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JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022

FOCUS: ENGINEERING Brown students’ satellite in orbit on shoestring | 24

ONE LAST THING

Justin Sadler Find the better way | 34

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A RANK AND FILE REVIVAL

URI beefs up computing power to aid research

BY TIM NORTON | Contributing Writer

IN GAURAV KHANNA’S WORLD, access to cutting-edge, highperformance computers can open up countless possibilities.

Khanna is a physics professor at the University of Rhode Island, studying mind-bending subjects such as black holes and gravitational waves.

But he’s also the URI director of research computing, and he’s excited about the possibilities open to him and other researchers at URI now that the university has become the first academic institution outside

FOCUS: EDUCATION

Massachusetts to join the Massachusetts Green High-Performance

New labor movement hits R.I.

SEE URI PAGE 19

BY MARC LAROCQUE | Contributing Writer

STARBUCKS

CUSTOMERS SWINGING THROUGH

the drive-thru on a June morning in Warwick were greeted by something many weren’t expecting: a group of baristas and others holding signs with messages such as “Grind coffee, not workers” and “I want my coffee union made.”

It was an informational picket line ahead of a crucial vote for the 17 employees of the Starbucks Corp. outlet in a busy shopping plaza off Route 2 – a vote on whether they should unionize.

Many drivers beeped horns in support, pumped fists or rolled down their windows to let out a cheer.

Cassie Burke, 23, a Starbucks employee and organizer of the union effort, was among those holding signs. And she wasn’t hiding her frustration.

SEE LABOR

PAGE 12

STRONG SUPPORTERS: Autumn Guillotte, left, organizer at the Rhode Island AFL-CIO; David MolinaHernandez, organizer at Fueza El Laboral; and Kristy Eiland, volunteer, show their support for Starbucks Corp. employees at a Warwick store off Route 2 to form a union prior to the employees’ vote in early June.

PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

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SPECIAL SECTION

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CONTENTS

PBN

COVER STORY A RANK AND FILE REVIVAL

New labor movement hits R.I. .............................................1

FOR STARTERS:

400 Westminster St. Providence, RI 02903

5Q: Ashley Medeiros ...............................................................4 Dining Out: Calamari for days ................................................5 Spotlight: Meridian Printing Inc. ............................................6 Something New: Odds and Errands LLC ...............................6 Hot Topic: Help on way for MBE program? ...........................7 Health Matters: $28M project to make delivery room ‘homelike’ ..................8 Another Look: Home solar market heats up; other projects clouded...........9 What’s Happening ................................................................. 10 Some schools erecting housing for teachers ...................... 15

Main Phone: 401-273-2201 Subscription Services: 855-813-5805

5Q | 4

IT’S PERSONAL:

President & Publisher: Roger C. Bergenheim 680-4848 | Publisher@PBN.com

ADVERTISING

Advertising@PBN.com | Fax: 401-274-0270 Director of Sales and Marketing: Annemarie Brisson 680-4800 | Brisson@PBN.com

People in the News ...............................................................28 Mackay’s Moral .....................................................................29 Guest Column: David Soll . .................................................. 30 Guest Column: Suzanne McLeod......................................... 30 Editorials and Opinion ..........................................................32 One Last Thing: Justin Sadler ..............................................34

Marketing and Events Manager: Donna Rofino, 680-4832 | Rofino@PBN.com Marketing, Events & Social Media Coordinator: Tracy Hoyt, 680-4818 | Hoyt@PBN.com

FOCUS: EDUCATION

Senior Account Managers: Linda Foster, 680-4812 | Foster@PBN.com

Computing power at URI taking leaps ahead The University of Rhode Island is the first academic institution outside the Bay State to join the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center, affording it new research opportunities. ................................ 1

Jim Hanrahan 680-4816 | Hanrahan@PBN.com Noreen Murray 680-4801 | Murray@PBN.com

Prepping for both science, business sides of health Bryant University recently launched the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, which will combine physical and behavioral health sciences with business and data analytics. ........................................ 18

HEALTH MATTERS | 8

Advertising Coordinator: Joyce Rylander 680-4810 | Production@PBN.com

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

FOCUS: ENGINEERING

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

Hurricane barrier needs upgrades, groups warn Environmental groups have warned the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier in Providence needs short-term fixes and may need to be replaced to improve its long-term effectiveness. ......22

Web Editor: Chip LeClerc, 680-4886 | LeClerc@PBN.com Copy Editor: Matt Bower, 680-4824 | Bower@PBN.com

Brown students’ satellite in orbit on shoestring A team of undergraduate and graduate students from Brown University’s School of Engineering has successfully launched a satellite designed and built on a tight budget..24

Special Projects Editor/Researcher: James Bessette 680-4838 | Bessette@PBN.com

Colleges & Universities ....................................................... 20

FOCUS: EDUCATION | 18

Engineering Firms .................................................................26

(EDUCATION, NONPROFITS)

Staff Writers: Claudia Chiappa 680-4830 | Chiappa@PBN.com (HEALTH CARE, GOVERNMENT, REAL ESTATE/DEVELOPMENT)

THIS WEEK’S FEATURED COMPANIES Brown Physicians Inc. .............................................. 18

Lifespan Corp. ........................................................... 8

Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns ............. 9

Nancy Lavin 680-4822 | Lavin@PBN.com

Brown University ................................................. 8, 24

Lockheed Martin Corp. ........................................... 25

R.I. Department of Education .................................. 7

(CITY GOVERNMENT, ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES)

Bryant University ..................................................... 18

Meridian Printing Inc. ............................................... 6

R.I. Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity ..... 7

Care New England Health System .......................... 8

Narragansett Bay Commission .............................. 22

R.I. Office of the Attorney General .......................... 7

Cassarino’s ................................................................. 5

Navigant Credit Union .............................................. 5

Roger Williams Park Zoo ........................................ 28

Circe ........................................................................... 5

Ocean State Cultivation Center .............................. 12

Roger Williams University ....................................... 14

CUPS Cooperative Inc. ............................................ 14

Odds and Errands LLC ............................................. 6

Seven Stars Bakery .................................................. 12

E2SOL LLC ................................................................. 9

OSHEAN Inc. ............................................................ 19

Teamsters Local 251 ................................................ 14

Evergreen Solar Inc. .................................................. 9

Providence College .................................................. 18

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 328 ... 14

Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce ......... 14

Providence Warwick

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth ............... 19

PBN@cambeywest.com | 1-855-813-5805

Green Development LLC .......................................... 9

Convention & Visitors Bureau .............................. 5

University of Rhode Island .................................. 1, 12

Revity Energy LLC ..................................................... 9

ADMINISTRATION

Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center Inc. .......... 14

Whelan Corrente & Flanders LLP ........................... 12

ISM Solar Development LLC .................................... 9

Rhode Island Black Business Association ............. 7

White Electric Coffee ............................................... 14

Jay Packaging Group Inc. ....................................... 12

Rhode Island

Women & Infants Hospital ................................. 8, 18

Johnson & Wales University ................................... 14

Building and Construction Trades Council ........ 12

WHAT’S HAPPENING? SUBMIT YOUR NEWS AT PBN.COM/PBNCONNECT/

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Jacquelyn Voghel 680-4828 | Voghel@PBN.com (WORKFORCE, MANUFACTURING, ENTREPRENEURSHIP)

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Production Director: Anne Ewing, 680-4860 | Ewing@PBN.com Graphic Designer: Lisa Harris, 680-4868 | Lharris@PBN.com

CIRCULATION

Fax: 401-274-6580 Business Manager: Tammy D’Antuono 680-4840 | Dantuono@PBN.com ©2022 Providence Business News Inc.

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

AMGEN IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Thanks to employees who are doing the same.

Amgen is proud to be recognized as a rewarding place to work by the people who work here. In everything we do, Amgen’s highly skilled workforce aims to fulfill our mission to serve patients. Amgen does this by transforming the promise of science and biotechnology into therapies that have the power to restore health or save lives. And every step of the way, we are guided by the values that define us.

Congratulations Amgen for 20 Years in Manufacturing in Rhode Island!

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | 3

FOR STARTERS 5Q: Ashley Medeiros Vice president of program strategy and partnerships, Innovation Studio

BY JACQUELYN VOGHEL | Voghel@PBN.com

1

How has the role of Innovation Studio’s involvement in Rhode Island evolved?

Innovation Studio began in Cambridge, Mass., as the Venture Café Foundation hosting a weekly gathering for innovators. We joined the Rhode Island business resource ecosystem in 2019 to support the Innovation and Design District. … In 2020, we made the strategic decision to change our name to Innovation. Last fall, we departed the Venture Café network and reallocated resources to our programming with a goal of providing more-impactful support to small-business owners and entrepreneurs.

2

What prompted the organization to launch a Rhode Island program?

As a service provider, it is our job to offer resources that are not only necessary and impactful but also community centered. Having a local team ensures we have the knowledge, relationships and experience necessary to provide high-quality programs that meet the specific needs of Rhode Island entrepreneurs, innovators and smallbusiness owners.

3 PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

What role does Innovation Studio play in the startup resource network in Rhode Island?

Innovation Studio fits into the network in two distinct ways. First, we offer programming designed for those new to starting a business. … We teach the basics and use an individualized pathway approach to help each innovator achieve their personal business

ownership goals. Second, through our innovative spaces like the Biz Bodega and our entrepreneurship navigation program, we are ecosystem connectors. … As connectors, we meet with and assess the entrepreneur or business owner and then make a connection to the organization that best meets their individual needs.

4

What are the biggest barriers to entrepreneurship and how does Innovation Studio help startups face these obstacles?

Some of the biggest barriers include a lack of knowledge about the resources available, capital limitations and time. … We reduce barriers by streamlining the process. We are a one-stop-shop where a business owner/entrepreneur can get what they need, when they need it, in the way that works for them.

5

What are your plans for expanding the Biz Bodega programming?

Innovation Studio offers no-cost, 1-2-1 expert advising; networking; workshops; a series called LAUNCH! …

Over the course of four sessions, participants will learn the characteristics necessary to become entrepreneurs.

Additionally, Biz Bodega is used by many organizations to offer mentoring, advising, trainings, workshops, classes and events. n

It is our job to offer resources that are … impactful.

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4 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

FOR STARTERS DINING OUT | BRUCE NEWBURY

Calamari for days THE FIRST RESTAURANT WEEK was created by Tim Zagat and Joe Baum as a lunch-only promotion to coincide with the Democratic National Convention being held in New York City in 1992.

The prospect of many new guests seemed appealing until it was learned the traditional “visitors” were staying away due to the influx of convention delegates who were staying close to the convention site at Madison Square Garden. As it turned out, there were mostly reporters looking for dining bargains.

Baum, who recently passed away, was a top restaurateur at the time. Zagat, with his wife, Nina, started the Zagat Restaurant Guide, the first consumer-driven restaurant review platform. The guide was ubiquitous during the restaurant boom of the ’90s, although a Rhode Island edition never came to pass. On my radio show in the late ’90s, Zagat insisted there “weren’t enough restaurants in the state to create a critical mass.”

The weeklong New York event has not only grown to a four-week event but it has also become a nationwide phenomenon. The original idea was to spotlight a listing of restaurants offering a predetermined menu at a matching price point for each participating location. For several years, the price point was “the price of the year,” such as $19.92 in 1992. That was the standard for many years in Providence, Newport and most locales.

Nowadays, Restaurant Week can last up to a month, and takes place multiple times a year in some cities. Traditionally held in early winter, and then in summer for most cities that lose tourist dollars to resort areas, the phenomenon is still looked upon as one of the most successful marketing programs a restaurant or a restaurant row can put on.

Providence Restaurant Weeks has been produced and supported for the past several years by the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau and sponsored by Navigant Credit Union. Held July 10-23 this year, participating restaurants featured deals and specials for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even all three. They also served signature cocktails, family-sized entrees, specialty products and more.

Calamari, Rhode Island’s official state appetizer, was a “go-to” on several of the restaurants’ offerings, including polenta-crusted calamari with onions, curry leaves, masala spices and tamarind chutney. Masala is a blend of spices that is dependent upon the chef’s palate and whim. The word translates to “mix,” which can be mild, medium or hot. Of all the spices used in the Indian chef’s kitchen, only one is “hot,” as in chili peppers, led by the bhut jolokia, or the “ghost pepper,” which is many times hotter than other chilies.

Federal Hill mainstay Cassarino’s offered calamari “Federal Hill style,” with the traditional pepper rings.

A place that is often talked about and on the list of Providence theatergoers is Circe, which went all out with no fewer than 25 different appetizer items, with just about as many entree selections and combinations, including Point Judith calamari, the “gold standard” on restaurant menus coast to coast.

Although the theme of this year’s edition was to let the creativity of the restauranteurs and chefs at the more than 40 participating eateries throughout the state come up with their own “take” on what was offered to guests, a substantial number of places did not have a specific menu or “Restaurant Week special” until the last minute of opening weekend. According to Providence Warwick Con-

Reservations were fast and furious in early and mid-July statewide.

IN THE MIX: A bartender at Rooftop at the Providence G in downtown Providence pours a cocktail.

The dining spot was one of more than 40 eateries participating in the recent Providence Restaurant Weeks.

COURTESY ROOFTOP AT THE PROVIDENCE G

vention & Visitors Bureau staffers, waiting until the final seconds to commit to menu selections has been the routine the past several years.

Whether it was to get a well-deserved break from the kitchen or simply showing support for Rhode Island’s restaurants, reservations were fast and furious in early and mid-July statewide. n “Dining Out With Bruce Newbury” is broadcast locally on WADK 101.1 FM and 1540 AM and on radio throughout New England. Contact Bruce at bruce@brucenewbury.com.

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We hope to encourage, inspire, and motivate all travelers to make Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport their number one choice for travel today and into the future, helping to support the addition of even more routes and our local economy.

To learn more, visit FlyRI.com

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | 5 EconDev 072022 rebuild.indd 1

7/20/22 11:10 AM

FOR STARTERS SOMETHING NEW

SPOTLIGHT

ONE-STOP SHOP: Kaitlyn Kelly launched Odds and Errands LLC in East Providence to help people complete needed tasks.

PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

Errand service takes off

BY MARC LAROCQUE | Contributing Writer

A NEW BUSINESS based in East Providence is running Rhode Island’s errands and completing tasks for $25 per hour.

Odds and Errands LLC is a small business established recently by an emergency room secretary who saw the need for a service that saves people time with shopping or other tasks, such as store returns, picking up prescriptions, dropping off tuxedo rentals, or waiting on a cable technician or repairman.

“I’m basically a one-stop shop for any type of service that the community needs,” said Kaitlyn Kelly.

Kelly said she was inspired to start the business because she always has friends and family members looking for help with errands, namely her sisters.

And during the planning for her father’s funeral last year, Kelly said she realized how helpful a service like this could be.

Kelly filed to establish a limited liability company last year.

But in the spring, she launched www.youroddsanderrands.com, where customers can schedule tasks and pay in advance, which can also be done over the phone by calling 401-443-0036.

Kelly, who calls herself a “serial entrepreneur” after dabbling with a baked goods business and other ventures, said Odds and Errands is a one-woman show.

But she’d like to change that.

“I’m hoping I can find enough business so I can hire some people,” Kelly said. n

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Robert Nangle, left, owner of Meridian Printing Inc. in East Greenwich, says the significant capital investments required to keep his commercial printing company on the leading edge allow him to serve a diverse customer base, including fine art photography and fine art print services for galleries and museums, as well as the academic and university communities. Nangle is pictured with Executive Vice President Steven Lee. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Meridian presses forward Fine art print services also available

BY TIM NORTON | Contributing Writer

IT HAS BEEN SAID the birth of the print industry was 1436, when goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg combined a screw press and pieces of his invention to make the Gutenberg press, the first printing press to incorporate movable type and mechanized inking.

Robert Nangle, owner of Meridian Printing Inc. in East Greenwich, is continuing that tradition with completely new challenges 586 years later. With 40 employees reporting to him, and a wide variety of commercial and artistic printing projects to deliver each day, Nangle has helped Meridian Printing endure.

Nangle graduated from the University of Rhode Island with an accounting degree in 1982, then worked for a large printing company for several years before moving on to the food industry, where he spent time at Autocrat LLC, now Finlay Extracts and Ingredients USA Inc., in Lincoln, followed by Nature’s Best Dairy in Cranston.

The skills Nangle gained in meeting strict production quotas while managing the employees who helped meet them brought him to Meridian Printing. After rising to vice president of the company, Nangle bought Meridian Printing OWNERS: Robert Nangle and Steven Lee TYPE OF BUSINESS: Commercial printing services

6 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

in 2002.

The capital investments required to keep his company on the leading edge of printing technology are significant, Nangle says. An offset press, which uses a metal plate to transfer the text or image to be printed to a rubber “blanket” that is mounted on heavy iron rollers that do the printing, can cost more than $3 million, Nangle says, while an industrial-grade digital printer, which uses toner or liquid ink, depending on what the printing job calls for, can cost $750,000 or more.

But these investments help Meridian serve a diverse customer base, including commercial printing services for items such as letterheads, brochures and programs.

Meridian Printing also specializes in fine art photography and fine art print services.

“We work with museums and artists,” Nangle said. “The most important parts of my job are having good people skills and multitasking.”

LOCATION: 1538 South County Trail, East Greenwich EMPLOYEES: 40

To augment work done for art galleries and museums, Meridian Printing also serves the academic and university communities.

The company is also committed to the use of clean, renewable energy as part of a responsible corporate approach to doing business, which it accomplishes through a three-pronged approach with its use of paper, electricity and ink.

In the case of paper, Meridian worked with the Forest Stewardship Council to earn its Chain of Custody Certification, representing responsible forest management.

In addition, 100% of the emissions of the power used to operate the facility are offset with credits from certified wind power. In the case of ink, Meridian uses linseed-oil organic inks, and all unusable ink is recycled and shipped back to its ink partner to resell to lower-end printers.

Meridian Printing is open five days a week, but Nangle says “flex” days are often added, depending on the need.

“We have had many of the same employees working here for many years,” Nangle said. “Customers like knowing employees over time and that allows us to serve them better.” n YEAR FOUNDED: 1975 ANNUAL REVENUE: WND

FOR STARTERS HOT TOPIC

Help on way for MBE program?

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

THE STATE IS STILL STRUGGLING to overcome decades of dysfunction around tracking and enforcing its laws for contracting with minority-owned businesses, even after a $500,000 study published a year ago laid bare the problems and offered 22 recommended fixes.

But Tomás Ávila, associate director for the R.I. Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity, which oversees the program, insists that changing attitudes, technology improvements and more than $1 billion worth of school construction projects will help improve and expand the troubled program. Ávila, a longtime leader in the state’s Latino community and a business owner, acknowledges the state Minority Business Enterprise program was in bad shape when he took over last August. The amount of dollars awarded to minority businesses wasn’t being tracked, contractors were being let off the hook too easily and many minority business owners were reluctant to get involved in what seemed like a pointless amount of paperwork.

Indeed, in the 34-year history of the state law requiring that 10% of

contract dollars go to minority- or women-owned businesses, the MBE program has only met that mandate twice, in fiscal 2018 and 2019.

Fixing the problems isn’t a simple or fast process, but Ávila is optimistic. The state is launching an online bid-tracking system next year that will allow his office to more accurately and efficiently keep tabs on dollars awarded to minority businesses. His office is also holding contractors’ feet to the fire when it comes to finding minority subcontractors, no longer

letting them opt out so easily under the “good faith effort” clause. Ávila is also working with the R.I. Department of Education to find major upcoming projects for minority businesses to participate, and he is targeting the $1.3 billion in upcoming school construction projects.

But some aren’t sold on Ávila’s optimism.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think the conversation has changed much,” said Rep. Karen Alzate, D-Pawtucket, who leads the state Legislative Black and Latino Caucus. “We like to window dress a lot of things. We gave money [for the study], but there’s still not a lot of follow-up.”

The study called for better enforcement of penalties for contractors who fail to meet the 10% minoritybusiness participation requirement.

‘A year later, we’re still talking about enforcement.’

LISA RANGLIN, Rhode Island Black Business Association executive director

Ávila, in a document submitted to the General Assembly earlier this year, stated that no further action was needed, referring to the existing state law that gives the director of administration the power to suspend payments, revoke contracts and deny participation in future projects.

When questioned by PBN about this response, Ávila acknowledged that these punishments are not happening.

Without sanctions, Lisa Ranglin, executive director for the Rhode Island Black Business Association, sees little hope of improving the program.

“A year later, we’re still talking about enforcement, and nothing has been put in place to ensure it happens,” she said.

Ranglin has asked the R.I. Office of the Attorney General to get involved and bring charges against those who aren’t following the law.

The attorney general’s office would be happy to meet with her, spokesperson Brian Hodge told PBN. But he also noted that the state law gives the director of administration, not the attorney general, the power to crack down on vendors who don’t obey the 10% requirement. n

SAVE THE DATE August 18 | Aldrich Mansion | 5:30–8:00pm

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS Toby Ayers,

Rhode Island for Community Justice executive director

Stuart Benton,

James “Jim” Donahue,

Old Sturbridge Village/Coggeshall Farm Museum CEO and president

Thomas Eagan,

Mary Jo “MJ” Kaplan, Kaplan Consulting LLC founder and CEO

Dr. Martha Mainiero,

Bradford Soap Works Inc. CEO and president

Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP director of finance and administration

Rhode Island Medical Imaging Inc.

