better than an Iggy’s doughboy?

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “Top Chef.” Fox or MSNBC? MSNBC.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry?

I didn’t have any specific plans to work in the health care industry, but I did an internship in college at a health care system and really enjoyed the work. I guess the rest is history. n

Neighborhood is proud of Talia’s accomplishments as well as her dedication to the growth of our organization. A well-deserved honor!

THE PROP Nicholas Loring holds pictures of his family and his staff at his firm, as well as an American flag that flew over his military base during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

THE PROP Allison Krause poses with a guitar, as she says music inspires her; a yoga mat that helps her stay grounded; and a photo of her and her puppy.

THE PROP Bryan Liese holds

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? COVID-19 pushed the need for telehealth and access to mental health services to the forefront of everyone’s priority list.

Mental health historically has been underfunded and majorly stigmatized.

What is the best advice you have ever received? My guidance counselor once told me I would never go to an expensive school, much less law school. I remember the day I brought in my early acceptance letter from Roger Williams University where they offered to pay for my tuition and left it on her desk. Hope she’s following me on Facebook.

What was your first job? I worked at Bakers selling (and buying) shoes.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? No one cares. There is no need to impress people with looks or expensive handbags. Do what makes you happy, and you will succeed in everything you do. What moment changed your life more than any other? I was 7 years old, and my mother was going into a new radiation therapy for her brain tumor. I remember hearing the complicated medical terms he was saying to her, and how she had blanket faith in this physician, trusting that his treatment would be successful. He eventually became the chief neurosurgeon for Lifespan [Corp.] and helped reduce the size or eliminate completely so many brain tumors in his career.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Cookies and cream Awful-Awful with a gagger all the way. n

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Nursing has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic; nursing shortages have been pervasive and challenging to address. Stress from the pandemic, an aging workforce and diminished faculty to educate future nurses have caused the current nursing shortage. We are trying to rapidly innovate to recruit and retain the best and brightest nursing talent to deliver direct care at the bedside.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Never stop learning.

Whether it be reading the news, watching a documentary – whatever I have time for, even if it is something small – I try to learn something new every day.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself working with others locally, regionally and nationally to help create better work environments for nurses.

THE PROP Ara Millette wears a pin from the American Nurses Association Hill Day in Washington, D.C., and a stethoscope she used while practicing bedside.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Go skydiving in your 20s, it’s a one-of-a-kind thrill!

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “The Arnold” docuseries on Netflix and he gave some great advice: “If you’re always hungry, you’re never really satisfied.” Fox or MSNBC? NPR or The New York Times. What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I was actually led to my field by a college roommate. I was undecided my freshman year and lived with a nursing major whose mom was also a nurse. Together, they convinced me that nursing was the right career for me. n

PROP Maribel EcheverryMcLaughlin with a French press, coffee mug, and her puppy, Fiona.

KIMBERLY MITTELSTEADT | 37

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR UNIVERSITY ORTHOPEDICS INC.

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? One pivotal change that really comes to mind is the improvement of speedier and easier access to health care providers. Technology has also been a game changer for health care by recently adding telehealth as an option for patients to consult with their provider, without always having to visit an office.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Never say “that is not my job.” Taking on additional responsibilities provided me with opportunities to learn something new and opened new doors for me.

What was your first job? Babysitter to two toddlers. What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Establish a strong investment and money-saving approach and enroll in your employer’s 401(k) plan. Visit and travel the world as much as possible.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? My ability to stay objective while being an adaptable change agent.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Clam chowder.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “Ted Lasso.” Fox or MSNBC? NPR.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I have always had the desire to do something that was going to help and impact others, which is why I majored in psychology. Given my background and current industry exposure, I feel I am living the best of both worlds. n

MONSURAT OTTUN | 39

MANAGER OF PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGY

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS INTERNATIONAL LTD.

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? The increase in the use of generative artificial intelligence and thinking about how to incorporate data privacy and protection by design into product build versus waiting until after the fact to troubleshoot privacy and data protection concerns.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Know who you are, love who you are, love what you do and how you do it. Fall in love with your mistakes and the way you learn and the pace at which you learn.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Trust yourself more. It matters more than you think. Don’t

What moment changed your life more than Saying yes to the world of cybersecurity.

From this, I have had the opportunity to really learn a lot about myself, to contribute a lot through strategy, innovation and problem-solving.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Perspective. I add a legal perspective to cybersecurity but also a strategic and problem-solving perspective, which makes me creative and ultimately an asset in this space.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? A friend of mine made mention of a cyber program that she thought I would be interested in and introduced me to the director of that program. The rest is history.