David Currie,

Elizabeth Eckel,

Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island CEO and president

Renee Evangelista,

International Game Technology PLC systems engineer

Lori Giuttari,

Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort and Bally’s Tiverton Casino Hotel SVP | RI regulatory and general manager

Province Mortgage Associates Inc. president

Karen G. DelPonte,

Cameron & Mittleman LLP partner

Daniel DiMase,

Aerocyonics Inc. CEO and president

The Washington Trust Co. SVP, chief marketing and communications officer Day Pitney LLP managing partner

Visual Thrive LLC chief marketing officer

Peter Marino,

Bruce Parkes, Craig Sculos,

Kristen Sloan Maccini, Key Mediation LLC co-founder

Wendy Taylor,

West Place Animal Sanctuary founder and executive director

Michelle Wilcox,

Crossroads Rhode Island president

Jodie Woodruff,

Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Education director of innovation

Jamie Worrell,

Strategic Retirement Partners LLC co-founder and managing director

Stephen Zubiago,

Nixon Peabody LLP CEO and managing partner

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FOR STARTERS | HEALTH MATTERS

$28M project to make delivery rooms ‘homelike’

BY CLAUDIA CHIAPPA | Chiappa@PBN.com

THE

delivery rooms at Women & Infants Hospital have been feeling a little cramped in recent years.

Expectant mothers ready to give birth often find themselves in rooms crowded with monitors and other equipment to track the vital signs of mother and baby as labor progresses. As the birth moves closer, the room gets busier with nurses, technicians and doctors flowing in and out. Fathers-to-be and other relatives also gather to welcome the new family member into the world.

Not exactly ideal in a 220-square-foot room.

That’s part of the reason why Women & Infants Hospital is embarking on building a new $28 million labor and delivery unit, the first major redesign in 36 years for the W&I ward.

Among the changes: each of the 20 delivery rooms will nearly double in size, and each will have a window and contain furniture to make the room feel homey and comfortable, while also allowing for other amenities to support more-modern approaches to giving birth.

“Our current space was built over 30

years ago,” said Dr. Methodius Tuuli, executive chief of obstetrics and gynecology for Women & Infants and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School. “It was state-ofthe-art at the time. But in 30 years, a lot has changed.”

Construction is expected to start later this year and will be completed in 18 months, the hospital says. But the existing delivery rooms will remain open while the work is underway.

Women & Infants, which is operated by nonprofit Care New England Health System, has launched a fundraising campaign with a $33 million goal, $5 million of which would be set aside for the creation of a Women’s Health Research Institute that would provide seed money to early- and mid-career researchers.

So far, the initiative has raised more than $12 million.

Women & Infants administrators note that the reconstruction of the labor and delivery wing will have a wideranging impact on people in the region.

The hospital, the ninth-largest

ENHANCED ­DELIVERY: Women & Infants Hospital is embarking on a $28 million project to build a new labor and delivery unit with larger delivery rooms, all of which will have furniture, a private bathroom and a window to the outside.

COURTESY WOMEN & INFANTS HOSPITAL

‘There isn’t a project that touches as many lives as this one.’

SHANNON SULLIVAN, Women & Infants Hospital president and chief operating officer 8 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

standalone obstetrical service in the country, records about 8,500 births a year, and most expectant mothers in Rhode Island give birth at Women & Infants.

“Almost every family has had their children here, their grandchildren here, or known someone who has,” said Shannon Sullivan, W&I president and chief operating officer. “There isn’t a project that touches as many lives as this one.”

Yet Care New England, the secondlargest health system in Rhode Island, has struggled financially in recent years, most recently posting a $35 million loss in the first half of fiscal 2022.

After several failed attempts to merge with other institutions in recent years, including a merger attempt with the state’s largest hospital group, Lifespan Corp., the CNE board of directors voted on July 5 to remain independent.

That decision was made in part because of the financial help included in the state’s fiscal 2023 budget, which allocated $45 million in American Rescue Plan Act money to hospitals and increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for labor and delivery services by 20%.

Meanwhile, Women & Infants is pushing ahead with the labor and delivery unit project because the existing facility – constructed in 1986 – is showing its age.

Only three of the 20 delivery rooms have windows and most have shared bathrooms.

Aside from the expectant mother’s bed, there isn’t much room for comfort among family members or much space for modern birth approaches such as using an exercise ball to ease labor pains or receiving guidance from a doula.

The renovation will update equipment and enlarge the delivery rooms from 220 square feet to 400 square feet.

It will also ensure that all delivery rooms have a private bathroom and a window to the outside.

“You want the rooms to be aesthetically pleasing so that it’s more homelike,” Tuuli said.

Rooms and hallways will be arranged to ensure “flow” for the dozens of health care workers who participate in deliveries.

One of the priorities, Tuuli and Sullivan say, is to ensure equity – all the rooms will look the same and have the same equipment and features after the renovation. This not only ensures equity but also means every room will have the space and equipment necessary to meet the needs of the patient, no matter the circumstances.

“We want to ensure that these rooms can keep up with patients from low risk to high risk,” Tuuli said.

“You can’t tell who will have complications, so with these rooms, we can always deliver the best care.”

Because construction mostly will take place in an addition on what is now a parking lot, there will be nearly no disruption to the unit’s operations.

“The only time the current labor rooms will be impacted is when we come through the wall to attach the new unit to the building,” Sullivan said. n

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PROVIDENCE – The phone hasn’t stopped ringing lately at Evergreen Solar Inc.’s Pawtucket office.

And Brian Fabiano, co-president, doesn’t expect it to quiet down anytime soon.

Soaring electricity prices are heating up Rhode Island’s residential solar market like never before, and his company is among those reaping the benefits.

“We’re seeing three times the amount of customers this summer than we did a year ago,” he said.

But the sun isn’t shining so brightly for the developers who specialize in sprawling solar fields for commercial and community use, and they say red tape at the state and local level is holding them back.

A new law prevents cities and towns from charging higher property tax rates on land where renewable energy projects such as solar arrays are built.

Proponents, including solar developers Revity Energy LLC and Green Development LLC, say the legislation is simply a clarification of a 2017 law establishing rules around solar taxation, which some town tax assessors had not been following. But the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns fought back, insisting in written testimony that it was unfair to give special tax treatment to renewable energy projects when any other development built on open land would be subject to higher property tax rates.

The conflict over the new law is the latest in a series of tensions over the large-scale solar arrays that began taking over open space in cities and towns across the state several years ago.

E2SOL LLC owner Anthony Baro said his company is on track to install 2 megawatts worth of solar this year – double the amount done last year. He chalked up the solar surge to federal tax credits that are set to diminish from 26% to 22% next year and increasing demand for alternative electricity sources.

That electricity prices are also soaring, with predictions that the already steep rates will grow even more expensive later this year, also has customers considering alternatives.

ISO New England Inc., a regional nonprofit that oversees most of the area’s electric power distribution, named future wholesale and retail electricity costs as one of several drivers of potential solar growth in a 2022 report forecasting the industry’s future. Other factors include state financial incentives and programs for different types of solar projects, such as virtual net metering and community solar projects.

Rhode Island’s caps and developer reimbursements for these types of projects are so limited that one developer, ISM Solar Development LLC, has turned its attention elsewhere, said Michael Lucini, company vice president. The East Providence company made a name for itself by developing the state’s first community solar array, in Burrillville, along with a handful of other large-scale solar arrays across the state. But the tariffs the state pays to developers through its Renewable Energy Growth program for these projects are limited, forcing the company to look outside the Ocean State for better opportunities.

“Unless something new happens in Rhode Island legislatively to expand community solar or net metering, we are pretty much not developing there anymore,” Lucini said. n

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FOR STARTERS | WHAT’S HAPPENING TALKING BUSINESS: Kelli J. Armstrong, Salve Regina University’s president, will be the guest speaker at the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Business After Hours event Aug. 3 at Rosecliff in Newport.

PBN FILE PHOTO/ KATE WHITNEY LUCEY

Enjoying the ride THE SIXTH ANNUAL Rolling for Homes will feature Jeeps and motorcycles coming together for a run to help support Habitat for Humanity West Bay and Northern Rhode Island Inc. building a duplex home in Burrillville. Last year, the event raised more than $50,000 to support the organization. Lunch will be offered, and T-shirts will be sold separately, with money raised to support the cause.

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. $20/ride only; $35/ride with lunch Elks Lodge No. 2359, 326 Farnum Pike, Smithfield.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3HIgZBB

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Salve president to speak at Greater Newport Chamber’s Women’s Business After Hours THE GREATER NEWPORT Chamber of Commerce will hold a Women’s Business After Hours event, hosted by Rosecliff. The event will offer opportunities for businesspeople and entrepreneurs to meet and build connections with one another. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be offered.

Salve Regina University President Kelli J. Armstrong will be the event’s guest speaker.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3, 5:30-7:30 P.M. $40/members; $45/nonmembers Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Ave., Newport.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3IpaGmQ

Exploring resources THE CENTER FOR WOMEN & Enterprise will hold a workshop on how entrepreneurs can better understand programs and services that are offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration that can help a person’s business grow. Topics to be discussed are the SBA Resource Partner Network, access to capital, loans for emergency preparedness and disaster assistance, and assistance on international trade and exporting.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, NOON TO 1 P.M. Free Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3xLWG1k

Plastics pollution THE GREATER NEWPORT Chamber of Commerce will hold a panel discussion on plastics in the environment as part of the Chamber’s “The Blue & You: Understanding Our Blue Economy” summer series. A panel of experts will discuss the challenges and opportunities to implement resource efficiency and circular economy approaches to solve this issue in Rhode Island and at the global level. A Q&A and networking session will follow.

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 4-5:30 P.M. $10 Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway, Newport.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3nJSmuO

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

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WHAT’S HAPPENING | FOR STARTERS Summer barbecue

Community assistance

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THE TRI-TOWN CHAMBER of Commerce will hold its eighth annual Summer Business BBQ. The event will celebrate all businesses in Mansfield, Foxboro and Norton. All businesses are invited, whether they are Chamber members or not. Registration is strongly suggested.

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 4:30-7 P.M. Free

SUNRISE FOREVER INC., a local nonprofit that helps provide opportunities for quality education to children in Liberia and Rhode Island, will hold its sixth annual dinner and benevolence event. The annual event celebrates the organization’s commitment to building a healthy community by providing educational supplies and resources to youths and families.

Proceeds raised at the dinner will support the nonprofit.

SATURDAY, JULY 30, 6:30 P.M. $50

THE NORTH KINGSTOWN Chamber of Commerce will hold its third annual Savor the Sunset. The event will feature sample food and beverages from restaurants, local craft breweries and distilleries, while overlooking Narragansett Bay. There will also be live music and lawn games. Attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3, 5:30-8 P.M. $45

Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce, 280 School St., Building L100, Mansfield.

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Providence Marriott Downtown, 1 Orms St., Providence.

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THE CENTRAL RHODE ISLAND Chamber of Commerce will hold its LEADS Lunch event, hosted by Harbor Lights. Attendees will have the chance to share their “minicommercials” to help others better understand what they and their organizations have to offer. Lunch will be served.

FRIDAY, JULY 29, NOON TO 1:30 P.M. $10/members; $25/nonmembers Harbor Lights, 150 Gray St., Warwick.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3aq7sTu

Supporting the parish THE 11TH ANNUAL Saint Elizabeth Parish Golf Tournament will involve 18 holes of golf, cart, lunch, dinner, raffles and a silent auction. Funds raised during the event will benefit the parish. Foursomes are welcome.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 1 P.M. $150 Swansea Country Club, 299 Market St., Swansea.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3zrj3vu

of Rhode Island AWARDS

CONGRATS TO THE WINNERS Visit PBN.com for details

Rocky Hill School, 530 Ives Road, East Greenwich.

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Noontime networking ONE SOUTHCOAST CHAMBER of Commerce, along with Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento and the 106th annual Feast of the Blessed Sacrament Committee, will hold a Business During Hours event. The gathering will provide an opportunity for you and your business to come network and experience the Portuguese feast over lunch. Guests will receive free vouchers for a sandwich and drink, as well as be offered free wine tasting.

FRIDAY, AUG. 5, NOON TO 2 P.M. Free Club Madierense S.S. Sacramento, 50 Madeira Ave., New Bedford.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3Pc2KHs

Building new relationships THE CENTRAL RHODE ISLAND Chamber of Commerce will hold a Morning Coffee networking session, hosted by Holiday Inn Express Coventry. The event will allow a group of professionals, business owners and entrepreneurs to meet and gather in a relaxed setting to build business relationships with one another.

THURSDAY, AUG. 11, 8-9 A.M. $5/members; $10/nonmembers Holiday Inn Express Coventry, 4 Universal Blvd., Coventry.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3P9vwIN

UPCOMING PBN EVENT: The 2022 Healthiest Employers Awards Program will be held on Thursday, Aug. 4, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Providence Marriott.

For more information, visit PBN.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Advertising@PBN.com.

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

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UNIONS LABOR

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“With this current generation, there’s a lot of people who do not feel represented through government and law,” she said. “They see this as a way to make change in their community aside from voting every two years.”

The runup to the early June vote was perhaps the most visible example of a new type of union movement rippling across Rhode Island and the rest of the country, one of self-organization that runs counter to traditional labor organizing that has tended to be led by seasoned union officials.

This spark of union activism has been led largely by determined, young rank-and-file workers who are seemingly emboldened in part by changes to workplaces and the economy brought on by COVID-19.

The vote at Starbucks in Warwick was close, 9-8 in favor of unionization. But two ballots have been contested and, as of July 20, the outcome remained under review by the National Labor Relations Board.

Still, the homegrown movement forges ahead, occurring at large companies, small shops and in nascent industries, too. In some cases, it’s putting owners in the position of making a decision of their own: fight unionization or accept it.

In June, when the owners of Providencebased Seven Stars Bakery were notified by employees at its five locations that they intended to unionize, owners Bill and Tracy Daugherty voluntarily decided to recognize the union.

And the Ocean State Cultivation Center in Warwick – which grows cannabis for the state’s licensed dispensaries – signed a labor peace agreement with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union in 2019.

Other companies with deeper pockets, such as Starbucks and Amazon.com Inc., have launched campaigns to persuade employees to reject unions.

“From the beginning, we’ve been clear in our belief that we are better together as partners, without a union between us, and that conviction has not changed,” Starbucks said in an emailed statement when asked for comment.

TRANSFORMATIVE?

FIGHTING ON: John Foley, a former employee at Jay Packaging Group Inc. in Warwick who reached out to employees about forming a union, has filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board after the company informed Foley not to speak to Jay employees about unionizing.

PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

ganize these places and to bring them under union contracts, where workers had a say in the conditions of their workplace, could be the equivalent of the United Auto Workers, United Steel Workers and other industrial unions.”

There are indicators that the momentum is growing.

The National Labor Relations Board says it has seen a 57% increase in the number of petitions for union representation filed by workers, jumping from 748 in the first six months of fiscal 2021 to 1,174 in the same period of 2022.

Loomis cautions that it’s too early to know whether the movement will have staying power.

“It could be transformative. It could fizzle out,” Loomis said. “But there’s absolutely every reason to believe this is going to grow and grow, and you’ll see more of this. Because when some unionization efforts succeed, it leads to others trying.”

The upswing in unionizing activities is a reverSELF-STARTERS sal of fortune for the labor movement, which has The efforts certainly inspired John Foley. suffered from decades of declining membership The 35-year-old Providence resident had been and waning influence nationwide. on the job as a supply chain and demand planner Even in Rhode Island, which remains one of the at Jay Packaging Group Inc. in Warwick for less most unionized U.S. states, total union memberthan a year when he learned of the organizing ship among its workforce dropped from 81,000 in activities at Starbucks and Amazon months ago.

2020 to 75,000 last year, while the total number of Foley had never been affiliated with a union people employed jumped from 455,000 to 474,000, before, but he says it wasn’t long before he was according to data compiled reaching out to other by the New England office employees about forming of the U.S. Bureau of Labor a union to demand better Statistics. pay for new employees But now the labor activand to address other ism that has hit prominent, workplace frustrations. modern U.S. businesses “The real catalyst was such as Starbucks, Amazon seeing how my fellow coand Apple Inc. stores has workers dealt with what the chance to be a revival we’re dealing with day to on par with the formation day,” Foley said. “I had of major labor unions in heard of Starbucks and the early 20th century, Amazon unionizing. And says Erik Loomis, a labor if they could do it, we history professor at the Unicould do it.” versity of Rhode Island and This type of indepenauthor of “A History of dent initiative has much America in Ten Strikes.” of the old guard of the ERIK LOOMIS, “These companies are union movement taking University of Rhode Island the Fords and General Monotice because it isn’t tors and U.S. Steels of our labor history professor relying on experienced age,” Loomis said. “To ororganizers from large,

‘There’s absolutely every reason to believe this is going to grow and grow.’

long-established labor groups to do the groundwork.

In the case of Starbucks, it started with a group of workers at a store in Buffalo, N.Y., voting to unionize in January and becoming the first Starbucks outlet represented by the Service Employees International Union-affiliated Workers United.

Since then, workers at hundreds of other stores have filed to unionize, and similar actions have happened at places such as Amazon warehouses and Recreational Equipment Inc. – or REI – stores.

“This is self-started in many of these places,” said Scott Duhamel, secretary and treasurer for the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council, a coalition of 16 craftsmen unions.

“No particular union has sought them out,” Duhamel said. “Traditionally, we’d have union representatives do visits, meet people at home or have everybody meet us off-site. This is certainly a new kind of movement.”

In some cases, Duhamel says, these independents seek assistance from well-established labor groups to help defray legal costs, and affiliations are formed that strengthen the overall union movement.

“We feel encouraged,” Duhamel said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen stuff like this.”

THE REACTION Of course, not everybody’s happy about it.

For instance, Starbucks has fought against a union infiltration of its more than 15,000 U.S. stores and its CEO Howard D. Schultz has warned that unionization will prevent the multibilliondollar company from implementing unilateral changes, including wage increases that were announced last year.

From the perspective of many business owners, union activities mean added costs and wasted time, and an added barrier between managers and their employees, says Timothy C. Cavazza, a management-side labor attorney at the Providence-based Whelan Corrente & Flanders LLP. “It can be costly when dealing with contract negotiations every year or every three years, or when facing a strike that’s aimed at hitting production or affecting supply chains,” Cavazza said.

“It’s the costs in terms of the legal fees and the consulting fees. It’s the management and supervisory time away, pulling people off an assembly line trying to get a product out the door, to engage in CONTINUES ON PAGE 14

12 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

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UNIONS STATE OF THE UNIONS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

12 hours of contract negotiations and trying to fill holes while workers are out striking.”

At Jay Packaging Group, Foley’s attempt to organize the workforce apparently didn’t go over well.

Foley says the company claimed he made statements indicating that he resigned from the job, but he denies that. Jay Packaging later offered him a severance agreement providing back pay and a small additional sum but refused to bring him back to work, Foley says.

Working with an organizer for Teamsters Local 251, Foley filed complaints with the NLRB accusing the company of unfair business practices when it informed other employees not to speak to him and told him he couldn’t contact colleagues to organize. Foley still hopes to be reinstated.

Jay Packaging did not respond to an email and a phone call seeking comment. But in a letter to Foley’s attorney, the company said it would not agree to bring Foley back, citing his “evident unhappiness” and questioning “why he would even want” to return.

Things have proceeded differently at Seven Stars Bakery.

Dozens of workers at the bakery’s five locations, in Providence, East Providence and Cranston, notified management by letter in mid-June that they were starting the unionization process, saying they were looking for better pay and benefits.

Days later, management had agreed to recognize the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 328 as the workers’ representative.

Co-owner Bill Daugherty declined to comment recently, saying both sides are “in a bit of a quiet period” as Local 328 gets “up to speed” before starting collective bargaining.

Cavazza says his workload has increased due to the recent rise in labor activism. His advice for companies: be proactive before finding themselves in the midst of a unionization campaign.

He also says it’s important for employers to remember “what not to do in these circumstances.”

The NLRB states that employers may not discriminate in any way against a worker participating in union activities, such as threatening, interrogating, or spying on pro-union employees, or promising benefits if they drop unionization efforts.

“Try to keep employees happy and don’t give them a reason to seek out that representation,” Cavazza said. “Keep supervisors and managers

BOLD MOVE: Chloe Chassaing, a White Electric Coffee employee and member of the worker-owned cooperative that bought the business when it was put up for sale by the former owner after the employees formed an independent union.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Year

Total employed Total number of in R.I. union members

Percentage of union members in workforce

2011

453,000

79,000

17.4

2012

455,000

81,000

17.8

2013

459,000

77,000

16.9

2014

453,000

68,000

15.1

2015

483,000

68,000

14.2

2016

481,000

74,000

15.5

2017

486,000

78,000

16.1

2018

479,000

83,000

17.4

2019

475,000

83,000

17.4

2020

455,000

81,000

17.8

2021

474,000

75,000

15.7

trained on how to effectively respond when faced with this kind of activity. And just run a good business. Don’t derail everything simply because this activity is going on.”

SEARCHING FOR A CAUSE

Rhode Island has historically been one of the most unionized states in the country, but total union membership fluctuates with the local economy.

Data shows that union membership plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SOURCE: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

In April 2021, workers at the marijuana dispensary Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center Inc. in Portsmouth voted to join UFCW Local 328, then two months later held a one-day strike to protest the firing of one of the organizers. The worker was reinstated after an investigation by the NLRB. Greenleaf did not return a message seeking comment.

Cavazza expects more attempts at unionizing workers in Rhode Island’s cannabis industry as it undergoes a rapid expansion with the legalized use and sale of recreational marijuana. “The grow operations in California and across the country are being hit with organizing activity at all levels,” he said.

Cavazza, who’s also an adjunct professor at Roger Williams University School of Law, says the increased union activity shouldn’t come as a surprise “when you look at the current legal landscape and the economic instability” marked by sky-high inflation and the Great Resignation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the administration of President Joe Biden is widely viewed as strongly supportive of UPPER HAND unions, and progressive poliSo far, the Starbucks off Route 2 in Warwick remains ticians have been outspoken the only one in Rhode Island in backing labor. to file for unionization.

“You have a perfect storm Burke, one of the organizfor union organizing,” Cavazza said. ers, says she and her coLoomis notes that the workers were motivated to high cost of housing, along protect job benefits, advocate with the number of college for pay increases and adgraduates with student debt dress subpar working condiworking at places such as tions, such as scheduling cafes, has also fueled the issues that have left workmovement. ers short-staffed on certain “You have people coming shifts. out of places like [Johnson & Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Wales University] and Roger Chamber of Commerce, Williams and they’re not TIMOTHY C. CAVAZZA, says she believes this union exactly stepping into great Whelan Corrente & Flanders LLP movement will ebb eventujobs,” Loomis said. “They figure they should have ally. For now, unionization labor attorney more and they’re trying to efforts are in part an outfigure out how to get that.” growth of labor shortages Chloe Chassaing says the rising calls for racial that have given qualified workers the upper hand justice in the summer of 2020 also played a role. in the workplace. “The talent is ratcheting up the That’s when Chassaing and other employees pressure on employers to prove [their company at White Electric Coffee formed an independent is] a good fit,” she said. Workers “are being more assertive.” union after writing a letter to the owner airing At the same time, White doesn’t see the recent grievances, including the lack of employees of unionization efforts as “organic,” but more about color. Amid tensions, the owner put the business large labor organizations “trying to find areas up for sale, and it was bought by a worker-owned where they can dip their toe in the water” now cooperative called CUPS Cooperative Inc. The that the pandemic has altered workplaces and business still operates as White Electric. inflation is pushing the cost of living higher.

“People were kind of questioning existing “There’s a more receptive workforce now,” structures, including their workplaces,” ChassaWhite said. ing said. “There was a spirit in the air with people That said, as many companies struggle to hire ready and willing to put in the effort to make many and retain qualified workers – what White calls aspects of their lives more sustainable and just. “the No. 1 issue today” facing businesses – she There’s more general societal agreement that all says some unions could assist in alleviating some jobs should have some sort of dignity. That’s hopeof those problems by providing a stable pipeline of fully a baseline we’re all coming to agree on.” trained workers.

Cavazza said several “nontraditional” indus“[Unionization] doesn’t have to be antagonistries, including legalized marijuana operations, have also faced union drives. tic,” White said. n

14 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

‘It can be costly when dealing with contract negotiations every year or every three years.’

XXXXX | EDUCATION Some schools erecting housing for teachers

BY JANIE HAR | The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA HIGH SCHOOL teacher Lisa Raskin moved out of a cramped apartment she was sharing with a roommate and into her own place this month, paying a deeply discounted $1,500 a month HOMECOMING: Lisa Raskin, a teacher at Jefferson Union High School District in Daly City, Calif., looks out for a one-bedroom with expansive views within the window of her new one-bedroom apartment that was built by the district and is rented to school employwalking distance to work. ees at discounted rates.

It was once an impossible dream in an exorbiAP PHOTO/GODOFREDO A. VASQUEZ tantly priced region hostile to new housing. But her employer, a 4,000-student school district south fornia, Berkeley, said such housing complexes are for a down payment on a house. of San Francisco, was the rare success story in the rare, but he expects more school districts to explore But those too are becoming more difficult to struggle to provide affordable housing. In May, it the concept given the benefits of teachers living in buy.

A 2016 study by Redfin found that only 20% of opened 122 apartments for teachers and staff. the communities where they work. homes for sale across major U.S. metro areas were “I have a sense of community, which I think is But such projects face obstacles, including pushaffordable on an average teacher’s salary of $62,800, more valuable than anything else,” Raskin, 41, said. down from 34% in 2012. back from residents.

Vincent urges districts to be “More districts really need to consider this model. I Boston high school English teacher Shirley cautious. think it shows educators that they value them.”

Jones-Luke, who bought her house nearly two “One of the biggest barriers is the need for The Jefferson Union High School District in San decades ago, said there’s no way she’d be able to afpeople to think outside the box,” he said.

“There Mateo County’s Daly City, Calif., is among several are skeptics of whether schools should be doing this ford one today in the rapidly gentrifying neighborplaces in the country with educator housing. But with their land.” hood of Dorchester where she’s taught for years. with a national teacher shortage and rapidly rising Roughly a quarter of the 500 employees at Jef“It’s important to students to know that their rents, the working-class district could serve as a teachers live in the same communities as them, ferson Union were resigning or retiring every harbinger as schools across the U.S. seek to attract shop at the same stores,” said Jones-Luke, who is year.

The district, where teacher salaries for the and retain educators.

Black.

2022-23 year start at $60,000, could not compete with “This is absolutely a solution for other districts.

California lawmakers in 2016 made it easier wealthier schools that pay new teachers $76,000 or As we’ve gone through the process, we’ve learned for districts to build workforce housing on school more. of so many other districts interested in doing what property, but some efforts have stalled over financSo in 2017-2018, officials came up with a plan for we’ve done,” said Andrew Lie, a school board recruitment and retention, including a $75 million ing and residential pushback. Five workforce trustee. “For us to be at the front end of this new housing complex for teachers and staff financed in housing complexes currently exist in Los Angeles, wave of teacher and staff part by a $30 million bond issue Santa Clara and San Mateo county school districts. housing is actually pretty approved by voters.

Jefferson Union was the rare success story, exciting.”

The district also has a more building the new complex on a former parking lot In West Virginia, the ambitious plan to lease school of an old high school currently used for district American Federation of property for a 1,200-unit develoffices.

Teachers recently helped The apartments range in monthly rent from opment that would mix retail open a building with $1,356 for a one-bedroom to $2,511 for a three-bedwith market-rate housing and apartments for teachers generate revenue to beef up room, which officials say is 58% of market rate. and retail shops that ofteacher salaries.

But the Sierra About 80 employees are to move in by fall and ficials hope will revitalize Club’s local chapter and others another 30 are applying, including about a dozen the rural town of Welch. have expressed objections.

They new hires, said Tina Van Raaphorst, associate Teachers were travelwant more units at below-marsuperintendent of business services. The average ing “hours and hours to annual salary of residents is $62,300, and includes ket rents and taller buildings get to school and back,” janitors, cafeteria workers and bus drivers. to preserve more open space, said Randi Weingarten, During the pandemic, Raskin moved out of including a decades-old garden LISA RASKIN, Jefferson Union AFT union president. “So her mother’s house to share an apartment with a scheduled for razing. this became an idea to High School District teacher friend.

But living quarters were tight. The chance So far, the district is opposed spark economic developto move into a place of her own was like hitting the to those changes, inflaming ment and to create housjackpot, said Raskin, who teaches health and social critics. ing.” science.

Tenants at the school district complex can stay Jeff Vincent, co-founder and director of the Cen“This is mine,” she said. n up to five years, hopefully using the time to save up ter for Cities & Schools at the University of Cali-

‘More districts really need to consider this model.’

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | 15

INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE ›››› INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION MAKES AN IMPACT

SPONSORED CONTENT

Impact through interprofessional collaboration Johnson & Wales brings a legacy of food and hospitality excellence to its growing healthcare programming

JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY has a long and impactful history as a global educational leader in the food and hospitality industries. The university has transformed these industries through innovative approaches, thought leadership, and ingenuity. For over two decades—the introduction of the first dietetics program was in 1999—the university has invested in building health and wellness programming with its legacy verticals of food and hospitality woven throughout. It’s this interdisciplinary approach, paired with a focus on applied learning, that makes the university’s health and wellness curricula so distinct.

Whether working alongside Johnson & Wales’ College of Engineering and Design students in the Occupational Therapy doctorate program, or taking a culinary lab called Cooking for Health and Wellness as part of course work in a variety of majors— Dietetics and Applied Nutrition, Exercise and Sports Science, Physician Assistant Studies, or Public Health—the university strives to ensure a uniquely collaborative, hands-on approach.

Johnson & Wales seems to be approaching health and wellness education differently. Can you share how the College of Health & Wellness is making a mark on an increasingly competitive area of study?

performance are both improved. And when Occupational Therapy and design students work together to create a device that could allow someone with a disability to remain at work, the results can be life-changing!

dietetics students prescribing specialized diets. The best healthcare happens when providers work as a team and our students are well prepared to understand the roles of other professionals and to collaborate with them.

LAURA: The College of Health & Wellness has a natural affinity to the welcoming and caring approaches in the hospitality and culinary fields. Our humanistic approach to healthcare values the individual’s culture in decisionmaking and upholds patient dignity and autonomy.

Wellness is a core component in our programs in part by the inclusion of a “cooking for health and wellness” lab course. When Dietetics students collaborate with Exercise and Sports Science students, rehabilitation and

Interprofessional education allows more students to experience state of the art labs and equipment. The occupational therapy driving simulator provides an opportunity for collaboration with physician assistant students on the complex needs of our elderly population, the physician assistant cadaver lab is a great benefit to exercise and sports science students in understanding exercise physiology, and the exercise and sports science equipment that measures metabolism is essential to

NANCY: We designed the occupational therapy curriculum to take advantage of the opportunities available to students at Johnson & Wales. It is common for occupational therapy students to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals like nurses and physical therapists. In the university’s occupational therapy doctorate program almost every course has an interprofessional education experience and many of them are outside of traditional healthcare boundaries. We want

16 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION MAKES AN IMPACT ‹‹‹‹ INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE

SPONSORED CONTENT

students to be able to share their knowledge with a wider pool of professionals, so this collaborative effort extends to the College of Food Innovation and Technology and the College of Engineering and Design. This past spring, students worked with product design students and professors to develop real world solutions for people with disabilities. One of the most intriguing and promising projects would assist people working in medical laboratories to prevent repetitive strain injuries and continue working despite arthritis or other conditions.

Exercise and Sports Science is a healthcare field that’s really taking off. Can you talk about Johnson & Wales’ program and how it's leaning into the university’s legacy in food innovation?

PAUL: Food is medicine here at Johnson & Wales!

Food and nutrition are critical components to Exercise and Sports Science students’ ability to maximize the performance, wellness and rehabilitation of clients, as well as themselves. Culinary and dietetics faculty collaborate with our Exercise and Sports Science program equipping our students with evidence-based practices

related to weight management, gaining muscle mass, and enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injuries. This unique collaboration allows Exercise and Sports Science students to learn not only the applications of these dietetics practices, but also the preparation— working with faculty chefs and registered dietitians, they will learn how to prepare recommended foods.

This extremely practical knowledge makes our students very desirable to employers and clients. Students also learn state of the art training techniques on equipment designed for professional athletes while they work with faculty committed to undergraduate research. JWU’s Exercise and Sports Science program students are more than prepared to meet workforce demands or stand out from the crowd should they decide to apply to graduate programs in Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, Physical Therapy or even medical school.

The College of Health & Wellness often talks about its applied learning approach being a core differentiator to its programming and outcomes. Can you share a bit more on this subject?

LAURA: People often think about internships when we mention experiential learning and while that is true, it is just the beginning at JWU. Experiential learning is learning by doing, and our students learn by doing all the time! They participate in original research and publish their results. These include articles about gambling among young people, smart phone addiction, texting and traffic accidents, screen time and mental health, truly relevant topics for our college students. Classes include

PARTICIPANTS

Laura Galligan Ph.D. Dean of the College of Health & Wellness, Johnson & Wales University

Paul Ullucci PT, Ph.D., DPT, ATC, SCS, CSCS Associate Dean of the College of Health & Wellness, Johnson & Wales University

case studies of current events for students to study and solve. Students in our labs determine when an injured athlete is safe to return to play, or determine ideal body composition for a variety of sports.

NANCY: In the occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) program we recognize that students value learning with a direct connection to their future roles, so we focus on providing relevant experiential components in each class.

We use case studies, videos, role-play, discussion and group activities so that students actively use their new knowledge, rather than sit passively in a lecture. We have also built simulation into our curriculum so that students can act as therapists in scenarios carefully crafted by faculty to correspond to course content in four major practice areas. Students in the OTD program participate in more than 50 of these scenarios and we are currently studying the impact that these learning opportunities have on student skills and anxiety levels.

PAUL: Students are motivated to learn when they are engaged in solving a problem whether it be in the classroom or the research lab. Our Exercise and Sports Science students will work in our labs with real athletes and real clients of all ages and abilities to solve real life problems— whether it be improving athletic performance, maintaining optimal weight or being able to perform everyday tasks. Students will use state-of-theart technology to assess the physical capacity of their

Nancy Dooley Ph.D., OTR/L, CDP Program Director and Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy, Johnson & Wales University

clients and determine the type of program they need to develop to address their client’s needs. JWU faculty and Exercise and Sports Science students will utilize the resources of the Undergraduate Research Center and our two labs to conduct research and solve real-world challenges in the field.

Looking to the future, what can the state and industry expect to see from the College of Health & Wellness?

PAUL: The university’s College of Health & Wellness (CHW) will continue to expand, adding undergraduate and graduate programs, which will provide the people of Rhode Island with the skills and knowledge needed to obtain a satisfying and rewarding career. CHW faculty and students will work with Rhode Island employers and businesses to address specific needs whether they be in workforce development or answering research questions. CHW faculty and students will partner with healthcare providers to provide patients and clients services that they need to ensure that they can safely get back to everyday activities, allowing them to contribute to building a strong economy. Our Registered Dietitians, culinary and Exercise and Sports Science faculty will be able to assess how exercise, diet and food impact body fat and lean body mass to better help our clients achieve their goals. Our human performance lab has the equipment to assess an individual’s risk of injury as well as determine when it is safe to return to work or sports.

LAURA: We have developed a comprehensive plan for the College of Health & Wellness to provide greatly needed healthcare workers to Rhode Island and surrounding states that address the various aspects of health while providing JWU students the opportunity of satisfying and well-paying careers. We will add graduate programs to provide our students even greater opportunities and touch all aspects of health. Our selection by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics to open a Future Education Model Masters in Registered Dietetics (MSRD) program has been very gratifying and demonstrates the value of our approach.

We will serve as a model to other institutions who wish to develop a modern MSRD. Our dieticians’ culinary experience makes them extremely desirable in the marketplace and very effective when helping clients change their eating plans. As we continue to expand, we will open new programs deepening our study of public health, health science and expanding into mental health and other allied health fields.

To learn more about Johnson & Wales’ College of Health & Wellness visit jwu.edu. www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | 17

FOCUS | EDUCATION

Prepping for both science, business sides of health

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

BRAD

Crough doesn’t bat an eye at the prospect of sorting through a dizzying tranche of numbers.

A skilled coder with degrees in accounting and business, he embraces the data side of his job with Brown Physicians Inc. But the technical, jargon-heavy and ever-changing complexities of the health care industry prove more challenging.

After more than a decade as the analytics director for the nonprofit physician group, Crough has come to better understand the health side of his job – at least somewhat.

“Still to this day, it can be extraordinarily difficult,” Crough said.

And when it comes to new hires, training with no background in health care seems like more trouble than it’s worth, even if the job candidate is a highly trained data analyst.

Finding someone already equipped to take on the health and data parts of the job doesn’t seem likely – training programs that combine the two disciplines don’t exist, Crough said.

Bryant University wants to change that.

In June, Bryant announced the launch of a new school that combines physical and behavioral health sciences with business and data analytics. The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences builds upon the existing health programs in its School of Health Sciences by incorporating behavioral health, business and data classes into the traditional health care degrees, hiring more faculty, and adding equipment and more lab facilities to support what administrators expect to be a growing roster of students. The new school will also include two new majors, one of which – health care analytics – is the first of its kind in the state, Bryant said.

The goal, university officials say, is to serve the growing and unmet need for workers who understand both the science and business of the technology-dependent industry.

“It’s increasingly more apparent when you talk to industry professionals that the folks on the business side don’t understand the complexities of things [such as] health care providers and patients, and vice versa,” said

‘Our industry is completely saturated with data.’

BRAD CROUGH, Brown Physicians Inc. analytics director 18 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

UNIQUE ­­PAIRING: ­­Bryant University in June announced the launch of a new school that combines physical and behavioral health sciences with business and data analytics called the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences.

Joseph Trunzo, left, the school’s associate director, works with sophomore Alex Spitznagle.

PBN PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

Kirsten Hokeness, Bryant’s biology department chairperson who will serve as the school’s director. “We really see the value in educating both business professionals and those in health and behavioral sciences about how these fields work together.”

It’s not just anecdotal conversations driving Bryant’s decision. Data backs it up, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating health care jobs will increase 16% nationwide over the next 10 years, more than triple the 5% average growth of jobs across all industries.

These jobs are also among the most lucrative. The average annual salaries for health care practitioners and data scientists in Rhode Island each topped $100,000 as of May 2021, the most recent data available, compared with the $62,000 state average across all occupations, according to BLS. Crough is eagerly awaiting the first crop of graduates from the new school, which will enroll its first batch of students in the fall. Whether it is sorting through the complexities of insurance billings, analyzing data that measures risk in patient care or studying staff surveys to determine how to reduce burnout, there is no shortage of opportunities for health care-savvy data analysts at Brown Physicians.

“Our industry is completely saturated with data,” he said. “The landscape has changed pre- and postCOVID, where there is a void and we really need people to come hit the ground running.”

Even before COVID-19, the pressure has been mounting for health care companies to incorporate data analytics, dating back to the Affordable Care Act signed in 2010 by then-President Barack Obama, said Michelle Rosa Martins, director of patient experience and family-centered care at Woman & Infants Hospital.

“Medical institutions have really been held to a different standard in terms of measuring patient care and satisfaction,” Rosa Martins said.

“Data analytics is now considered part of the actual medical service we’re providing.”

While Bryant’s new school is among a slew of health care programs and degrees across the state’s higher education landscape, its emphasis on the relationships between business and health care, and physical and behavioral health, are unique, Hokeness says.

Even Robert Hackey, a professor of health policy and management at Providence College, says Bryant’s programs serve a different function than those at his college, which is also planning to open a School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Bryant’s business reputation makes its approach to an interdisciplinary health care school more likely to succeed, especially coming out of the pandemic, Hackey said.

“COVID really underscored so much about how data plays a role in teaching us about what’s going on,” he said. “Certainly, one of the things we’ve learned is that health care must be provided in a holistic manner.” n

EDUCATION | FOCUS URI CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Computing Center.

URI’s partnership with the center – a collaboration of Boston University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern University and the University of Massachusetts – gives URI cutting-edge capabilities to perform more-complex research in areas such as computational modeling, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Since the partnership was formalized last November, Khanna says, URI has capitalized on the advanced computing power in numerous ways. For example, the Graduate School of Oceanography has been developing high-resolution simulations of the storm surges along the Rhode Island coastline; the College of Engineering is designing new materials for use by the U.S. Navy; and the College of Pharmacy has been conducting complex genome sequencing.

“It gives us new capabilities,” Khanna said.

The high-performance computing center is located in Holyoke, Mass., and was established 10 years ago to provide state-of-the-art computing with a low carbon footprint. The racks of servers that fill the 33,000-square-foot computer room and the energy efficient system needed to cool those computers are powered by a hydroelectric plant on the Connecticut River.

As part of the new partnership, URI is also bringing money to the table – a $1.2 million legislative earmark secured by Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., for high-performance computing technology at URI. That funding will be added to contributions from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and UMass Amherst to purchase $2.2 million of computer hardware and software that will be installed at the center in Holyoke.

In addition, OSHEAN Inc., a North Kingstownbased nonprofit coalition of universities, hospitals, government agencies and other nonprofits providing internet-based technology for its member institutions, has helped provide a dedicated high-speed connection between URI and the center more than 70 miles away.

Aside from the higher computing power, access to the center can pay off for URI in another way: proximity to world-class researchers from institutions such as Harvard and MIT. In many cases, faculty from various universities are working on similar projects, and the center can be a “collaborative playground” where there’s a benefit to sharing information and resources rather than competing for them, Khanna says.

Yes, competitiveness and rivalries still exist among some researchers, but the center “is an attempt

POWER UP: Gaurav Khanna, director of research computing at the University of Rhode Island, stands inside the data center at Tyler Hall on URI’s Kingston campus in South Kingstown. The unversity has put an emphasis on improving its high-performance computing capabilities recently.

PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

to break that down,” he said. “The main goal is to foster collaboration.”

John Goodhue, executive director at Massachusetts Green High-Performance Computing Center, says the computers at the facility serve more than 20,000 researchers, educators and students, and he adds that he wants to help make high-performance computing available to smaller and midsize institutions as well.

In recent years, URI has placed heavy emphasis on bolstering its research computing capabilities.

The university formed an Information Technology Research Computing Services team in 2020, and Khanna joined URI in early 2021 as its first director of research computing. URI says it will be adding several graduate assistants and a computational scientist to the IT Research Computing team in the fall.

Khanna says the scientist will be tasked with showing researchers across the university how the high-performance computing now available to them can be used to improve their work.

‘A large class of problems can be solved with computers.’

“It’s one thing to have this computational infrastructure,” he said. “It’s another thing to get people to use it. A large class of problems can be solved with computers.”

For his part, Khanna currently has URI astrophysics students studying what happens when two black holes smash together.

But there are also uses for the advanced computing that have applications closer to home, including the engineering work at URI to develop materials such as metals for naval use. Using computer modeling can save time and money. “It can be very expensive to keep destroying the materials” during testing, Khanna said.

And there’s the development of computer models to predict the effects of storm surges along the coast in southern New England. Khanna says the highperformance computing allows for more resolution than any provided by the National Weather Service, down to risks that particular streets and individual properties might face in particular scenarios.

In addition, URI’s advanced computer power permits the use of machine learning, in which the models can become more accurate at predicting outcomes without being programmed by researchers.