JACLYN MORROCCO | 38

MANAGING DIRECTOR, AUDIT KPMG LLP

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? The reduction in accounting graduates, which is creating a smaller pipeline for new hires. Public accounting is a very rewarding career path and opens a lot of doors, so it’s up to us in the industry to get that message across as soon in the students’ academic career as possible.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to be admitted to the partnership and lead the financial services audit practice in KPMG’s Providence office, while continuing to both develop and mentor others at the firm and find innovative ways to help our clients.

What was your first job? A performer doing children’s musical theater, touring around New England for many summers as a kid. My first “real” job was as a bank teller while I was in college.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Have fun, don’t take yourself too seriously and live in the moment!

What moment changed your life more than any other? Professionally, it was COVID-19. Working in a hybrid environment these past few years has done wonders for my mental health because I can be more present for my family, while still successfully leading my audit teams and providing highquality service to my clients.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Hot wieners “all the way” and a glass of coffee milk.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “Succession.” n

THE PROP Kimberly Mittelsteadt with ballet shoes, a basketball and a soccer ball, signifying her love and support for her daughter and two nephews.

THE PROP Jaclyn Morrocco holds a photo of her and her son, Daniel, after his preschool graduation last year.

THE PROP Monsurat Ottun with her self-care kit: a “Hug Me” bear for when stress and anxiety hit, two of her own paintings, affirmation coloring books, and a MOCCA binder, which is work that she does for herself.

WCCU is extremely proud of Andrew and all the young talent that embody Rhode Island.

STEFAN PETRELLA | 36

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT STARKWEATHER & SHEPLEY INSURANCE BROKERAGE INC.

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? The evolution of technology, as well as realizing the value of relationships. The landscape has changed where we were at events nightly, weekly lunches, etc. Now there are more meetings on Zoom, texting with clients and a decent amount of events.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Control your controllables. Rather than trying to get ahead continually, control what is right in front of you, work on what you know and then grow from it.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Continually growing as a leader. I’d like to move into senior leadership at our firm, as well as continue to be a leader nationally in the arts community.

What was your first job? I worked as an usher for Showcase Cinemas. What moment changed your life more than any other? Working on Lady Gaga’s Fame Ball Tour during my internship in college. I had real-life experience, a taste of the arts community and the realization that I would have to work even harder to get where I wanted to go. Once the internship ended, it was back to reality and you realize that your dreams are not just given to you.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? I believe that I am fearless. I am not afraid to hear no. Fox or MSNBC? Fox. n

JOE RAPOSO | SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER SITE SPECIFIC LLC

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Material cost increases and supply chain issues. Since [the] COVID-19 [pandemic], the price of materials has risen significantly, but not only have material prices increased, so has the lead time associated with receiving the material.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and work hard.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself taking the next step in my career, passing my knowledge onto the next generation of graduates coming into the industry.

What was your first job? Cashier, bagger and carts at a local grocery store in New York.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Don’t be afraid to ask questions, you don’t know everything.

What moment changed your life more than any other? The birth of our first son. It was at that moment I knew things would never be the same in the best way possible.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? I show up with a positive attitude and a great work ethic.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “Ted Lasso.”

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? Growing up I idolized my grandfather, who was a carpenter. I would always go to different jobs with him and would be his “helper.” He is the reason I fell in love with construction and ultimately chose to pursue it as my career. n

CHRISTEN ROBBINS | 39

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER AND PRINCIPAL BL COMPANIES INC.

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? The most significant change was the impact from navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Although remote working brought a lot of advantages, it impacted how we lead a team. Architecture is all about collaboration, and there were fewer accidental encounters that brought forth better ideas and faster development of younger staff. We had to figure out how best to mentor when not in the office.

Congratulations to Daniela Fairchild-Frydryk, chief strategy officer with Rhode Island Commerce, on her well-deserved recognition on this year’s 40 Under Forty list!

Congratulationsto

DanielaFairchild-Frydryk, chief strategy officer with Rhode Island Commerce, on her well-deservedrecognitionon this year’s 40 Under Forty list!

www.CommerceRI.com

www.CommerceRI.com

Where do you see yourself in five years? With more challenges, leading a bigger team and dealing with teenage drama.