“It’s a very significant project to our region,” Khanna said. n

GAURAV KHANNA, University of Rhode Island director of research computing and physics professor www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | 19

FOCUS | |COLLEGES COLLEGES& UNIVERSITIES & UNIVERSITIES

(ranked by number of full-time undergraduates, 2020-2021 academic year) (ranked by number of full-time undergraduates, 2020-2021 academic year)

2022 rank

1

2021: 2

CLOSER LOOK

School | Website President

Address Phone

Full-time undergraduates Other students

Total staff Full-time faculty

In-state tuition Out-of-state tuition

Year founded

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

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

12,790 4,960

2,710 778

$15,880 $34,642

1892

Ranked by oldest college:

1

Brown University Year founded: 1764

2

2021: 1

3 2021: 3 4

2021: 4

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

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

Brown University | brown.edu Christina H. Paxson

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

7,082 3,614

4,709 931

$62,680 $62,680

1764

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

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

4,905 2,812

660 561

$13,833 $29,578

1895

12,500 18,000

754 292

$4,624 $13,086

1964

2

Wheaton College Year founded: 1834

3

Rhode Island College Year founded: 1854

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

5

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

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

4,290 1,065

1,390 303

$37,896 $37,896

1914

6

Rhode Island College | ric.edu Jack R. Warner, interim president

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

4,060 2,271

797 297

$9,481 $14,221

1854

UPCOMING LISTS Aug. 5: Catering Companies, Highway Projects, Meetings and Convention Facilities; Aug. 19: Estate Planners, Rhode Island CIOs, Rhode Island Law Firms, Software Development Companies.

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

2021: 5

2021: 6

2021: 7

7

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

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

4,050 687

942 342

$55,040 $55,040

1917

8

Roger Williams University | rwu.edu Ioannis N. Miaoulis

1 Old Ferry Road Bristol, R.I. 02809 (401) 253-1040

3,765 442

891 307

$39,594 $39,594

1956

9

Bristol Community College | bristolcc.edu Laura L. Douglas

777 Elsbree St. Fall River, Mass. 02720 (774) 357-2270

3,700 2,277

735 116

$5,282 $10,226

1965

Bryant University | bryant.edu Ross Gittell

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

3,038 403

787 301

$46,885 $46,885

1863

Salve Regina University | salve.edu Kelli J. Armstrong

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

2,069 759

593 301

$45,250 $45,250

1947

12

Rhode Island School of Design | risd.edu Crystal Williams

2 College St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 454-6100

2,044 532

799 600

$55,220 $55,220

1877

13

Wheaton College | wheatoncollege.edu Michaele Whelan

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

1,700 1

275 130

$59,750 $59,750

1834

14

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

1 New England Tech Blvd.

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

1,523 216

134 113

$32,100 $32,100

1940

2021: 8

2021: NL

10

2021: 9

11

2021: 12

2021: 14

2021: 15

2021: 13

20 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

You might think you know Johnson & Wales, but with over a century of academic excellence— we know we can still surprise you.

WE’ RE POWERED

BY PU RPOS E .

Learn more at JWU.edu

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | 21

FOCUS | ENGINEERING

Hurricane barrier needs upgrades, groups warn

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

PROVIDENCE

once led the nation in hurricane protection.

But in the half-century since the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier, the $14 million project has lost its luster.

The metal has corroded, the steel scratched and beaten down. But the gates, pipes and valves of the structure itself aren’t the biggest problem.

Rather, it’s the water beneath it, which continues to creep higher and higher, threatening to make the oncerevolutionary system obsolete.

“The Dutch aren’t building any more tide gates and hurricane barriers,” said H. Curtis Spalding, a former regional director for the Environmental Protection Agency who now serves as a senior adviser to a local environmental group known as the Providence Resilience Partnership. “The people who are most advanced in the world at this kind of work have kind of moved away from those types of protections.”

That’s not to say that the 3,000-footlong tidal barrier hasn’t served a purpose. The Army Corps of Engineers

estimates it has prevented more than $3 million in damage as of 2017.

Designed in the aftermath of the 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane, the barrier was built to withstand storm surge of up to 22 feet – typically associated with a Category 3 hurricane. So far, it’s never faced worse, but as sea levels rise and storms intensify amid a warming climate, the risk grows.

The Providence Resilience Partnership in a February 2021 report recommended some short-term fixes to improve the barrier’s effectiveness, such as moving the backup generator higher from the water level.

Looking long-term, the group also hinted at a bigger overhaul – or even a new hurricane barrier – as a potential solution.

The Providence Emergency Management Agency in its own 2020 report also concluded that the groups involved in the hurricane barrier’s maintenance and operations should consider a new barrier – with a 2050 deadline to make the call. Thirty years might seem far off, but without much of the critical information about how increased flooding affects the city’s aging infrastructure – not just the bar-

STORM ­­WARNING: Providence Chief Engineer Craig Hochman at the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier.

Several environmental groups have warned the barrier is in need of fixes or should be replaced amid a warming climate.

PBN PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

‘The Dutch aren’t building any more tide gates and hurricane barriers.’

H. Curtis Spalding, Providence Resilience Partnership senior adviser 22 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

rier but its roads, bridges and sewer systems – the Providence Resilience Partnership is looking to start a more detailed study of the city’s climate readiness by the end of this year, says Michele Jalbert, the partnership’s executive director.

Raymond P. Daddazio, a fellow with the American Society of Civil Engineers, also stressed the importance of a holistic approach to engineering hurricane protections.

“There’s no magic bullet that will solve all the problems,” said Daddazio, who also serves as a senior consultant for engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti. “Even a permanent structure like a river barrier is finite in length. You have to think about what happens on the other side of the river, where the water goes, or where the barrier ends.”

There are, however, some issues that need immediate attention. The city is preparing to spend $3 million of its American Rescue Plan Act funds to repair and replace certain landlocked components of the barrier; the river gates themselves, and anything in the water is under the domain of the Army Corps of Engineers, which has spent $20 million on its own waterside maintenance over the last decade.

Among the most pressing repairs from the city’s point of view is the failing hydraulic system that operates the sewer valve below Allens Avenue. It’s not exactly a headlineworthy project but an important one to prevent gallons of sewage-contaminated water from spilling out into city streets, said Craig Hochman, the city’s chief engineer.

When the river gates close, the Narragansett Bay Commission also closes the valves to its combined sewer system to prevent the river water, which shares the same pipes, from flooding the system. But the pressurepowered valve closure underneath Allens Avenue doesn’t work, forcing a crew to manually close the valves when a storm is anticipated, and reopen it later, Hochman said.

Hochman chalked up the failing hydraulics to age – it probably hasn’t been replaced since it was installed 50 years ago. Aside from the standard wear and tear typical of any structure, the barrier itself remains in good condition, says Margaret Goulet, director of operations and maintenance for the Narragansett Bay Commission.

Goulet sees value in the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier’s simplicity.

“The things that last and stand the test of time are the ones that are the most basic,” she said. “We could spend so much money on all of these complex systems and new technologies, but with climate change, so much is uncertain.”

Daddazio also suggested ways to supplement, rather than replace, the hurricane barrier by making the entire city more flood-proof: stormwater basins, buildings with roofs made to absorb excess rainwater, and above-ground electrical systems.

“The key thing that makes any city resilient is how fast it can come back to normal after a flood,” he said. n

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FOCUS | ENGINEERING Brown students’ satellite in orbit on shoestring

BY CLAUDIA CHIAPPA | Chiappa@PBN.com

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE a billionaire to go to space. In fact, all you need is about $10,000, some engineering skills and a little help at liftoff. A group of Brown University students has proved it.

The team of undergraduate and graduate students from Brown’s School of Engineering has successfully launched a satellite that’s a little more than a foot long, made of off-the-shelf parts, and designed and built on a very tight budget.

The microsatellite – dubbed SBUDNIC – was launched in May in partnership with the National Research Council in Italy.

It was Rick Fleeter, adjunct associate professor of engineering at Brown, that gave students in his Design of Space Systems class the unusual assignment: construct your own satellite and get it into space. Adding to the challenge: the students only had a few thousand dollars and one year to do it.

“Nothing in space happens fast,” said Selia Jindal, a rising senior at Brown and project manager of SBUDNIC. “And I think that’s one of the

SPACECRAFT: Recent Brown University graduate Marco Cross displays a mockup of the miniature satellite a team of Brown students built. The satellite is now in orbit.

PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

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Name Job Title Company Name Phone number Email address Company Website Number of years working in current industry Number of years with current company/firm Degree/university Official bio, 150 to 300 words High resolution headshot (minimum 300 dpi)

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ENGINEERING | FOCUS insanely revolutionary things about SBUDNIC. It’s showing that this is possible in the age of the billionaire’s space race, when the only people that have access to space are people with tons of resources and time.”

Fleeter himself had received the launch opportunity from Lorenzo Bigagli, a researcher at the National Research Council in Italy.

Total funding for the mission was about $35,000, provided by the National Research Council, NASA Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium and Brown. While most of the money went toward research, the satellite itself was built on a budget of a little over $10,000. In contrast, an average 3U CubeSat satellite – a miniature, low-orbit satellite such as SBUDNIC – requires a budget of several million dollars.

It was an unlikely team, made up of students from various backgrounds and expertise levels. Some of them had little experience with engineering. Many had none.

“At the time, we were all students and none of us had ever done this before. So we really had to teach ourselves how to make this happen,” said Marco Cross, a recent Brown graduate in biomedical engineering and chief engineer of the project.

The minuscule budget meant making a lot of adjustments and sacrifices, including cutting some features from the satellite and spending late nights testing their creation.

Why call it SBUDNIC? The name is a loose acronym for Satellite by Brown University and Deorbit and the Institute of CNR. It’s also an homage to the world’s first manmade satellite Sputnik, built by Russia in the late 1950s.

One of the main features that allowed the students to build SBUDNIC on a budget was the choice of materials, commercial parts that were assembled by the students themselves.

For instance, the Kapton tape used on SBUDNIC was purchased from Home Depot.

The other piece of the puzzle was its short life expectancy.

‘We really had to teach ourselves how to make this happen.’

MARCO CROSS, recent Brown University graduate

The satellite is powered by 48 Energizer AA lithium batteries, the type available at local stores. It’s projected that the batteries will last up to four months. Once powered off, the satellite will remain in orbit for about six years, and it features a special drag device that will “deorbit” the satellite, allowing it to return to Earth.

“Since satellites cost so much, there is a lot of pressure they should last a very long time,” Fleeter said.

“If you decide it doesn’t have to last a long time, it simplifies the design.”

SBUDNIC was shot into space from Cape Canaveral in Florida on May 25 as a secondary payload on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

By allowing themselves to build a satellite that will only remain in orbit a few years, compared with the decades of typical satellites, the Brown team was able to significantly cut costs. A quicker mission also helps limit debris in space, an issue that’s become an increasing concern for NASA. “There is value from an ecological point of view for satellites that don’t stay up long and come down after not long,” Fleeter said.

What does SBUDNIC do in orbit?

It will record temperatures and take photos at about 300 miles above the Earth’s surface, transmitting lowresolution images on the amateur radio band.

Still, the project has been lifechanging for some of the students.

Jindal, who is studying international relations and affairs, is now onto her next space adventure as an intern with Lockheed Martin Space, a division of the aerospace giant Lockheed Martin Corp., which has an office in Middletown. Cross is already working on another miniature satellite project at Brown, this one with a $1 million budget.

And SBUDNIC is inspiring others to set their eyes on space. The team has been engaged in an educational outreach program to talk to people about the satellite and get young people interested in space.

“It’s valuable to be able to show future students and researchers and scientists that space is something they have access to,” Jindal said. “It shows that we’re actually being able to have a reach and impact and influence the future world of scientists in space expeditions, and I think that’s something that’s really valuable and that means a lot.”

Fleeter is hoping the project illustrates that space can be accessible to those who might not have millions of dollars to spend and might not want to embark on lengthy and complicated missions.

“There’s a real industry growing around the idea of, what has the mainstream industry been ignoring?

What are we not doing?” Fleeter said.

“It grows space business by creating new things you can do in space, expanding the realm of what space business does.” n

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| FOCUS ENGINEERINGFIRMS FIRMS(ranked(ranked by number of local licensed professional engineers) FOCUS | ENGINEERING by number of local licensed professional engineers) 2022 rank

1

2021: 1

2

2021: 2

Company | Website Principal(s)

Address Phone

Licensed engineers Nonlicensed engineers

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. | vhb.com Justin Dufresne, principal and Rhode Island managing director

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

46 68

Civil, environmental, land development, planning, transportation

Pare Corp. | parecorp.com John Shevlin, CEO; Larry Riggs, president

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

30 38

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

CLOSER LOOK Type of engineering

Total number of engineers:

455 LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette

GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc. | gza.com Patrick Sheehan, CEO and president; Ed Summerly, Rhode Island district office manager

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

24 21

Environmental investigation and remediation, geotechnical engineering, dams and levee, marine/waterfront design, stormwater management and water resources, solar and wind energy, solid waste

Fuss & O'Neill Inc. | fando.com Shawn Martin, vice president and office manager

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

23 9

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

5

Wright-Pierce | wright-pierce.com John W. Braccio

10 Dorrance St., Suite 840 Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 383-2276

21 6

Building design, civil, dams, electrical, GIS, mechanical, stormwater, water/wastewater

6

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

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

19 21

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

3 2021: NL 4 2021: 3

2021: 4

2021: 7

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NL = Not listed last year.

7

Thielsch Engineering Inc. | thielsch.com Vincent Graziano, CEO and president

195 Frances Ave. Cranston, R.I. 02910 (401) 467-6454

12 26

Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, process, energy, metallurgical

Steere Engineering Inc. | steereengineering.com Alison Steere, owner and CEO; Martin Pierce, owner and president; Michael Adams and Merve Iplikcioglu Kirtan, owners and principals

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

12 8

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

Woodard & Curran | woodardcurran.com Alyson Watson, CEO

33 Broad St., Floor 7 Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 273-1007

10 10

Civil, environmental, instrumentation and controls, sewer and waste, utility, water

Northeast Engineers & Consultants Inc. | northeastengineers.com Daniel Szymanski, president

6 Valley Road Middletown, R.I. 02842 (401) 849-0810

6 0

Civil, coastal, environmental, GIS, ISDS, land development, structural, survey

2021: 11

10

C. A. Pretzer Associates Inc. | capretzer.com Michael J. Grafe, president

50 Freeway Drive Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 785-2690

6 5

Structural-engineering consulting firm

2021: 14

12

Bryant Associates Inc. | bryant-engrs.com Jeffrey C. Bryant, CEO

640 George Washington Highway Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 722-7660

5 1

Civil, construction management, permitting, structural, surveying, transportation

2021: 17

13

Joe Casali Engineering Inc. | joecasali.com Joseph Casali, president

300 Post Road Warwick, R.I. 02888 (401) 944-1300

3 4

Civil, site and geotechnical engineering

14 2021: NL

Harbor Engineering LLC | harboreng.com August J. Kreuzkamp

26 Bosworth St., Suite F Barrington, R.I. 02806 (401) 829-4870

2 1

Engineers experienced with designing marine construction projects, including residential docks, piers, marinas, seawalls, bulkheads, revetments, marine terminals, and boat ramps

Arden Building Cos. LLC | ardenbuildingcompanies.com Robert Bolton, CEO

505 Narragansett Park Drive Pawtucket, R.I. 02861 (401) 727-3500

2 16

Electrical, fire protection, HVAC and plumbing

2021: 10

7 2021: 6 9

2021: 6

10

2021: 12

14

2021: 18

YEARS

26 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

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IT’S PERSONAL Johnson to lead RWP Zoo STACEY JOHNSON, the former director of conservation science operations for the San Diego Zoo, was recently named the new executive director for the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence. Johnson replaces Dr. Jeremy Goodman, who departed the zoo in September 2021 to become the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s next CEO and president.

What about the zoo attracted you most in wanting to become its new leader?

Roger Williams Park Zoo has a track record of significant wildlife conservation leadership dating back decades, and our education programs are recognized throughout New England. We have a top-notch team that is respected throughout the profession, not to mention being a dedicated, caring and fun bunch of people. The zoo’s relationship with the people of Rhode Island is invigorating. I have worked in zoos around the country but have never before experienced such intense affection and support from everyone I meet.

What are your plans for the zoo as its director?

The zoo has a solid and ambitious master plan already in place, and among its successes is the amazing Faces of the Rainforest habitat. Moving forward, we will adapt that plan to continue upgrading our animal population and connect it to our conservation initiatives. That will include species you expect to see at the zoo, as well as some critters our guests might never have encountered before. We will emphasize animal welfare and guest service at every turn, and wrap educational moments in family-friendly experiences throughout every visit. The objective is to establish the zoo as a regional resource for conserving nature and to enhance its reputation as a destination.

Last year, the zoo set a new attendance record. How will it build on its success?

Welcoming 835,000 guests through our gates in 2021 was a major milestone and we are grateful for the confidence that people place in us. The zoo was frugal during the pandemic and will continue to be careful using its resources. So, we are investing in renovations of several animal habitats and making improvements to behind-the-scenes facilities and equipment. We will also expand our team in a few key areas to keep up with a growing animal population alongside the increased number of guests visiting the zoo.

Does the zoo have any new programming on the horizon? If so, what kind?

I do not think it is an overstatement to say that our team sees its mission as saving the natural world, and we challenge ourselves to empower guests to join us in conserving wildlife and wild places. Roger Williams Park Zoo leads several programs protecting native New England species, and we support international initiatives for others. Presently, we are drafting a conservation strategy to broaden significantly both the scale and scope of the programs and projects we undertake. As we foster more links from our zoo population to the wild, we plan to initiate scientific investigation … that demonstrates measurable positive impact on our animals’ wild counterparts and habitats. n

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IT’S PERSONAL MACKAY’S MORAL | BY HARVEY MACKAY

Discipline is key AS I WATCHED THE ATHLETES perform at the Winter Olympic Games, I could only imagine their desire, determination and dedication, not to mention commitment, enthusiasm and mental toughness. They set goals and prepared. They had discipline.

It’s the same in business.

It doesn’t matter whether you are pursuing success in business, sports, the arts, or life in general. The difference between wishing and accomplishing is discipline.

Discipline is all about setting goals, figuring out a schedule to achieve those goals and following your plan.

Discipline turns ability into achievement. Dreams may get you started, but discipline keeps you going. Talent without discipline is nothing more than wasted opportunity.

Zig Ziglar said, “It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.”

Most people aim to do right; they just fail to pull the trigger. For whatever reason, they just don’t have the wherewithal to finish the job. They lack discipline.

Good intentions aren’t enough.

People have good intentions when they set a goal to do something, but then they miss a deadline or a workout. Suddenly it gets a lot easier to miss again – and again and again.

“Discipline is the foundation upon which all success is built,” said the late motivational speaker Jim Rohn.

“Lack of discipline inevitably leads to failure. Discipline is the bridge between thought and accomplishment ... the glue that binds inspiration to achievement ... the magic that turns financial necessity into the creation of an inspired work of art.”

Whenever I eyeball a resume for a management job at my envelope company, I look for evidence of self-discipline. As candidates have prepared themselves for past jobs, did they identify and master three to five key self-disciplines essential to future success?

Did they take leadership on difficult projects that required developing new skills? Were they flexible when

original plans had to be adjusted to conform to changing needs? Could they put ego aside when others had better ideas? Were they able to maintain control when challenged by customers or co-workers?

Keeping focused when things are going well is often as difficult as doing so when glitches surface. Selfdiscipline is what finishes the job.

Managers, especially, need to model self-discipline so that their teams observe how it’s done and can follow their example.

And employees aren’t the only ones who see discipline in action.

Customers take notice of how organizations conduct themselves. If they see a sloppy operation, they assume shoddy results. If they see a well-oiled machine, their confidence in the final product increases.

Discipline is an investment in your future.

Here’s a story to drive the point home. A family was gathered for din-

Talent without discipline is nothing more than wasted opportunity.

ner one night when the youngest son announced that he had just enlisted in the army. There were audible gasps around the table, then some laughter, as his older brothers shared their disbelief that he could handle this new situation.

“Oh, come on, quit joking,” snickered one.

“You didn’t really do that, did you?” asked another. “You would never get through basic training.”

Finally, his father spoke up. “It’s going to take a lot of discipline. Are you ready for that?”

The new recruit looked to his mother for help, but she was just gazing at him. When she finally spoke, she simply asked, “Do you really plan to make your own bed every morning?”

Mackay’s Moral: Keep your head and heart going in the right direction and you’ll never have to worry about your feet. 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.

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IT’S PERSONAL GUEST COLUMN | DAVID SOLL

The pain of food prices THE COST OF EGGS AND BREAD is soaring – a trend that’s particularly punishing for the poorest Americans.

Average food prices climbed at an annualized rate of 10.4% in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on July 13. The gains were driven primarily by the cost of groceries, which jumped the most since the 1970s, by 12.2%. Overall inflation was up 9.1% from a year earlier.

These sharp increases have startled consumers, in large part because food costs had been rising moderately for decades.

While all Americans have seen their grocery bills swell, many may not fully appreciate the enormous burden that rising food costs pose for low-income households. The reason is simple: Poor families spend a much larger share of their income on food than the median household.

In 2020, the average middle-income American family spent roughly 12% of its earnings on food. In sharp contrast, poor households spent 27% on food that year.

What explains this enormous discrepancy? The answer begins with a dramatic change in spending patterns

among American households during the 20th century, which I learned while researching shifts in commuting practices.

In the 1900s, the bare necessities of life, including food, were enormously expensive compared with today, leaving little room for spending on other goods or services for most Americans, according to a 2006 study by the U.S. Department of Labor. On average, American families spent over 40% of their income on food in 1901, 23% on housing and 14% on clothing.

But the relative cost of food and clothing decreased steadily over the next 100 years. By 2002, the two categories represented only 17.3% of a middle-class family’s expenditures and by 2020, the figure had fallen to 14.2%.

The sharp drop in the cost of food and clothing led to a massive reshuffling of family budgets over roughly

the past century. As people reduced their spending on these items, they spent more on housing, transportation and insurance. As the country became wealthier, discretionary spending increased, too. Most Americans had more room in their budgets for eating out, televisions and entertainment.

This revolution in household spending largely excluded poor Americans, who continue to devote most of their income to feed their families and other necessities such as shelter.

As a result, they are particularly vulnerable to spikes in food costs.

Low-income households devote more than twice as large a share of their budgets to food as middleincome households. As a result, food inflation is [about] twice as burdensome for families of limited means.

But this actually understates the burden of high food costs on the poor

Food inflation is [about] twice as burdensome for families of limited means.

because unlike middle-class families, they have little discretionary spending they can pare back to free up funds for food.

American households are responding to soaring food inflation by eating out less frequently, buying generic brands and consuming less meat. For many, it may be the first time they’ve ever had to be so careful about what they spent on food.

Poor families, however, have long been forced to deploy these tactics to keep food expenditures in check.

An estimated 38 million Americans are food insecure, meaning that they have insufficient means to obtain sufficient food. The concern is that with food inflation rising at the rate it is, more families will face the prospect of being unsure where their next meal is coming from. n David Soll is an associate professor of history and environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Distributed by The Associated Press.

GUEST COLUMN | SUZANNE MCLEOD

Staving off summer learning loss WORRIED YOUR KIDS will forget what they learned in school over the summer? Scholars have been studying the problem for over a century.

When William White, a New York state mathematics professor, set out in the early 1900s to study how much math students remembered over summer vacation, he checked to see how well they would do at the start of school on tests they had taken at the end of the previous school year.

Whereas second graders on average got nine out of 70 questions wrong in June, after the summer break on average they got 25 out of 70 wrong.

But after two weeks of drills, the number of wrong answers dropped to 15.

His study – published in 1906 – was one of the first to identify what educators today refer to as “summer learning loss,” the negative effect that a long summer break has on students’ ability to remember facts and skills they learned the previous school year.

Studies of summer loss increased in the 1990s. Over the summer, students typically lose the equivalent of about a month’s worth of learning, mostly in the areas of

math facts and spelling.

Some people have argued that summer loss wouldn’t occur if the U.S. had a longer school year. For instance, they point to countries such as China, where the school year is 245 days, as opposed to the traditional 180-day school year in the U.S. China is ranked first in the top 20 nations in terms of student scores in math, science and reading. The U.S. is ranked No. 25 out of 77 countries.

But shorter school years don’t always result in lower test scores. For instance, students in Ireland outscore American students on math, science and reading by an average of 10 points, according to the Program for International Student Assessment, yet attend school for only 167 days.

There are ways that parents and other caregivers can stave off summer loss that do not involve school.

Model what you want to see. Children will do what they see the adults around them do. Summer is the perfect time for you to reduce screen time and increase time reading, writing, taking walks, playing games or having conversations.

Visit the library. Children love independence. One of the best ways to allow children to demonstrate independence is to have them browse the shelves of the local library and select books that they can read independently or for you to read aloud to them.

Play games during trips. When traveling by car, bus or train, there are games – both word and number – that you can engage in with your children. For instance, you can play “I Spy with My Little Eye” or even look for all the words that begin with a certain letter. These activities not only keep children engaged but also

Students typically lose the equivalent of about a month’s worth of learning.

30 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

incrementally sharpen their skills in a wide range of academic areas.

Encourage your children to keep a summer journal. To get them started, suggest one journal entry of “10 Things I Want to Do Before Summer is Over.” The list can include activities such as watching the sunrise or going an entire day without wearing shoes. Encourage children to fill the journal with writing and drawing.

Visit landmarks. Plan visits to acquaint you and your children with local landmarks. Document the visit with a journal entry, drawings or photographs and some research.

Plan weekly family picnics. Let your children plan the menu, cook with you and pick the picnic site. Research has found that involving children in the preparation of meals by doing things such as making grocery lists can help improve their reading, writing and math skills. n Suzanne McLeod is an assistant professor of educational leadership at Binghamton University State University of New York. Distributed

by The Associated Press.

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OUROUR OUR MISSION MISSION OUR MISSION MISSION Our mission Our mission is to is unite is to to unite our community ourour community and resources and resources to build to build build racial racial equity equity and and Our Our mission mission is unite to unite our community community and and resources resources to to build racial racial equity equity and and opportunities opportunities for all for Rhode allall Rhode Islanders.

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We’ve We’ve enhanced enhanced childcare, childcare, programs programs backed backed by research, research, data, and and results. results.

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VISIT PBN.COM/GIVING-GUIDE-3/ TO VIEW THE 2021 EDITION

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We have WeWe specific, have specific, measurable measurable goalsgoals goals in four infocus four focus areas. areas.

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Examples Examples include: include: Economic Economic security: security: Double Double the number thethe number of Rhode of Rhode Rhode Island cities cities andcities andand Economic Economic security: security: Double Double the number number of ofIsland Rhode Island Island cities and townstowns towns that are that meeting areare meeting the 10% thethe affordable 10% affordable housing housing threshold threshold towns that that are meeting meeting the 10% 10% affordable affordable housing housing threshold threshold (with(with (with a specific specific focus onfocus core oncities). core cities). (with aa specific afocus specific focus on core on core cities). cities).

Childhood Childhood learning: learning: Double Double fourth-grade fourth-grade reading reading proficiency proficiency of of of of Childhood Childhood learning: learning: Double Double fourth-grade fourth-grade reading reading proficiency proficiency RhodeRhode Rhode Island’s Island’s Black Black and Latinx and Latinx children. children.

Rhode Island’s Island’s Black Black andand Latinx Latinx children. children.

Philanthropy: Philanthropy: Increase Increase by 50% by 50% (2.2 50% to (2.2 3.3%) to 3.3%) 3.3%) the portion thethe portion of Rhode of Rhode Rhode Philanthropy: Philanthropy: Increase Increase by by 50% (2.2 (2.2 to to 3.3%) the portion portion of of Rhode IslandIsland Island households households that contribute that contribute to charities. to charities. charities.

Island households households that that contribute contribute to to charities.

Advocacy: Advocacy: Increase Increase by 50% by 50% the 50% number thethe number of policies of policies policies implemented Advocacy: Advocacy: Increase Increase by by 50% the number number of of implemented policies implemented implemented that address that address equity equity and social andand social justice. justice. that that address address equity equity and social social justice. justice.

ANNUAL ANNUAL REVENUE REVENUE ANNUAL ANNUAL REVENUE REVENUE

$47,252,681 $47,252,681 $47,252,681 $47,252,681

YEARYEAR YEAR ESTABLISHED ESTABLISHED YEAR ESTABLISHED ESTABLISHED

1926 1926 1926 1926

FUNDRAISING/EVENTS FUNDRAISING/EVENTS FUNDRAISING/EVENTS

United United Way of Way Rhode of Rhode Rhode Island’s work work is made is made made possible possible by by by by United United Way Way of ofIsland’s Rhode Island’s Island’s work work is is made possible possible the support thethe support of more of more more than 6,400 than 6,400 Rhode Rhode Islanders Islanders who are who areare the support support of of more than than 6,400 6,400 Rhode Rhode Islanders Islanders who who are committed committed to solving to solving solving state’s ourour state’s biggest biggest problems. problems.

Our Our OurOur committed committed to toour solving our state’s state’s biggest biggest problems. problems. workplace workplace givinggiving giving campaigns campaigns at more at more more than 300 than companies 300300 companies workplace workplace giving campaigns campaigns at at more than than 300 companies companies educate educate employees employees aboutabout about areas areas of areas need of need and need engage andand engage them them educate educate employees employees about areas of of need and engage engage them them around around shared shared purpose. purpose. around around shared shared purpose. purpose.

In 2020, In 2020, 2020, we2020, launched wewe launched 401Gives, 401Gives, whichwhich which raised raised anraised additional an additional additional In In we launched launched 401Gives, 401Gives, which raised an an additional $1.2 million $1.2$1.2 million from more from more than 7,000 than 7,000 donors donors to benefit to benefit benefit $1.2 million million from from more more than than 7,000 7,000 donors donors to to benefit nonprofits nonprofits throughout throughout RhodeRhode Rhode Island.

Island.

InIsland.

2021, In 2021, 2021, we raised wewe raised $2.3 $2.3$2.3 nonprofits nonprofits throughout throughout Rhode Island.

In In 2021, we raised raised $2.3 million million from more from more than 12,000 than 12,000 donors donors —donors a 75% — aa— increase.

75% increase. million million from from more more than than 12,000 12,000 donors — 75% a 75% increase. increase.

OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES

>>ADVOCATE >>ADVOCATE Our Advocacy OurOur Advocacy 101/201 101/201 training training series series andseries other andand other programs programs inspire inspire Rhode Rhode Islanders Islanders >>ADVOCATE >>ADVOCATE Our Advocacy Advocacy 101/201 101/201 training training series and other other programs programs inspire inspire Rhode Rhode Islanders Islanders to vote, to vote, run vote, for run office, forfor office, and advocate andand advocate for the for platforms thethe platforms they are they most areare passionate most passionate about.about. about. to to vote, run run for office, office, and advocate advocate for for the platforms platforms they they are most most passionate passionate about.

CORTNEY CORTNEY NICOLATO NICOLATO CORTNEY CORTNEY NICOLATO NICOLATO President President and CEO andand CEO President President and CEO CEO

>>DONATE >>DONATE Help us Help make us make make Rhode Rhode Island Island a place place where where everyone everyone can live, cancan learn, live, learn, and thrive andand thrive bythrive by by >>DONATE >>DONATE Help Help us us make Rhode Rhode Island Island aa place a place where where everyone everyone can live, live, learn, learn, and thrive by donating donating to support to support support our work. ourour work. donating donating to to support our work. work. >>ENGAGE >>ENGAGE Contact Contact us to us create us to to create shared shared purpose program program encompassing encompassing corporate corporate giving, giving, >>ENGAGE >>ENGAGE Contact Contact uscreate toa create aa shared apurpose shared purpose purpose program program encompassing encompassing corporate corporate giving, giving, employee employee volunteering, volunteering, workplace workplace givinggiving giving campaigns, campaigns, and related andand related communications communications employee employee volunteering, volunteering, workplace workplace giving campaigns, campaigns, and related related communications communications programs. programs. programs. programs. >>JOIN >>JOIN Deepen Deepen your involvement your involvement with our with mission ourour mission by joining by joining joining the Impact thethe Impact Network, Network, the the thethe >>JOIN >>JOIN Deepen Deepen your your involvement involvement with with our mission mission by by joining the Impact Impact Network, Network, RhodeRhode Rhode Island Island Afterschool Afterschool Network, Network, Women Women United, United, or ouror orYoung our Young Leaders Leaders Circle.

Circle.

Rhode Island Island Afterschool Afterschool Network, Network, Women Women United, United, our or our Young Young Leaders Leaders Circle.

Circle. >>VOLUNTEER >>VOLUNTEER Volunteer Volunteer for organizations forfor organizations throughout throughout the state thethe state viastate our viaonline ourour online Volunteer Volunteer >>VOLUNTEER >>VOLUNTEER Volunteer Volunteer for organizations organizations throughout throughout the state via via our online online Volunteer Volunteer Center.

Center.

Center.

Center.

Help Help Helpraise raise raise$4 $4 $4million million millionfor for for R.I. R.I. nonprofits day.

R.I.nonprofits nonprofitsininin111day. day.

BOARD MEMBERS BOARD BOARD MEMBERS MEMBERS

TOPTOP FUNDING TOP FUNDING FUNDING SOURCES SOURCES SOURCES

OUR OURMISSION MISSION Create Createand andsupport supportone-to-one one-to-onementoring mentoringrelationships relationships that thatignite ignitethe thepower powerand andpromise promiseof ofyouth youth

PublicPublic Public Support: Support: 48% 48% 48% Public Support: Support: 48% GrantGrant Grant Income: Income: 34% 34% 34% Grant Income: Income: 34%

OUR OURVISION VISION All Allyouth youthachieve achievetheir theirfull fullpotential potential

LOCATION LOCATION

Rising RisingSun SunMills Mills 188 188Valley ValleyStreet, Street,Suite Suite125 125 Providence, Providence,RI RI02909 02909 PHONE PHONENUMBER NUMBER

401-921-2434 401-921-2434 WEBSITE WEBSITE

www.BigsRI.org www.BigsRI.org

Investment Investment and and andand Investment Investment otherother other income: income: 19% 19% 19% other income: income: 19%

GOALS GOALS

AldenAlden Alden M.Alden Anderson M. Anderson Anderson Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr.Terri A. Terri Monjar A. Monjar Monjar M. M. Anderson Terri Terri A. A. Monjar Marcela Marcela Betancur Betancur Barbara A. Mullen, A. Mullen, Mullen, Ph.D. Marcela Marcela Betancur Betancur Barbara Barbara Barbara A. A. Ph.D. Mullen, Ph.D. Ph.D. BrianBrian Brian Carroll Carroll Cortney Cortney M. Nicolato M. Nicolato Nicolato Brian Carroll Carroll Cortney Cortney M. M. Nicolato Barbara Barbara Chernow Chernow Gregg Perry Perry Barbara Barbara Chernow Chernow GreggGregg Gregg Perry Perry Wes Cotter Wes Cotter Joseph Joseph Pierik Pierik Wes Wes Cotter Cotter Joseph Joseph Pierik Pierik Joanne Joanne M. Daly, M. Daly, CDFA® Daly, CDFA® Betsey Betsey A.Betsey Purinton, A. Purinton, Purinton, CFP® CFP® CFP® Joanne Joanne M. M. Daly, CDFA® CDFA® Betsey A. A. Purinton, CFP® JayneJayne Jayne M.Jayne Donegan M. Donegan Donegan R. Anthony Anthony Rolle,Rolle, Rolle, Ph.D. Ph.D. M. M. Donegan R. Anthony R. R. Anthony Rolle, Ph.D. Ph.D. PaolaPaola Paola N. Paola Fernandez N. Fernandez Fernandez Ramona Royal,Royal, Royal, PHR, CPCU PHR, CPCU N. N. Fernandez Ramona Ramona Ramona Royal, PHR, PHR, CPCU CPCU JamesJames James R.James Galloway R. Galloway Galloway Christopher A. Sabitoni A. Sabitoni Sabitoni R. R. Galloway Christopher Christopher Christopher A. A. Sabitoni JuniorJunior Junior Jabbie Jabbie FrankFrank Frank D.Frank Sánchez, D. Sánchez, Sánchez, Ph.D.Ph.D. Ph.D. Junior Jabbie Jabbie D. D. Sánchez, Ph.D. DolphDolph Dolph Johnson Johnson Rena Sheehan, Rena Sheehan, MBA, MBA, LICSW LICSW Dolph Johnson Johnson Rena Rena Sheehan, Sheehan, MBA, MBA, LICSW LICSW Wendy Wendy E.Wendy Kagan E. Kagan Kagan Terence Terence M. Sobolewski M. Sobolewski Sobolewski Wendy E. E. Kagan Terence Terence M. M. Sobolewski Robert Robert R.Robert Kent R. Jr. Kent Jr. Jr. Suresh Suresh Swaminathan Swaminathan Robert R. Kent R. Kent Jr. Suresh Suresh Swaminathan Swaminathan

20 | OCTOBER 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS ■ GIVING Guide 2021 | www.pbn.com

Big BigBrothers BrothersBig BigSisters Sistersof ofRhode RhodeIsland Islandisisaamentoring mentoringorganization organizationthat’s that’sbeen been providing providingmentors mentorsto tothe theyouth youthof ofRI RIfor for55 55years! years!We Wecurrently currentlyserve servemore morethan than 350 350individuals individualsin inour ourcommunity! community!Our Ourprograms programsaim aimto: to:

United WayWay ofWay Rhode Island hosts 401Gives, a statewide day day of day United United of of Rhode Rhode Island Island hosts hosts 401Gives, 401Gives, a statewide a statewide of of giving, on April 1,April 2022.

24-hour online fundraising campaign giving, giving, onon April 1, 2022.

1, The 2022.

The The 24-hour 24-hour online online fundraising fundraising campaign campaign is designed to bring abring collective voice to Rhode Island’s nonprofit is designed is designed to to bring a collective a collective voice voice to to Rhode Rhode Island’s Island’s nonprofit nonprofit community and and deepen our state’s culture of giving. community community and deepen deepen ourour state’s state’s culture culture of of giving. giving.

Nonprofit registration opens November 8, 2021. become a a a Nonprofit Nonprofit registration registration opens opens November November 8, 2021.

8, To 2021.

ToTo become become sponsor, or toorreceive information about registering youryour nonprofit, sponsor, sponsor, or to to receive receive information information about about registering registering your nonprofit, nonprofit, contact us atus401gives@unitedwayri.org. contact contact us at at 401gives@unitedwayri.org.

401gives@unitedwayri.org.

IGNITE IGNITEnew newperspectives perspectivesand andinterests interestsin inyouth youth EMPOWER EMPOWERyouth youthto toset setgoals goalsand andsee seetheir theirfull fullpotential! potential!

powered powered byWay by powered powered by powered United

by Way United of Rhode WayWay of Island Rhode Island powered powered by byRhode powered by United

by United of Rhode of Island Island LOCATION United United Way of Way Rhode of Rhode Rhode Island Island United United Way Way of of Rhode Island Island 655 Broad Street

$1,383,500 $1,383,500

YEAR YEARESTABLISHED ESTABLISHED

1966 1966

ADVOCATE ADVOCATE

>> >>Let LetBBBSRI BBBSRIvisit visityour yourplace placeof ofemployment, employment, community communityorganization, organization,faith faithcommunity communityetc. etc.to to share shareabout aboutmentoring mentoringopportunities! opportunities!

To Tolearn learnmore moreabout aboutVolunteering Volunteeringor orAdvocating: Advocating: Mentoring@BigsRI.org Mentoring@BigsRI.org To Tolearn learnmore moreabout aboutdonating donatingclothes/textiles: clothes/textiles: Donate@BigsRI.org Donate@BigsRI.org

>> >>Welcome WelcomeTo ToSummer Summer––June June >> >>Bowl Bowlfor forKids’ Kids’Sake Sake––September September >> >>The TheBig BigWalk Walk––October October

TOP TOP FUNDING FUNDING SOURCES SOURCES Fundraising FundraisingEvents Events––13% 13% Grants Grants––7% 7%

has hasbeen beenwith withthe theagency agency since since2013.

2013.Originally Originallyhired hiredas as Director Directorof ofDevelopment Developmentand and promoted promotedto toher hercurrent currentposition position in in2015.

2015.Katje Katjehas hasworked workedin in the thenon-profit non-profitsector sectorfor for17+ 17+ years, years,and andhas hasexperience experiencewith with program programmanagement managementand andfund fund development. development.Katje Katjeisisaagraduate graduate of ofJohnson Johnson&&Wales WalesUniversity, University, with withaaBS BSin inMarketing.

Marketing.Over Overthe the last lastfive fiveyears, years,Katje Katjehas hasled ledthe the organization organizationtowards towardsstrategic strategic change, change,resulting resultingin inincreased increased fundraising fundraisingat atreduced reducedcost cost per perdollar dollarraised raisedand andenhanced enhanced program programoutcomes outcomesfor forall all participants. participants.

13 FTE 6 AmeriCorps VISTAs ANNUAL REVENUE

PUBLISH DATE:

October 28, 2022 MATERIALS DUE:

BOARD BOARDMEMBERS MEMBERS C. C.Paul PaulOberg Oberg President President

September 28, 2022

Joseph JosephManera Manera Vice VicePresident President David DavidFontes Fontes Treasurer Treasurer Yomayra YomayraReyes Reyes Secretary Secretary Hilina HilinaD. D.Ajakaiye Ajakaiye

Private PrivateDonations Donations––4% 4%

Liz LizCatucci Catucci Rosie RosieFernandez Fernandez

Corporate CorporatePartners Partners4% 4%

Donation DonationCenter CenterSubsidiary Subsidiary––71% 71%

Tom TomFurey Furey Olga OlgaLowe Lowe Michael MichaelE. E.Smith Smith

www.pbn.com | GIVING Guide 2021 ■ PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 2021

The Clinic raises 100% of its $1.4 million operating budget from donations. Our patients receive care at no cost. With this $1.4 million, the Clinic leverages over $6 million more in donations of goods and services each year.

YEAR ESTABLISHED

1999 by former First Lady Stephanie Chafee. The Clinic celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2023.

| 9

GOALS

PROVIDE CARE FOR RHODE ISLANDERS HARDEST HIT

BY COVID-19. You can help us provide vital care to uninsured, low-income adults. Working poor and people of color are hardest hit by the pandemic. They suffer disproportionately and need healthcare. You can provide COVID-19 Tests, Vaccines, and follow-up care with a donation. Primary care, dental, behavioral health, specialist services, labs and tests, and medicine are essential during this unprecedented time.

If you are a healthcare professional, we need you to volunteer now.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!

FUNDRAISING / EVENTS

This is a critical moment in time for the Clinic. We are operating a COVID-19 Test and Vaccination Site to make sure everyone has access. Our Medical & Dental Volunteers and the people we serve are on the front lines. They need your help now more than ever before!

Demand for care is increasing every day.

DONATING RIGHT NOW WILL ALLOW MORE PATIENTS TO GET THE CARE THEY NEED.

OPPORTUNITIES

MARIE GHAZAL CEO

WILLIAM FITZGERALD Board President

BOARD MEMBERS

William Fitzgerald, Board President Carrie Bridges Féliz, MPH, Vice President Jeffrey Chase-Lubitz, Esq., Secretary George Greer, Treasurer Ross Hilliard, MD, Medical Director Mark Gim, President Emeritus Jehanne Bjornebye, Esq. Whitney Clarke Andrew Davis, Esq. Loree Dubois Diana Ducharme, Esq. Travis Escobar Rilwan Feyisitan Jerry Fingerut, MD

Pat PatButler Butler

Restricted RestrictedDonations Donations––1% 1%

8 | OCTOBER 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS ■ GIVING Guide 2021 | www.pbn.com

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

KATJE KATJEN. N.AFONSECA AFONSECA,,BS, BS,CEO, CEO,

OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES

>> >>Donate Donatefinancially financiallyto tohelp helpsupport supportmentoring mentoring relationships relationshipsthroughout throughoutRI RI >> >>Donate Donateclothing, clothing,sheets, sheets,textiles, textiles,and andshoes shoesto toour our Donation DonationCenter Centervia viaat-home at-homepickups, pickups,our ourDonation Donation Drop-Off Drop-OffCenters, Centers,or orat atany anyBBBSRI BBBSRIbin binthroughout throughout the thestate. state.Visit Visithttps://bigsri.org/donateri https://bigsri.org/donateri

>> >>Annual AnnualScholarship ScholarshipLuncheon Luncheon––May May

| 21

www.rifreeclinic.org

DONATE DONATE

2022 2022 ANNUAL ANNUAL FUNDRAISING FUNDRAISING EVENTS EVENTS

Providence, RI 02907

www.pbn.com | GIVING Guide 2021 ■ PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 2021 PHONE NUMBER WEBSITE

>> >>Become BecomeaaMentor Mentorin inour ourCommunity CommunityBased BasedMentoring MentoringProgram.