What was your first job? Working as a sales associate at a jewelry store. It was a rewarding experience that helped me grow as a young professional.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? You don’t know everything, and that’s OK. Always ask questions, and it’s OK to ask for help, no matter where you’re at in your career.

What moment changed your life more than any other? Having my first daughter, then having my second. With the first, I had to learn how to be a mom and a businesswoman. With the second, I decided to go for my master’s [degree] about the same time.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? I’m willing to take the time to help anyone who asks. n

THE PROP Stefan Petrella holds a Tony award and playbills. He works within the arts and entertainment space, with clients from Rhode Island to Broadway in New York.

THE PROP Joe Raposo holds a construction hard hat and wears his grandfather’s 25-year union carpentry pin.

THE PROP Christen Robbins poses with her first architecture license along with her daughters, Alexis, 9, and Mackenzie, 5.

CAROLINA

ROBERTS-SANTANA

DIRECTOR OF PEDIATRIC RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATION WOMEN & INFANTS HOSPITAL

| 39

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Health care research has advanced significantly with the introduction of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics. These technologies have enabled researchers to more quickly and accurately identify patterns and correlations in large data sets, allowing for more-accurate diagnoses and treatments.

What is the best advice you have ever received? It was to always stay true to myself, no matter what. It has helped me to remain authentic and stay focused on my goals. It has also helped me to prioritize what is important in life and to stay away from things that will take me away from my path.

What was your first job? It was when I was 14 years old. I taught English to K-3 grade students at an Episcopal school in the Dominican Republic. My passion for education started then. The students were fun to teach, and I enjoyed watching their progress.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? I’d tell myself to remember that it’s OK to not be OK, that kindness is almost as important as anything else and to never forget to raise the bar, always.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? I strive to make sure that my work has a purpose and will provide a positive result. I am a detail-oriented and methodical worker. n

ANDREW ROGERS | 38

VICE

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? Continuing advancements in technology, including [artificial intelligence]. Partnering with and learning from the fintech industry helps to ensure community financial institutions adapt and maintain their competitive advantages.

What is the best advice you have ever received? “Life is precious, live it well.” –

Joseph Cugini

Where do you see yourself in five years? By that time, I will have three children [younger than] 10, so undoubtedly having a lot of fun with them! As for my career, I enjoy what I do each day – helping people achieve financial success.

What was your first job? I worked at a golf course in southern Rhode Island. During the day I would assist in the pro shop, clean golf carts, and in the evenings wash dishes at the restaurant.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? I really enjoy watching younger staff members grow into their potential and succeed.

Fox or MSNBC? The Weather Channel.

CONGRATULATIONS! Sheryl Guglielmo

40 UNDER 40 HONOREE

DiPrete Engineering is honored to work with Sheryl. We thank her for all of her hard work & dedication throughout the years!

THE PROP Andrew Rogers poses with his children, Nellie, 4, and Charlie, 18 months. The family is expecting another child in September.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I began working at the Westerly Community Credit Union as a high school intern in my junior year. The internship was a great opportunity to learn from professionals, hands-on, at an early age. I have now been there for 22 years. From Day 1, I learned the credit union way, “People Helping People.” n

SENIOR

PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER WESTERLY COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION

THE PROP Carolina RobertsSantana holds a laptop she regularly uses while at Women & Infants Hospital.

DR. ANKUR SHAH | 36

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? It’s hard to point to anything other than the COVID-19 pandemic; in many ways it’s hard to imagine health care will ever be the same. People with kidney disease, and particularly those on dialysis, were affected more than most.

What is the best advice you have ever received? If a system isn’t working or is unfair, you can complain, but also work to fix the system. What was your first job? A summer internship working as a docent at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, N.J. I helped with ticketing in the IMAX theater and as a surprise benefit was able to watch all the shows that

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Make sure to stop and enjoy the process, reflect every so often on how the present was once the past’s aspirations.

What moment changed your life more than any other? The moment I met my wife, Courtney. Without her at my side, life wouldn’t be complete.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? A slice of Death by Chocolate [cake] from Gregg’s [Restaurant] wins, but there is a lot of competition!

Fox or MSNBC? Reddit.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? As a medical student, my first exposure to nephrology demonstrated the immense burden of kidney disease on the

NICK SLOCUM | 38 VICE PRESIDENT AND TEAM LEADER

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? real estate industry has become a highly imbalanced seller’s market where the total number of buyers far outweighs the number of sellers. This has created an environment where appreciating prices and multiple-offer situations are the norm.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Professionally, leading one of the top teams in the state helping local sellers and buyers navigate the market and being involved in our local industry associations. Personally, traveling the world with my amazing family, even if it’s just to see them play sports every weekend.