Program.This Thisprogram programpairs pairs youth youthbetween betweenthe theages agesof of7-14 7-14with withadult adultmentors mentorsat atleast least19 19years yearsof ofage, age,1:1 1:1out outin in the thecommunity. community. >> >>Bigs Bigsand andLittles Littlesare arepaired pairedon onthe thebasis basisof ofproximity, proximity,interests, interests,personality, personality,child’s child’s goals goalsand andvolunteer’s volunteer’sstrengths. strengths. >> >>Bigs Bigsmust mustreside residein inRI RIor orsurrounding surroundingareas areasand andbe bewilling willingto tocommit committo toat atleast least18 18 months monthsto tothe theprogram programand andabout about3-6 3-6hours hourstwice twicemonthly! monthly!

ANNUAL ANNUALREVENUE REVENUE

GIVES GIVES GIVES 401-274-6347

VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEER

NUMBER NUMBEROF OFEMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES

OUR MISSION The Rhode Island Free Clinic’s mission is to provide free, comprehensive medical care and preventive health services to adults who have no health insurance and cannot afford those services; and to serve as an educational training site for aspiring health care professionals.

www.401gives.org www.401gives.org www.401gives.org

INSPIRE INSPIREthe theyouth youthof ofRI RIsocially, socially,emotionally, emotionally,and andeducationally educationally

34 34

401 401 401

Brendan Kane Michele Lederberg, Esq. Joseph Perroni Herbert Rakatansky, MD Philip Rizzuto, MD Marina Rodriguez, MD Caroline Troise, MD

VOLUNTEER: Our award-winning Clinic provides cost effective health care to Rhode Island adults who need it most. We seek Volunteer Medical and Dental professionals. We need Spanish Interpreters to help provide care to Spanish speaking patients. Each year our 600+ volunteers coordinate 11,000+ patient visits including medicines, and now, COVID-19 Tests, Vaccinations, and follow-up. We screen our patients for COVID-19.

If you volunteer, your safety is our TOP FUNDING priority. COVID-19 has increased SOURCES demand for care, and we need your 23% Individuals help now. For more information to volunteer, contact Megan Sousa at msousa@rifreeclinic.org or 401.274.6347 x203.

27% Corporations 50% Grants

GIVE: We leverage every $1 donated into $6 of additional donated medicine and services. Just 12% of our budget goes to administration. Our cost to deliver comprehensive health care to vulnerable Rhode Islanders is just $500 per person per year, far less than the national estimated average of $11,000. Make your donation go further by visiting our website or contacting Marvin Ronning at mronning@rifreeclinic.org or 401.274.6347 ext. 322.

Rhode Island Free Clinic honors our inspiring Corps of Medical and Dental Volunteers, Community Partners, and Donors for their extraordinary commitment to ensure vital care for vulnerable adults during the pandemic, and beyond. Thank you.

www.pbn.com | GIVING Guide 2021 ■ PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 2021

| 17

Find out more on how to include your profile in the 2022 edition.

Contact your account manager or Advertising@PBN.com | 401-680-4800 www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | 31

OPINION EDITORIALS

Progress on MBE contracting limited without enforcement

MAKING GAINS: Tomás Ávila sees growing support for the state’s Minority Business Enterprise program, which he oversees, but acknowledges better enforcement is needed.

PBN FILE PHOTO/ MIKE SKORSKI

This year’s General Assembly session ended without changes to the state’s Minority Business Enterprise program, despite a $500,000 study that identified a host of problems.

Tomás Ávila, who oversees the program as associate director for the R.I. Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity, nonetheless told PBN he sees improvements in compliance and growing support in both government agencies and the business community.

That’s good news, as the state embarks on an estimated $1.3 billion in school construction that should generate more than $100 million for minority businesses.

But no amount of networking by Ávila, or promises by others to do better, can overcome fundamental flaws in how a program is managed.

One of the program’s most glaring failures has been the lack of tracking of demographics of minority subcontractors, who in fiscal 2020 received nearly $50 million in payments. Ávila, a Latino community leader who took on program oversight last August, thinks that problem may finally be fixed when a new state bid-tracking system comes online next year.

But a thornier issue identified by the state-funded study is a need for better enforcement of penalties for contractors who fail to meet the 10% minority contracting requirement. Ávila says the problem doesn’t require a legislative fix, just a willingness by the state director of administration to enforce state law to punish contractors who don’t comply.

For the program to work, violators must be punished. If the state won’t do that, then lawmakers and the attorney general’s office need to find out why. n

Efforts to unionize growing Union membership had been on the decline during the pandemic but may suddenly be in the midst of a revival.

A wave of self-organizing efforts by workers at national chains and some local shops has helped fuel the shift. The National Labor Relations Board saw a 57% increase in petitions for union representation in the first half of fiscal 2022 over the same period the previous year.

What’s fueling the movement?

In this week’s cover story, Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, believes it’s tied to inflation and labor shortages that are emboldening workers. While she thinks the movement will ebb, she says hiring challenges are so severe that some employers may rethink traditional resistance to unions.

But the best defense against a potentially disruptive unionization effort is the same as it’s always been, says Timothy Cavazza, a management-side labor attorney and adjunct professor at Roger Williams University law school: “Don’t give [employees] a reason to seek out that representation.” n

Read even MORE business news on PBN.com

POLL CENTRAL EXECUTIVE POLL

Out of the office How many paid holidays does your company offer employees?

More than 9: 100% 1-3: 0% 4-6: 0%

Does your company offer employees paid time off to volunteer in the community?

PBN.COM POLL

Will Rhode Island’s legal protections for abortion be good for the state’s economy?

JULY 8-14

2% Yes, it will help to keep companies here and lure new ones from states banning or limiting abortion

Yes: 60% No: 40%

16% No, abortion is a social issue that doesn’t significantly affect the economy

7-9: 0%

Does your company offer employees rollover vacation time?

No: 75% Yes: 25%

I’m not sure

Does your company offer employees paid family leave beyond the four weeks required

by Rhode Island law?

No: 100% Yes: 0%

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

82% THIS WEEK’S POLL: Is inflation affecting your vacation plans this year?

• Yes, we’re planning or have taken shorter, cheaper trips • Yes, we’re staying local this year • No, we need to get away from all the bad news • No, we budgeted ahead to include rising costs • I’m not sure yet To vote, go to PBN.com and follow the link on the home page

32 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

Your subscription to our print edition includes unlimited access to current articles and archives on our website.

PBN publishes an average of a dozen new stories each day.

See what you’re missing by signing on today, and every day!

Go to PBN.com and click on Sign In/ Register on the top of your screen.

For assistance, call 401-680-4810 or 855-813-5805.

You can also sign up for free daily e-newsletters featuring breaking news, top stories and industry specific reports: PBN.com/email

OPINION OPINION

Could young voters be a deciding factor?

ABBY KIESA GUEST COLUMN

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion has far-reaching personal and political implications and may help decide the midterm elections in November.

That influence extends to young people’s election participation. People ages 18 to 29 have historically been less likely to vote than older adults. But in recent years, they have been spurred to organize and vote by major national controversies, such as school shootings and police violence against Black people.

I believe that the fight over abortion rights now taking place in states has strong potential to motivate and mobilize young voters on both sides of the issue – and that their participation could be decisive in key races around the country.

About 62% of Americans support abortion being legal in all or most cases, according to recent Pew Research polling. But that view is even more widely held among people ages 18 to 29 – 70% of people in that age group support legal abortion.

Young people are also the most likely age group to disapprove of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion. Sixty-nine percent of young people disapprove of the ruling, compared with 60% of adults ages 30 to 49 and half of Americans older than 49.

Women and people of color across all age groups – especially Black and Asian Americans – are also more likely than men and

white people to disapprove of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

That’s notable because young women and young women of color, in particular, have led civic and electoral participation in recent years. Young women voted at a higher rate than young men in 2020. Young women of color were more likely to talk to their peers about politics, attend demonstrations and register others to vote than young white women.

Nearly half of young women said they supported or were active participants in the reproductive rights movement, according to my 2018 survey of people ages 18 to 24.

For some young people, political engagement goes beyond abortion, as a spring 2022 Harvard poll found that about half of young people think the country is on the wrong track.

And 41% of 18-to-29-year-olds surveyed in another poll say the Dobbs decision makes them more likely to vote in the midterms.

Other surveys suggest that specific policies and laws to protect abortion access are top priorities for young voters.

When young people want action on issues they care about, they can feel motivated to push political leaders. Their disappointment or disillusionment with particular politicians does not necessarily mean they’re disillusioned about their own political power.

On the other hand, those who oppose abortion rights may now harbor positive feelings about politics: 19% of young people in the

The fight over abortion rights … has strong potential to motivate and mobilize young voters on both sides.

CBS/YouGov survey said they felt “happy” about the recent decision.

In 2018, my survey of young people before that year’s midterm election found that feeling more disappointed or cynical about politics actually led to a higher, not lower, likelihood to vote.

According to my estimates, the percentage of young people who voted more than doubled from the 2014 midterm election to the 2018 midterms – rising from 13% to 28%.

My research group’s analyses suggest multiple reasons for this jump, including many groups’ starting voter registration much earlier in the year, and the youth-led activism after the Parkland school shooting.

Now that states are deciding on their own abortion laws, young voters’ ballots in gubernatorial and other state and local races may be especially critical in such places as Pennsylvania and Georgia, where new abortion restrictions are a possibility depending on election results.

The potential for impact is there – not just for the majority of young people who support abortion, but for the significant minority who oppose it – 32% of people ages 18 to 29 in the CBS/YouGov poll said they approve of the Supreme Court’s decision on abortion.

Nevada, Maryland and Maine rank among the top 10 states where young people could decide governor races, according to my research. All three states have abortion protections in place, which could motivate young people to vote for candidates who share their position on abortion, whether for or against abortion rights. n Abby Kiesa is deputy director at the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University.

Distributed by The Associated Press.

It’s still unclear if a recession is coming CHRISTOPHER DECKER GUEST COLUMN

The U.S. economy added more jobs than expected in June, signaling the labor market remains strong even as the Federal Reserve tries to weaken it to tame inflation. The July 8 jobs report also showed the unemployment rate remained at a 70-year low of 3.6%.

The report showed that the economy added 372,000 jobs in June. While this figure is down from a revised increase of 384,000 in May and is much lower than other recent gains, it’s still very good by historical standards.

Does this mean there won’t be a recession?

That’s the big question.

June gains were strong, but the job market is clearly cooling off. And there’s evidence the broader economy is weakening – two signs the Fed’s recent aggressive efforts to reduce inflation by choking off growth are working.

The housing market is a case in point.

Average 30-year mortgage rates shot up to a 13-year high of 5.8% in June after the Fed lifted rates by 0.75 percentage points, which has had a chilling effect on home purchases.

And now we’re seeing the effect in residential construction jobs, which declined

for the first time in a year as higher borrowing costs dampened demand. In addition, in May, retail sales unexpectedly declined and a forward-looking economic index fell for a second straight month – both signals of a slowing economy.

It may seem strange that the U.S. central bank is trying to actually hurt economic growth, but that just shows how important policymakers think it is to fight soaring inflation, which is currently the highest in over 40 years.

The problem of rising prices is of major concern to the Fed, as it is a key component of its “dual mandate” to control inflation and maintain healthy job growth.

Runaway inflation is cancerous to any economy. When price growth outpaces that of income, consumers have to curb spending.

Production declines and people lose their jobs. The Fed’s only means of reducing inflation is to curb demand by reducing the supply of money and increasing interest rates.

This, however, also curbs economic growth.

So the Fed is trying to manage a “soft landing” – reducing inflation without hurting growth so much that it causes a recession.

There are some early signs the Fed is succeeding. The economy is slowing, though June jobs show underlying strength in the labor market. At the same time, inflation appears to be easing as well, in part thanks to falling global demand for oil.

But executing a soft landing is a delicate dance. The central bank can reduce demand for things via interest rates, but it can’t do much about supply. The primary reason energy and food costs have been skyrocketing in recent months is not high demand but the war in Ukraine.

Continuing shortages of energy and food mean inflation could stay elevated no matter what the Fed does. And that could result in the Fed’s having to lift interest rates a lot and cut growth to the bone to have a meaningful effect on rising prices.

This makes the Fed’s current dance the most delicate it has attempted since the 1980s, and it must be executed flawlessly for it to succeed. n Christopher Decker is a professor of economics at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Distributed by The Associated Press.

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | 33

ONE LAST THING Find the better way

“THERE

has to be a better way.”

This simple thought is what goes through my mind when facing a new challenge that appears to be straightforward, but for one reason or another I can’t seem to overcome.

I remember having this thought in 2005, in a taxi ride to Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport that cost twice as much as the flight I was about to board. Uber launched a few years later.

I had it again when I founded my first company, and again after consultants I brought on to develop a sales application could not seem to understand our business. This one though, out of necessity, was different.

We needed software to streamline our sales operations to process more orders with less labor. First there was frustration at the sunk costs, then determination to do it ourselves, resolve to keep working at it, until finally when we were done, we saw the opportunity to do the same thing for others.

I have yet to find the perfect time to start a business. Time and money are finite resources, let alone personal and familial priorities.

Today though, it’s easier than ever to make the shift from employee to owner. The pandemic has accelerated behavior changes, along with the opportunities that come with them. Remote work is no longer the exception, giving workers hours back to their day.

The ever-expanding gig economy allows new entrepreneurs to supplement income on their own schedule, which can lower their personal financial risk while chasing their dream.

Taking this agile approach, you might be surprised by the opportunity. Have confidence in your ability to scale. n

Justin Sadler

ninety10 LLC president Justin Sadler founded his Salesforce consulting business, ninety10 LLC, in 2017 in East Greenwich. He also owns and operates Active Data Solutions LLC and Active Properties LLC.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

34 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

REGISTER

NOW

SEPTEMBER 15,

2022

CROWNE PLAZA | 9-11AM

With the recent passage of the bill

to legalize recreational marijuana in Rhode Island and retail sales set to begin December 1st, PBN’s 2022 Business of Cannabis Summit will feature panel discussions with various experts, business executives and community leaders.

—p ane list s co nf i rm ed to da te —

• What can we expect for impact/growth in this sector in RI for local businesses and the local economy?

• What are some of the legal/human resource implications impacting local businesses?

• What are the business development opportunities, challenges and innovations as a licensee, ancillary service provider or consumer?

MICHAEL BUDZISZEK Professor, Johnson & Wales University, Cannabis Entrepreneurship Program

KRISTYN GLENNON Vice President, BSA/AML Officer BayCoast Bank

— p r e s e nt ing sp o ns o r s—

For sponsorship and advertising opportunities, contact 680-4800 or Advertising@pbn.com

BENJAMIN L. RACKLIFFE MATTHEW SANTACROCE Partner, Chief, Office of Pannone Lopes Cannabis Regulation, Devereaux Rhode Island Department & O’Gara LLC of Business Regulation www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | 35

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Are you looking for wall-to-wall WiFi coverage? How about a secure guest network indoors and out? Or maybe all of the above. Whatever your business needs, Cox Business has the technology solutions to make it happen. After working with businesses big and small, we’re ready to work with you.

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Visit coxbusiness.com for details. © 2022 Cox Communications Inc. All rights reserved. PAD107892-0028

36 | JULY 22-AUGUST 4, 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

2022 AWARDS GIFT SPONSOR

PRESENTING SPONSOR

40under forty 2022 AWARDS PRESENTING SPONSOR MESSAGE

FROM THE EDITOR

Steeled by COVID-19, new leaders emerge HOW HAS COVID-19 changed your industry?

Founded 176 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. As we move forward from these uncertain times, it is especially important 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 fourth consecutive year to recognize the 2022 “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.

It’s a question we asked this year’s outstanding group of 40 Under Forty winners that most could have written a lengthy essay on.

Instead, they got a few lines. The words they used most often say a lot about the survivors who’ve embraced the challenges and come out stronger.

Devastating, hard, tough and disruptive effects were acknowledged. But accelerated, creative, innovative, adapt and nimble came up far more often.

“Completely,” acknowledged Pieter Martens.

Indeed, for many industries the changes have been dramatic and lasting.

But for the high achievers who dominate this year’s group, the changes have also allowed the 40 Under Forty to show their leadership and the power of positive thinking.

In so doing, they’ve helped their companies through it and shown themselves and their colleagues they can handle whatever comes next.

“It showed my team that we are truly unstoppable,” said Lauren Malloy.

“Tackling COVID-19 was just another Tuesday for us,” said Gregory Garvin, noting how the routine of being ready for the unexpected in construction prepped him and his team for the last two years.

“The Great Resignation provides opportunities for in-roads to great-paying jobs,” noted Amy Grzybowski, focusing on the opportunity rather than difficult challenges beyond her control.

It’s a great lesson for those like her working in education to share with future generations of 40 Under Forty candidates.

As is the advice from her grandfather that Ashleigh Crowe lives by: “It takes a certain person to run toward a fire,” he said. “Each day,” said Crowe, “I choose to run toward the fire.”

Read on for more pearls of wisdom we can all benefit from.

We’d especially like to thank our returning presenting sponsor for our 18th edition of 40 Under Forty, Bristol County Savings Bank.

Michael Mello Editor

CONTENTS Justin D. Bibee................................................................................. 4 Lauren Brennan.............................................................................. 4 Chris Burch..................................................................................... 5 Timothy Chaves.............................................................................. 6 Patricia Conn Ryan.......................................................................... 6 Ashleigh Crowe............................................................................... 6 Justin Deveau.................................................................................. 7 Tolulope Fayanjuola....................................................................... 7 Holly Ferrara................................................................................... 8 Beth Flanagan................................................................................. 8 Gregory Garvin............................................................................... 9 Amy Grzybowski............................................................................. 9 Theresa Jenner.............................................................................. 10 Lauren Malloy............................................................................... 10 Pieter Martens............................................................................... 11 Nicole Martucci.............................................................................. 11 Kristin McCabe..............................................................................12 Bryan McCarthy.............................................................................12 Allendre McGovern-Siembab.........................................................12 Kia McNeill.................................................................................... 13 Michael Menard............................................................................. 13 Lenore Montanaro.........................................................................14 Julie Moura....................................................................................14 Patrick Mullen...............................................................................15 Zachary Nieder..............................................................................15 Leslie Parker..................................................................................16 James Rajotte................................................................................16 Claudia Rocha................................................................................16 Daniel Roxbury.............................................................................. 17 Sunny Sampson............................................................................. 17 Chris Satti...................................................................................... 17 Jessica Sawyer................................................................................ 17 Caroline Skuncik............................................................................18 Sherri Sprague...............................................................................18 Suzanne St. George........................................................................18 Krystle Tadesse..............................................................................18 Jean-Paul Vandeputte....................................................................19 Nicole Verdi...................................................................................19 Christopher Wildenhain................................................................19 William Wynne..............................................................................19

40und A well-deserved spotlight for a job well done.

KPMG is proud to recognize Managing Director Suzanne St. George for being selected as one of Providence Business News’ 40 under forty honorees and we celebrate her successful career and her work to better our community.

40under forty 2022 AWARDS kpmg.com/us

er forty 2022 AWARDS © 2022 KPMG LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. NDP349756-1A

www.pbn.com | 40 UNDER FORTY AWARDS 2022 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 2022

| 3

40under forty 2022 AWARDS

JUSTIN D. BIBEE | 34

LAUREN BRENNAN | 39

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? Although many

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? It changed the way

REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT CASE MANAGER DORCAS INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RHODE ISLAND

hoped that the COVID-19 pandemic would ease tensions and lead to ceasefires, many conflicts continued or even worsened. The pandemic has had an effect that surpasses what a regional war would cause in terms of suffering and destruction. Alongside these challenges, refugees have grown by record numbers. The pandemic’s impacts have had a huge effect on the refugee community, increasing displacement and limiting opportunities for resettlement.

What is the best advice you have ever received? It’s not how much money you make,

it’s how well you manage the money you do make.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself continuing to focus

on refugee issues, and serving in leadership positions in my community.

What was your first job? “To be a good student.”

What moment changed your life more than any other? Graduating from college. I’m a

first-generation college graduate and it’s allowed me experiences that I never thought possible.

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

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? I binge read Paul Theroux.

Fox or MSNBC? “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? A constant pursuit of human rights advocacy. n

THE PROP Justin D. Bibee poses with a notebook, pen and laptop, everything he says he carries with him while working in the field.

VICE PRESIDENT OF WEALTH MANAGEMENT UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.

we communicate with one another. The adoption of new technology and seamless transition from in-person to virtual meetings allowed me to stay in constant contact with my clients throughout the pandemic. It’s during times of uncertainty clients rely on their adviser’s expertise the most and it’s important that we remain accessible.

What is the best advice you have ever received? From my Italian immigrant grand-

mother: Hard work will always prevail over talent, and as a woman, you’re just going to have to work harder to get the things that you want in life, so show up early, work harder than everyone else around you and always dress for success. If you do that, good things will happen.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I will still be with UBS serving my clients and working toward our recognition counsel’s president level.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Wherever the path takes you, just keep showing up physically, mentally and emotionally every day. There is only one direction to go in life, forward.