What was your first job? Behind the counter at Hollywood Video.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? To balance your focus not just on sales but also on industry involvement and charitable activities. They provide a fulfilling and rewarding sense of purpose beyond transactions.

What moment changed your life more than any other? It occurred during a pair of open houses. My dad, also a real estate agent, made a connection with an unrepresented buyer at his open house and encouraged her to visit mine nearby. She pulled up briefly but didn’t come in. Luckily, my dad maintained the relationship, and this buyer ended up working with us. I was a fresh face in the business, covering for my dad whenever I could. This buyer didn’t just buy a house; she eventually became my wife. Today, we have two amazing daughters, Lily, 11, and Lucy, 6. They are the reason behind everything I do. n

BRYAN TESTEN | 37

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, GLOBAL LOTTERY SUPPLY CHAIN AND SERVICES INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY PLC

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? The ongoing adoption of internet wagering in the U.S. marks major progress in policy-setting for state governments. Whether it is lottery, gaming or sports betting, adoption of this sales channel is a significant opportunity to responsibly engage a player demographic that has grown up with the internet at their fingertips. Where do you see yourself in five years? As technologies advance and new challenges arise, I hope to play a key role in implementing automation, driving operational efficiencies and creating more value for IGT. What was your first job? With my local school district at age 16, painting endless cinderblock hallways all summer long. What moment changed your life more than My father [died] when I was 7 years old, which was difficult for my brothers and I but surely most difficult on my mother. The silver lining was that it helped shape who I am today. I gained a sense of responsibility from a very young age, and I learned to work hard for anything I want. What led you to pursuing a career in your current I started at the company when it was GTECH in 2007 as an intern during my junior year at [the University of Rhode Island]. I knew little about the lottery industry at the time but after 16 years with IGT, I continue to find the industry to be unique and interesting. I think it also says a lot about both the industry and IGT that individuals spend many years here.

NEPHROLOGIST BROWN PHYSICIANS INC.

THE PROP Bryan Testen holds a firefighter’s helmet and a coat. He serves as chairman of the Coventry Fire District’s board of directors.

THE PROP Dr. Ankur Shah holds a plush kidney he uses for display in his office.

THE PROP Nick Slocum holds a “Welcome Home!” sign to represent his real estate profession, and a golf club to represent his leisure.

What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? The marketing industry has undergone significant transformations driven by technological advancements and changing consumer behavior. Digital marketing has become even more prominent, with a shift toward personalized and data-driven strategies. The rise of social media platforms and influencer marketing has revolutionized brand communication, enabling direct engagement with consumers and fostering authenticity.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I’ll deliver increased value by spending more time on the business than in the business. I’ll continue leveraging my experience and interest in marketing strategy and execution to help companies achieve their goals, while building and coaching highperforming teams.

What was your first job? Starting at age 14, I was the choreographer for a youth musical theater company.

What moment changed your life more than any other?

Choosing to become a Christian in my early 20s really changed the way I view the world, my place in it and how I approach relationships.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Putting people first and operating with integrity.

What was your last streaming or cable binge

“From” on Amazon Prime.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I’ve always been fascinated by marketing and consumer behavior. The craft of meeting people where they are with the right combination of words and graphics to evoke emotion and action. Part science, part art. n

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What have been the most significant changes in your industry in the last five years? 2019, the [U.S.] Department of Veterans Affairs completely overhauled the way it processes veterans’ disability claims. This was meant to simplify the process and give veterans more choice and control over how they pursue their claims and appeals. Veterans who were familiar with the old system are now confused and frustrated. Attorneys and advocates have had to learn a whole new appeals system and reframe their strategies to ensure they’re sufficiently representing their clients’ interests.

What is the best advice you have ever received? My dad always said, “Don’t party until you’ve accomplished something.”

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Right here at CCK.

What was your first job? I babysat all through high school. In college I worked as a receptionist at a car dealership during the 2008 recession and worked as a waitress. What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Be patient, take opportunities presented even if they’re scary and read a hornbook before starting law school.

Fox or MSNBC? MSNBC.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I went to law school because I wanted to help people obtain access to justice. As I gained experience, I narrowed that focus to public interest litigation with a focus on administrative law. I love legal writing and statutory and regulatory interpretation, but I also love talking to real people whose lives are affected by these complicated laws. n

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