Fox or MSNBC? CNBC. What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? The simple answer: I wanted to help people in an impactful way.

Through my work, I take the mystery out of what’s possible and help clients find a path to pursue their goals. Seeing clients live out their dreams and knowing I helped get them there is extremely rewarding. n

THE PROP Lauren Brennan poses with a certified

financial planner certificate, a financial calculator she regularly uses and a replica of the “Wall Street Bull.”

Congratulations TO OUR VERY OWN, HOLLY FERRARA, AND TO ALL THE 40 UNDER FORTY RISING STARS! As a locally-based financial institution, we’re extremely proud of the young talent pool in our area. Like Holly, you’ve all done a tremendous job moving your organizations forward

Doing what’s right...for you!

and making our community a better place to work and live.

We hope you all continue to shine!

greenwoodcu.org 401-739-4600

4 | JULY 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n 40 UNDER FORTY AWARDS 2022 | www.pbn.com

2669 Post Road, Warwick

40under forty 2022 AWARDS

CHRIS BURCH | 39 VICE PRESIDENT JADE MANUFACTURING CO.

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? How has it not?

The most significant challenge that COVID-19 has presented us with is certainly workforce development and stability ... it has changed the way we look to and prepare for the future of the manufacturing Industry.

What is the best advice you have ever received? “Don’t ever smoke cigarettes, and go to college.” – Richard Burch, my grandfather

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Working in a reinvigorated, evolutionary and thriving manufacturing environment in Rhode Island.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? You cannot control the actions of others, only your own reaction to them.

What moment changed your life more than any other? The birth of my oldest

daughter was truly an eye-opening moment for me.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? My eagerness to learn combined with the determination (stubbornness) to never give up.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I was given an

opportunity to work alongside my girlfriend’s father (now my father-in-law) at Jade on a temporary basis 14 years ago and have not looked back since.

Although I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be working in this industry, the fastpaced and ever-changing environment of a small machine shop immediately caught my interest and I knew instantly I had found the right career path for me. n

THE PROP Chris Burch holds sports

equipment – a baseball bat, field hockey stick and lacrosse stick – that each of his three children uses.

Even when you're over 40

PLAY EVERY DAY Providence Children's Museum celebrates PBN's 40 Under Forty Winners!

Play is more than what a child does. Play is more than what a child is. Play is what a child becomes.

And we are here to champion it.

www.providencechildrensmuseum.org

Johnson & Wales University congratulates the College of Business’ Patricia Conn Ryan, DBA, on being selected as a member of this year’s 40 Under Forty cohort.

Thank you for your passion and enthusiasm for, and commitment to, education in and out of the classroom.

jwu.edu www.pbn.com | 40 UNDER FORTY AWARDS 2022 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 2022

| 5

40under forty 2022 AWARDS

TIMOTHY CHAVES | 35

FIRST SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF COMMERCIAL BANKING BRISTOL COUNTY SAVINGS BANK

How has COVID-19 changed your industry?

COVID-19 has accelerated the pace of change in how we conduct business externally – in the way we engage with clients and deliver our products and services, as well as internally – with remote work and being the impetus for reinventing/streamlining processes and procedures so that we can conduct business away from the office.

Without COVID-19, I don’t see these changes occurring nearly as quickly.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Long-term success is a

function of doing the right things each day.

What was your first job? I was a referee at my local youth soccer association.

What advice would you give your 22- year-old self? Don’t worry about

10 years from now, and be the best version of yourself today.

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

like to think that I take a balanced approach to everything I do and I’m also a firm believer that it’s all about people and teamwork, so I put a lot of effort into building and maintaining strong relationships with colleagues.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? Banking ultimately provided me with a platform to build

positive relationships with the various stakeholders in my local community, while giving me a career that is constantly changing, is mentally stimulating and provides me with the right work-life balance. n

THE PROP Timothy Chaves is pictured with his 20-month-old daughter, Olivia.

PATRICIA CONN RYAN | 39 PROFESSOR JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY

What is the best advice you have ever received? To live within your means and save for a rainy day.

Where do you see yourself in five years? At Johnson & Wales University continuing to work with students both in and outside of the classroom. I also hope to continue to give back to the community through volunteer work.

What was your first job? I worked for Robert’s Automotive doing any job assigned to me. Along with learning the value of a dollar, I also learned how to change my oil and tires so I didn’t have to rely on others.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Always keep things in

perspective and don’t sweat the small stuff.

What moment changed your life more than any other? When my daughter,

Victoria, was born.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I was a teaching assistant

at Northeastern University and my assigned professor had suggested I continue to get my [doctorate] and go into teaching. At the time I was only interested in starting my career in accounting. While working, I often found myself falling into a teaching or mentoring role with others I worked with. Eventually I decided I wanted to pursue teaching and was hired as an accounting professor for JWU. I love being in the classroom and working with students, so I am happy I made the transition into teaching. n

THE PROP Patricia Conn Ryan’s

biggest supporters have been her husband, Kevin, and two children, Victoria and Robert.

ASHLEIGH CROWE | 36 LOGISTICS MANAGER J.F. MORAN CO.

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? COVID-19 threw

Congratulations

a bunch of key disrupters into our industry, such as supply chain delays, steamship line and airlines space issues, capacity pulled due to shortages in personnel, severe rate increases with fuel and surcharges, raw material and manufacturing shortages, the list goes on and on. The name of the game became information and communication. More than ever, our role shifted to making sure our clients were kept updated on the constant changes in regulations, changes in tariffs and changes in the industry.

What is the best advice you have ever received? “Give me someone fast because I can’t teach speed. But I can teach them how to play the sport.”

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Continue to work for a growing and learning organization that is committed to excellence, continue to be a lifelong learner, and serving my community locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Surround yourself with

Nicole Martucci, Senior Counsel, is a vital part of the D&S litigation team, focusing on business law, real estate and land use, and general commercial litigation. Admitted to practice in RI and MA, she is known for being a zealous litigator and a tireless advocate for her clients, in and out of the courtroom.

Experience. Value. Results.

www.duffysweeney.com

people who are smarter, wiser and willing to mentor and sponsor you.

Fox or MSNBC? Both. The truth is somewhere in the middle.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? During the recession in 2008, I

found myself laid off from my first job out of college. It was through a leap of faith of accepting an account manager position at a small freight forwarder that I fell in love with supply chain logistics. My grandfather used to say, “It takes a certain person to run toward a fire.” Now while I’m not a firefighter, I’m a problem solver. I love what I do. Each day I wake up and I choose to run toward the fire. n

THE PROP Ashleigh Crowe holds a small globe. She

appreciates being recognized for her commitment and dedication to “change a small corner of the world.”

6 | JULY 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n 40 UNDER FORTY AWARDS 2022 | www.pbn.com

40under forty 2022 AWARDS

JUSTIN DEVEAU | 39

TOLULOPE FAYANJUOLA | 38 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE ENGINEERING SPECIALIST GENERAL DYNAMICS ELECTRIC BOAT

PROJECT EXECUTIVE SHAWMUT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

How has COVID-19 changed your industry?

There have been varying changes across different industries but some have lingered for all, from virtual meetings to impacts on the supply chain. However, I remain optimistic of the future and am proud of the way we at Shawmut have mitigated throughout to provide our clients the same unparalleled client experience.

What is the best advice you have ever received? I’ve always enjoyed how Teddy

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? COVID-19 has

changed my industry by providing opportunities for employers and employees to find creative ways to address current and evolving work and workforce needs in this new landscape. From maintaining the necessary security protocols with work from home and virtual meetings, to finding new schedules and procedures for work on the submarine in close quarters while keeping employees and sailors safe, the industry has had to pivot from traditional solutions and mindsets to more creative and out-of-the-box thinking.

Roosevelt summed up this idea: “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself finding harmony between having a family and continuing to help others through my career and community involvement.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

What moment changed your life more than any other? The [death] of my father.

Continuing to lead Shawmut through tremendous growth and success – making lasting impacts on our partners and the communities we call home.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Work hard, be kind, and good

things will happen.

What moment changed your life more than any other? Holding my oldest son for the first time and becoming a dad.

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

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

school and college, I worked completing residential remodels and additions. While studying business in college, I realized I enjoyed the combination and grasped construction management as the right balance and combination of my two passions. n

THE PROP Justin Deveau sports a construction helmet he regularly wears for Shawmut Design and Construction.

My family is very close and the loss, while devastating, brought us closer together, made us better support systems for each other and really put into perspective the huge presence my father had in our lives. Miss you, Poppy!

Fox or MSNBC? Neither.

I’ll take NPR over both.

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

solving problems, being challenged and helping others. After my first job out of college, I thought this industry would allow me to hit all three goals. And more importantly, my mom had spoken highly of my current employer for years. n

THE PROP Tolulope Fayanjuola holds a decorative

dish that sits in the family dining room with the phrase, “Our family is a circle of strength & love,” and a 4-foot-long Virginia Class submarine model.

Improving the lives of others Mike Menard always credits other people for his success. Now let’s give credit where it is due, with Mike himself.

His own hard work and support for others have driven his success.

Not to mention his passion for improving the lives of the most vulnerable people in our state. During the pandemic he led efforts to deliver groceries and meals. Now he leads our drive to ensure all Rhode Islanders who are Medicare eligible have access to the care and services they need.

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

Achieving the best for our members.

It’s what we live for.

Mike Menard Vice President, Medicare Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

EC-750555 6/22

www.pbn.com | 40 UNDER FORTY AWARDS 2022 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 2022

| 7

40under forty 2022 AWARDS

HOLLY FERRARA | 37 SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF LENDING OFFICER GREENWOOD CREDIT UNION

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? Many parts of the

process move much slower now than before, but I find our borrowers are now more patient with the process. It has also jump-started our process in becoming paperless, and we have become very creative in our meetings and closings, as so many things are now done remote.

What is the best advice you have ever received? As a child, my mom always encouraged me to pursue a career and education, to be able to support myself. Today, I can’t imagine my life without my career and am proud of where I am today.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself in the same role but better established, while continuing to develop myself professionally and balancing work-home life.

What moment changed your life more than any other? Becoming a parent

makes you look at life from an entirely new perspective and your priorities become very different. You work harder not only for yourself, but to give your children the most fulfilling life possible.

Congratulations Zach Nieder

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I worked part time in

college at a bank in the call center, the collections department and then as a commercial credit analyst. These jobs are what made me realize my love for math/finance and real estate. Soon after, I changed my major from teaching to finance and pursued a career in banking/ lending. n

Thank you for your continued leadership and dedication to our community.

rifoundation.org

THE PROP Holly Ferrara poses with her children, Siene, 4, and Gian, 6. Ferrara says having children was life-changing for her.

Lifespan proudly congratulates

Theresa Jenner and

Bryan McCarthy on their induction in the

2022 PBN Class of 40 Under Forty

BETH FLANAGAN | 36

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALS ASSOCIATION, RHODE ISLAND CHAPTER

What is the best advice you have ever received? To know my

worth and to not settle for any opportunity unless I was professionally and personally excited for it.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to still be in the fight against ALS with a proven record of success in helping the ALS Association achieve its goal of making ALS a livable disease by 2030.

What was your first job? Serving as counter help at Iggy’s Doughboys and Chowder in Warwick.

What advice would you give your 22-yearold self? I would tell her that it is OK not to know exactly where you will end up. I would tell her each bump along her professional journey is a learning experience.

What moment changed your life more than any other? Becoming a parent. I have

two daughters and I have made it my goal to be a role model for them. It is what got me through my master’s program, when I was a full-time working mom and student with two very young children.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? My desire to create meaningful

Bryan McCarthy, PharmD

system director of inpatient pharmacy

Theresa Jenner, MSW, LICSW, CCM vice president, care coordination

and impactful relationships. I am passionate about sharing the story of our patients and their families and inspiring people to join the fight against ALS.

Fox or MSNBC? MSNBC. What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I began my career in the

nonprofit sector through the Americorps Vista program shortly after receiving my undergraduate degree. I fell in love with my peers who work in the industry and in the communities I’ve served. n

THE PROP Beth Flanagan holds an ALS ice bucket, synonymous with the famous fundraiser to help ALS-related causes.

8 | JULY 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n 40 UNDER FORTY AWARDS 2022 | www.pbn.com

40under forty 2022 AWARDS

GREGORY GARVIN | 38 PRECONSTRUCTION MANAGER AND NEW ENGLAND PURCHASING TEAM LEADER GILBANE BUILDING CO.

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? We in

the construction industry are problem solvers and are used to dealing with the unexpected. So, tackling COVID-19 was “just another Tuesday” for us. I am really proud of everyone in the industry who stepped up to adapt to the challenge and keep our projects on track. With that said, the fallout of COVID-19 has caused serious material shortages and price increases that we constantly have to manage in order to mitigate impacts to our projects and our clients.

What is the best advice you have ever received? My dad would always say,

“You have to put things in perspective.” This advice has helped me to both quell anxieties and focus on the things that truly matter in life, and to search for common ground with people whose point of view is different than mine.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? I love learning, value context and seek

out harmony. I think this makes me a strategic thinker and planner. People can count on me to think “all the way around” an issue, consider all outcomes and seek the counsel of folks with different perspectives.

Fox or MSNBC? Neither! We’d all be better off if we

tuned out the divisive “news” and focused on the needs of our place.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? Having grown up on the family farm, I think I developed

a love for the tangible. Whether it was mowing a field, splitting wood, fixing things, etc., there was enormous pleasure to seeing the physical reality of your day’s work. That, and I loved playing with Legos as a kid!

Entering the construction industry just felt like a natural fit. n

THE PROP Gregory Garvin holds a sampling of books that have been influential to him. “I love to read, especially now with my kids, and I identify with both the country mouse and the city mouse,” Garvin says.

AMY GRZYBOWSKI | 39 ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF WORKFORCE R.I. OFFICE OF THE POSTSECONDARY COMMISSIONER

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? Many of our higher education and training providers create online or hybrid content, which may be more conducive for some adult learners. The “great resignation” provides opportunities for in-roads to great-paying jobs. Employers are reevaluating their job descriptions and are motivated to fill vacancies. This is allowing job seekers to find their career pathway. Employers are more willing to take on the cost of workforce training because it directly benefits their abilities to attract and retain talent.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to have completed my doctorate and our oldest daughter will graduate high school. I hope to continue to show my children that they can set goals, break barriers and achieve their dreams. I hope that my husband and I’s passion for lifelong learning will instill an understanding that education will lead them to whatever pathway they may choose.

What moment changed your life more than any other?

Getting married and having my husband deploy a few days later.

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

about building something from the ground up. The intersection of government, higher education and industry in the Westerly Education Center’s inception provided an amazing opportunity for our state. n

THE PROP Amy Grzybowski with her

three children, Jaeden, 13; Cailin, 11; and Michael, 9. “They are my ‘why’ and living life through them is a blessing,” she says.

40⁄40 forty under forty

®

Congratulations to this year’s 40 Under Forty winners!

Caroline Skuncik

We are especially proud to recognize BayCoast Bank’s Claudia Rocha not only for her successful career but also for her active involvement in our community.

2022 Award Winner

Claudia Rocha Vice President, Commercial Lending

Congratulations to Caroline Skuncik, Executive Director of the I-195 Redevelopment District and to all of the 2022 40 Under Forty Honorees.

CRocha@BayCoastBank.com 774-991-3850 baycoast.bank/commerciallending 228 Washington Street, Suite B220, Attleboro, MA 02703

Member FDIC Member DIF

NMLS# 403238

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40under forty 2022 AWARDS

THERESA JENNER | 38 VICE PRESIDENT OF CARE COORDINATION LIFESPAN CORP.

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? From daily

operations to running a field hospital, we’ve all had to think creatively and pivot on a moment’s notice. For my teams, coordinating discharges for patients after a hospital stay became even more challenging. It has really spurred innovation though and allowed us to be creative in developing programs and supporting the communities we serve.

What was your first job? Emergency

services clinician at the New Bedford Crisis Center. It was a really tough job, but I learned so much.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Take care of those

Ørsted congratulates our own Nicole Verdi and all the honorees on being named to the Providence Business News 40 Under Forty!

Nicole is helping to build a new, American offshore wind industry starting right here in New England.

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us.orsted.com

personal relationships! Your friends are so important, especially as you move through your career.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Curiosity. I am always

working to understand what my team needs, how can we improve.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Clam cakes and chowder!

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I always knew I wanted to

work in health care. I really enjoy working as part of an interdisciplinary team and coming together to work with people to achieve positive outcomes.

I volunteered in a hospital one summer and knew that health care was my passion. n

THE PROP Theresa Jenner holds a bracelet her children made for her this past Mother’s Day.

LAUREN MALLOY | 30 PEOPLE COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY PLC

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? The pandemic

made my internal communications team more resilient, flexible and appreciative of one another. It showed my team that we are truly unstoppable and challenged us to be more innovative than ever before.

What is the best advice you have ever received? “Never stop learning. Learn all you can. And when you think you’re done learning, go back and learn some more.” – Charlotte D. Cordeiro

Where do you see yourself in five years? Still writing, riding bikes, petting every dog I see, taking chances, fighting on the front lines for justice and teaching my daughter how to drive – look out, world!

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

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Iggy’s chowdah and stuffies or Mr. Lemon’s

tutti-frutti lemonade.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I love writing and helping people tell their stories – getting to do that every day for our employees around the world is so fulfilling! Outside of work, finding my siblings after 23 years and researching my own [late] mom’s cold case inspired me to create Unsolved R.I. and use my talents to help other victims and their families. There is no greater gift than helping to bring peace and deliver justice. n

THE PROP Lauren Malloy’s shirt is from the first IGT Downtown 5K. She also holds pictures with her late mom, late dad, and her husband and daughter, and enjoys riding her bike that she named “Lucy.”

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PIETER MARTENS | 39

NICOLE MARTUCCI | 34

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? Completely. In March 2020, we had to stop TimeZone construction because nobody knew what would happen. R1 Indoor Karting [Inc.] lost over 60% of its revenue that year. Luckily, we were able to open TimeZone in 2021, and since then it has been strong. I think the next two decades will be fascinating for my industry. Of course, there will be some macroeconomic effects that we cannot control, but people will always be seeking entertainment.

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? The legal field

CO-FOUNDER AND CEO TIMEZONE

What is the best advice you have ever received? “In the end, everything will be all right.”

Where do you see yourself in five years?

We are opening our second TimeZone location in New York later this year. By 2027, there should be at least 30 locations. We will also move into a building in Cranston this summer that will be the TimeZone headquarters where we can work on the creation of new games and room concepts. I look forward to that because it will allow us to start projects with all kinds of creative people.

What was your first job? Software sales in the entertainment industry. I traveled all over the world.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Start your own company!

What moment changed your life more than any other? Being fired from my first job.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? From being a child, I always

liked to entertain. But my stage skills are lacking, so I started to be the one behind the scenes. n

THE PROP In addition to the banana suit being a

Halloween costume he wore at a company party, Pieter Martens said that in Dutch, “Gaan met die banaan!” literally translates to “Go with that banana!” He says it’s a rhyme that’s used to encourage more action.

SENIOR COUNSEL DUFFY & SWEENEY LTD.

has embraced technology in a way we haven’t seen before, allowing for depositions, court hearings and even trials to be conducted remotely at a time when in-person was not possible. While I think remote access is here to stay for certain aspects of the legal profession, there is nothing like being inside of the courtroom and interacting with witnesses, counsel and the court in person.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Never get too busy making a living that you forget to live.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I love what I do, and I hope in five years I’m still learning, growing and developing my craft to be able to provide the most zealous advocacy for my clients.

What moment changed your life more than any other? The day my

daughter was born. I found out I was going to be a mom my first semester of law school and debated whether I could keep going with that dream. The moment she was born, I knew that my success would be ours to share and giving up was not an option.

Fox or MSNBC? Both. As someone who

debates for a living, research and critical thinking about varying viewpoints is essential for reaching a well-informed conclusion.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? My dad. From a

very young age, he always told me I would make a good lawyer. Probably because I was always arguing with him as a kid. As I got older, “lawyer” was always my plan. For better or worse, there was no plan B, so I’m lucky it all worked out. n

THE PROP Nicole Martucci poses with her daughter, Skyler, 12.

Congratulations Partridge Snow & Hahn would like to congratulate the many clients and friends chosen as PBN’s 2022 40 Under Forty Award Winners. We are especially proud of our very own Christopher Wildenhain for being chosen for this award.

Chris serves as Counsel in the firm’s Litigation Group, representing publicly traded companies and private businesses in complex commercial, banking, and employment disputes. Chris’ dedication and enthusiasm in serving clients and helping the community makes a difference every day. Well done Chris!

Find the experience you’re looking for at psh.com.

PROVIDENCE | BOSTON | SOUTHCOAST | psh.com

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KRISTIN McCABE | 39

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION CARE NEW ENGLAND HEALTH SYSTEM

JESSICA SAWYER Partner, Providence Office

How has COVID-19 changed your industry?

COVID-19 has forever changed the health care industry.

Telehealth and remote patient monitoring are just two things that have really taken off since [the pandemic] started, with no end in sight. Just as important, we’ve had to adapt the way that we care for patients in person. Health care systems were creative with the way they structured COVID-19 testing and vaccine appointments, making them both widely available and convenient to book.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Someone once told me to

look at myself 20 years in the future and then look back at the day to determine what is most important. That advice has really helped me keep a great home-work life balance over the years.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Constantly put yourself out

there to help other people. Some of the greatest moments of my career have been helping others achieve success.

500 Exchange St, Suite 9-100

Citrin Cooperman proudly celebrates Jessica Sawyer,

Providence, RI 02903 401.421.4800 citrincooperman.com

"Citrin Cooperman" is the brand under which Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP, a licensed independent CPA firm, and Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC serve clients’ business needs. The two firms operate as separate legal entities in an alternative practice structure. Citrin Cooperman is an independent member of Moore North America, which is itself a regional member of Moore Global Network Limited (MGNL).

a PBN "4 40 Under Forty" award recipient!

What moment changed your life more than any other? Becoming a mother. There is nothing better than being a mother of three.

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

management and policy at the University of New Hampshire and really enjoyed learning about the health care industry. When I graduated, my first job was at a medical software company, and I quickly realized that you don’t have to be a direct care provider to make an impact on a patient’s life. From that point forward, I knew health care was for me. n

THE PROP Along with a toy bunny, Kristin McCabe holds a book she wrote and published called “Peek-a-Bunny: An Easter Tradition.” She says it’s like “The Elf on the Shelf,” but her book comes with a boy or girl bunny that children can play with.

BRYAN McCARTHY | 36

ALLENDRE McGOVERN-SIEMBAB | 37

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? COVID-19 strengthened the connection between our community, health care delivery systems and pharmacists more than ever.

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? It pushed the

SYSTEM DIRECTOR OF INPATIENT PHARMACY LIFESPAN CORP.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Work hard and be nice to people!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Innovating, influencing and inspiring in front of a steep learning curve.

What was your first job? I was an

announcer for local Little League Baseball games.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? You are only 22 once, enjoy it.

What moment changed your life more than any other? Becoming a

father.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Playing the long-

term game.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? A fried scallop roll from Blount’s Clam

Shack.

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

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? My family is full of pharmacists.

What is your favorite song? “Addicted to Love”

by Robert Palmer. n

THE PROP Bryan McCarthy holds a portrait of him and his late father, Bryan McCarthy Sr., when the two had a fishing trip at Saratoga Lake in New York in 2001.

LEAD DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT SAFETY AND DEVELOPMENT – VIRTUAL CARE CVS HEALTH CORP.

telemedicine revolution forward and changed the way we can deliver health care. It is the reason why I transitioned to my current role in product strategy and product development for virtual care.

We have the opportunity to optimize the use of virtual care to increase health care access and make it more affordable.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I will forever be in the

health care industry. I hope to be in a strategic leadership role identifying new opportunities to improve the member experience and delivery of health care.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “The Offer,” based on

the making of “The Godfather.”

Fox or MSNBC? MSNBC. What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry?

One of my customers at my family’s restaurant guided me to the health care industry. He was an internal audit manager for Lifespan [Corp.] and there was an opening on the team. I started my career performing financial, operational and compliance internal audits for Lifespan, including their affiliated hospitals and practices. This role showed me early in my career that there were many opportunities to improve health care. n

THE PROP Allendre McGovern-Siembab poses with her three children, Brody, 7; Landon, 4; and Eli, 2.

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KIA McNEILL | 36

HEAD WOMEN’S SOCCER COACH BROWN UNIVERSITY

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? It is great to be

back on the field coaching. Not having a competitive season in 2020 along with all the other struggles the pandemic brought to the table was tough. I think the pandemic made both players and coaches start to really evaluate what was important to them in life – some people delved deeper into their profession or sport, and others took a step away from it

What is the best advice you have ever received? You were given one mouth but two eyes and two ears for a reason.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Still coaching at Brown!

But hopefully with some kids of my own running around on the field.

What was your first job? Playing professional soccer in Sweden for a club called Kristianstad DFF. The day I graduated college, I was on a plane to Sweden to play pro there.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Try to start saving money

now. Even if it’s only $10 a month, just start!

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Rhode Island-style cala-

mari, and to be honest all seafood here.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “Ozark” was my last binge watch – during the pandemic.

Gilbane congratulates Greg Garvin on being named one of this year’s 40 Under Forty!

Fox or MSNBC? MSNBC. What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? It was a way to give back to a game that has given so much to me. n

THE PROP Kia McNeill holds a prize that

Brown University’s women’s soccer program has won 14 times in its history, the Ivy League championship trophy, as well as a soccer ball.

MICHAEL MENARD | 36 VICE PRESIDENT OF MEDICARE BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD OF RHODE ISLAND

How has COVID-19 changed your industry?

COVID-19 has accelerated the recognition that we must meet members where they are, and that health is more than health care. Whether through enabling accessible and affordable technology, such as telehealth, or acknowledging that needs may transcend the traditional scope of health care, we have a responsibility to deliver comprehensive health and well-being to our members.

CONGRATULATIONS to our colleague

Leslie D. Parker, Shareholder

What is the best advice you have ever received? “Win the morning, win the day.”

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Continuing to find ways to serve and support the Medicare population.

What was your first job? An indoor children’s

amusement ride operator at Fantasyland in Seekonk.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Tomorrow is never promised – find more ways to

live in the moment, take risks, get uncomfortable and most importantly, cherish your relationships.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Any dessert from Wright’s Dairy Farm.

for being recognized with

Providence Business News’ 40 UNDER FORTY AWARD

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “Jack Ryan” on Amazon Prime.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? Upon starting as an intern at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of

Rhode Island, I was immediately hooked on Medicare due to such a clear connection of supporting the most vulnerable population in every way imaginable with running a strong underlying business. n

THE PROP Michael Menard wears a baseball glove. Menard, who entered college on a baseball scholarship, said the game taught him so much and “how to come back stronger after I could no longer play competitively following an injury.”

One Citizens Plaza, 8th Floor, Providence RI 401.274.7200 | apslaw.com Providence | Newport | Boston | Manchester, NH

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LENORE MONTANARO | 32 LEGAL COUNSEL R.I. DIVISION OF TAXATION

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? COVID-19 has

RISE Congratulates Jean-Paul Vandeputte, PE RISE, Director of Engineering

Thank you for your dedication to helping meet the energy challenges of our day!

accelerated the technological capabilities of many industries, including the legal and governmental industries, enabling people to work from alternate work sites. This has had the added benefit of extending virtual accommodations to clients or others from their varied locations.

What is the best advice you have ever received? My grandfather used to always say, “Do the right thing.”

What was your first job? I was a soccer referee at the Ocean State Soccer School in North Kingstown.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? I would advise my 22-year-old self that you do not need to impress anyone but yourself; you are your own hero.

What moment changed your life more than any other? The death of my 19-year-old brother

JP has applied his passion for excellence to help develop an extraordinary group of talented engineers at RISE and in the efficiency industry in the Northeast. He brings exceptional professionalism, integrity, and a strong work ethic to his work. He has earned a remarkable level of respect from his fellow employee-owners and from the clients that he serves. We are all made better by his efforts.

RISEengineering.com

John from cancer in 2011 changed my life forever.

John loved dogs. I became an attorney and a passionate advocate for animals because of John’s unwavering confidence in me to help animals.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? The ability to alchemize my

prior sufferings into empathy for others – people and animals.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Anything from Plant City.

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

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

I’m unsure – it’s pretty taxing. n

THE PROP Lenore Montanaro poses with her two rescue beagles, Leo and Reggie, as well as a scale of justice and a photo of her dog Lucy.

Putting Rhode Islanders Back to Work

JULIE MOURA | 39

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES HASBRO INC.

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? I have always

felt that [human resources] is one of the most critical functions in a corporation, but I think that the COVID-19 pandemic not only expanded our function’s influence, but also has led us to a renewed focus on employees, inclusive of their health and safety. We are wearing more hats than ever before, with everyone turning to us for guidance on how to move forward in this new digital, flexible, hybrid world.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Your life Assistant Commissioner of Workforce Amy Grzybowski of the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner has been at the helm of the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner’s Westerly Education Center since inception, and she has built a successful workforce development program that has helped thousands of Rhode Islanders gain the education and training needed for work.

is your responsibility. That includes your energy, your happiness, your fulfillment, your career and your choices.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself continuing to give my all in my professional life and my personal life. ... Making time for my husband and children as a first priority, while continuing to learn and progress my career in the field of people and culture.

What moment changed your life more than any other? The birth of my two daughters, Addison in 2013 and Emily in 2016.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Attitude and 2022 Award Winner

Congratulations to Amy and all the 40 Under Forty honorees Westerly Education Center www.westerlyedcenter.org

Woonsocket Education Center www.woonsocketedcenter.org

Rhode Island Nursing Education Center www.rinec.org

Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner www.riopc.edu

authenticity. I approach my work with energy and determination to contribute, while always staying true to myself.

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

my career in finance but quickly realized my passion was on the impact that the HR function could have on an organization. Curiosity sparked when friends talked to me about the organizations they worked for. I was interested in their business models, their organizational structures and how it all fit together. n

THE PROP Julie Moura holds a photo of her family and a sign with the image of Rich Uncle Pennybags, the mascot for Hasbro Inc.’s Monopoly game with the phrase “Everyday I’m Hustlin’.“

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40under forty 2022 AWARDS

PATRICK MULLEN | 38

ZACHARY NIEDER | 36

How has COVID-19 changed your industry?

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? It has accelerated

SENIOR RISK EXPERT, CYBERSECURITY WALMART INC.

COVID-19 has put an emphasis on the meaning of work-life balance, personal development and introspection, and what it means for an industry to adapt and evolve quickly. Digital transformation transitioned from a corporate buzz word to technology-driven initiatives.

In an area of cybersecurity, there is an increased emphasis on heightened security practices while supporting business continuity and minimal impact to operations.

SENIOR STRATEGIC INITIATIVE OFFICER RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION broader trends for philanthropic organizations to be nimbler and more responsive while also increasing the need to implement best practices that reduce the burden on grantees.

What is the best advice you have ever received? My second grade teacher always told our

class not to compare your “insides” to other peoples’ “outsides.” I think this still holds up.

What was your first job? Trying, and often

What is the best advice you have ever received? Integrity and humility are integral in

failing, to avoid splashing hot oil on myself working at a fried-food stand at an agricultural fair.

What was your first job? I started

What moment changed your life more than any other? Being introduced

being a good leader.

working during the summer as a bicycle mechanic and salesperson at a “mom and pop” store in Plymouth, Mass.

by a friend to the person who would become my wife.

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

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? I strive to be

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Del’s lemonade (half cherry,

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? This is my first job

a careful listener and close observer who does not offer facile answers to complex problems but instead focuses on consensus building and synthesizing diverse viewpoints.

intelligence, compassion, high learning curve, and the drive to push outside my comfort zone to engineer quality technical solutions while considering the strategic business impact. half watermelon).

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? Marvel Studios’ “Loki.”

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? Continuous education and interest in ethical hacking and

digital forensics coupled with opportunity and growth from my current leadership. n

THE PROP Patrick Mullen poses with a 4-foot-tall monkey stuffed animal. The stuffed toy helped Mullen build a relationship with his then young son.

in philanthropy, but the overarching focus of my career thus far has been working to address the social determinants of health. This has included work centered on the role that hospitals and other health care organizations play within their communities, as well as bringing a public health lens to economic and community planning. n

THE PROP Zachary Nieder holds a toy house and a

toy stethoscope to encapsulate the social determinants of health, such as housing and access to health care.

APPLY. NOMINATE. SPONSOR. ATTEND. ’S UPCOMING AWARD EVENTS

REGISTER NOW AUGUST 4 | PROVIDENCE MARRIOTT | NOON-2PM Healthiest Employers in Rhode Island recognizes employers who have implemented worksite Health & Wellness programs and have shown a commitment to employee health and safety.

Tickets available at PBN.com. #PBNHealthiestEmployers

of Rhode Island AWARDS

REGISTER NOW AUGUST 18 | ALDRICH MANSION | 5:30-8PM PBN’s newest award program will recognize leaders over the age of 50 for their notable success and strong leadership, both in their fields and in the community, as well as a sustained demonstration of leading others. Tickets available at PBN.com. #PBN25LeadersandAchievers

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APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN SEPTEMBER 29 | GRADUATE HOTEL | 5:30-8PM Two great programs, one great event celebrating both growth and innovation in the region. #PBNFGIC SAVE THE DATE NOVEMBER 10 | OMNI PROVIDENCE HOTEL | 5:30-8PM Recognizes manufacturers in multiple categories including Lean Manufacturing, Workforce Development, Product Innovation and Design. Two individuals will receive the Leadership & Strategy and Manufacturing Champion Award. #PBNMFG SAVE THE DATE DECEMBER 1 | CROWNE PLAZA | 9-11AM Learn about best practices for leveraging DEI in the workplace. Companies and leaders will be recognized for their exceptional efforts in promoting DEI. #PBNDiversitySummit

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For advertising and sponsorship opportunities contact 401.680.4800 or Advertising@PBN.com www.pbn.com | 40 UNDER FORTY AWARDS 2022 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 2022

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40under forty 2022 AWARDS

LESLIE PARKER | 36 SHAREHOLDER ADLER POLLOCK & SHEEHAN PC

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? There have been more remote meetings, hearings and depositions. While remote proceedings and Zoom are here to stay, courts and other public bodies are beginning to hold in-person trials, hearings and open meetings. It is always helpful to see colleagues and clients in person, but virtual meetings will always be a part of the practice going forward.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Through both his words and actions, my dad constantly instilled in me the importance of the golden rule, to always treat others as you would want to be treated.

JAMES RAJOTTE | 36

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER R.I. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

How has COVID-19 changed your industry?

COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of improving the living conditions in our communities to avoid devastating rates of illness in our hardest-hit neighborhoods.

Moving forward, my industry must ensure we address the root causes that inhibit our community members from achieving their highest potential and healthy living.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Be positive.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to be a regular at my kids’ sports games and extracurricular activities and continuing to provide valued advice to both business and health care clients.

What moment changed your life more than any other? Running into (literally) a law

student in the grade above me in the hallway of school, and mentioning the run-in to a friend. I’m married to him now!

Fox or MSNBC? The Washington Post (my hometown paper).

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

my specific niche as an attorney after working on litigation and health care matters as a law clerk and a junior attorney. I found mentors both in the judiciary and at my office who helped me learn the specific fields and realize that I enjoyed working with the attorneys and clients in my fields. n

THE PROP Leslie Parker poses with her children, Betsy, 5, and Timmy, 3. “I work every day to set an example for them of hard work and enjoying a job,” she says.

Congratulations Salve Regina Alumni

40 Under Forty honorees: Amy Grzybowski ’05, ’06

Assistant Commissioner of Workforce R.I. Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner

Theresa Jenner ’05

Vice President of Care Coordination Lifespan Corp.

Allendre McGovern-Siembab ’19

Lead Director, Commercial Strategic Programs Virtual Care CVS Health Corp.

Julie Moura ’09

Senior Director of Human Resources Hasbro Inc.

Sherri Sprague ’16, ’18

Associate Chief Nursing Officer Kent County Memorial Hospital

Start your day with a smile and use that saved energy to bring kindness to others.

What was your first job? My first jobs were during high school. I worked as an intern for an organization called Initiatives for Human Development and also worked at Build-A-Bear Workshop.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Paint your view of the future with enough detail that others can see themselves in it.

What moment changed your life more than any other? Losing my mom a few years ago has

forever changed my life. For me, losing her in her young age is a constant reminder to live life to its fullest, not settle for anything less than happiness and always be my most authentic self.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? While attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

during my undergraduate career, I realized at the time that biology research was not my calling. I then took an elective focused on bioterrorism. Soon after, I immersed myself in science and technology studies focused on public health in addition to my biology degree. I then interned at the R.I. Department of Health and the rest is history. n

THE PROP James Rajotte holds a pride flag and a magnet that says “Be Who You Are, Not Who The World Wants You to Be.”

CLAUDIA ROCHA | 39

VICE PRESIDENT AND COMMERCIAL LOAN OFFICER BAYCOAST BANK

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? Ultimately, the

pandemic taught us a lot about being nimble and responsive to meet the needs of the bank’s customers. Commercial lenders pride themselves on the relationships formed with our network and customers, and we had to learn how to deliver that same personal experience in an impersonal manner. Now we have more options to meet customers’ needs.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

A setback or mistake is not a bad experience, just a learning experience.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Certainly, still working as a commercial lender. I strive to be in a position where I am managing a team of lenders or actively mentoring newer lenders.

What was your first job? I worked in the

housewares department at JC Penney in high school and was promoted to being a gift registry consultant – at the age of 18 I was helping couples pick out China patterns and flatware.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Sangria with the Parma pizza sitting outside on the plaza at Venda Ravioli.

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “This is Us.” Fox or MSNBC? Food Network.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I went into college

as a finance major, hoping to help others learn to budget and better manage their personal finances.

Upon graduating from college, my first job was in commercial banking, and I never looked back. n

THE PROP Claudia Rocha holds photo cutouts of her two children, Vivian, 3, and Annalise, 6.

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40under forty 2022 AWARDS

DANIEL ROXBURY | 36

SUNNY SAMPSON | 39

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT CENTREVILLE BANK

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? Virtual classes were

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? Banks

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

hard both on the students and the professors. I do feel bad for the students that missed full years of their on-campus college experience due to COVID-19. Additionally, running my lab during [the pandemic] was difficult.

Reduced capacity within the lab meant that our research productivity took a hit. We still hold the majority of lab meetings virtually.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Perfection is the enemy of productivity. This

rings true in many aspects of my job.

were required to promote the use of their digital channels or leverage interactive teller machines to continue to serve customers. This resulted in an increase in customer adoption of these channels. Additionally, many banks have utilized technology and embraced hybrid and remote working for their teams, which aids in talent recruitment and employee retention.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Set goals and focus on

them. Keep going even when it’s challenging.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to further

Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to be a chief operating officer

expand my research laboratory at URI and be a global leader within my field.

at a community bank or credit union.

What was your first job? Working

at the public library when I was 14 years old sorting books and putting them on the shelves.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? I believe that I have

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Keep perspective, stay

a genuine passion for science and I convey that in my teaching and advising. My students have said the same!

positive and focused. Stay calm and patient. Never let your emotions overpower your intelligence.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I honestly never thought that

I would be a university professor. I had always loved science and math, and decided to pursue research as a career. It wasn’t until I realized that I could run my own lab as an engineering professor that I decided to take this career path. That was one of the best decisions of my life. I feel lucky and honored every time that I step into my lab or into a classroom to teach the next generation of scientists and engineers. n

THE PROP Daniel Roxbury holds a model of a carbon

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? I am a continuous learner. I thrive on learning

and mastering new skills and concepts. I am a strong problem solver who thoroughly enjoys figuring out solutions to problems to make an impact across the entire organization.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I started my banking career as a proof

operator, and then a teller right out of high school. I developed a passion for banking at that time, and strived to learn as much as I can about the industry, which has supported my growth. n

nanotube, which is the subject of much of the research conducted in his lab.

THE PROP Sunny Sampson holds a framed quote about “mindset.” She says the

CHRIS SATTI | 38

JESSICA SAWYER | 39

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? COVID-19 has

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? COVID-19 brought

PRESIDENT SALEM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INC. had a unique impact on each company we’ve invested in, and each new company that we meet. It has been disruptive and challenging for everyone. A few companies, in the e-commerce industry for example, have even benefitted, as consumer adoption of online ordering accelerated. As investors in private companies, we now face the extra challenge of trying to decipher and quantify COVID-19’s impact to understand which effects were one-time in nature and which are permanent.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Living in Providence, investing in and serving on the boards of more great Rhode Island companies, coaching T-ball.

What was your first job? Delivering ice

sculptures throughout Rhode Island for Art in Ice in Warwick.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Relax and enjoy this

period of life – these years go by fast.

What moment changed your life more than any other? Getting accepted to Georgetown University as a senior at Toll Gate High School, and the huge financial sacrifice my parents made so that I could attend.

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Intellectual curiosity. I love

THE PROP Chris Satti is pictured with his 11-monthold son, Jack.

meeting new people, learning about new companies and industries, discovering trends in data, and thinking about team dynamics. The constant variety and continuous learning that comes with investing in private companies keeps my tank full.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? Private-equity investing

requires versatility. I was drawn to the combination of interpersonal skills and quantitative skills that are called upon daily. n

quote has helped her achieve her goals and push through challenging times.

PARTNER CITRIN COOPERMAN & CO. LLP

technology to the forefront of our industry. Many people in public accounting had been advocating for more leveraging of technology in the industry to allow work from home, more availability of consultants and allowing expertise to be shared across time zones prior to COVID-19.

However, COVID-19 allowed us to more readily demonstrate how effectively work can be done remotely.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Don’t let others dictate how you perceive yourself.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Continuing to grow and develop the tax practice at Citrin Cooperman, spending time trying to get my teenage children to talk to me and hopefully traveling more.

What was your first job? My first job was at Dunkin’ Donuts at age 13.

What moment changed your life more than any other? The birth of my children changed my

life more than any other moment. Having another person rely on me for everything only increased my determination to learn, grow and change the world around me.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Coffee milk or clam chowder.

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

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? When I was in high school, I

wanted to do something that incorporated math and allowed me to balance family with a career. I took an accounting course and thought that this is what I wanted to do. n

THE PROP As a stress reliever and to help express her creative

side, Jessica Sawyer goes out and about with her camera to take an array of photos.

www.pbn.com | 40 UNDER FORTY AWARDS 2022 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 2022

| 17

40under forty 2022 AWARDS

CAROLINE SKUNCIK | 39 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I-195 REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

SHERRI SPRAGUE | 38

ASSOCIATE CHIEF NURSING OFFICER KENT COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? COVID-19 has caused us to pause

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? The way people

work has changed, so the demand for commercial office space has decreased. The demand for lab space has been incredibly strong in Greater Boston, in part because the work cannot be done remotely, and we are working hard to create lab space and build a life science cluster in Providence. There has also been increased interest in open space.

and reevaluate how we deliver care safely to the community. Processes for screening and identifying people that are at risk for having COVID-19 early in their medical treatment have been an essential part of keeping other patients and our staff safe. Delivering care in new ways, and gaining the trust of the public that we see in person for preventative and routine care in a safe manner has been one of my highest priorities.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Don’t ask, don’t get!

Where do you see yourself in five years? Enjoying a vibrant, mixed-use

innovation and design district resulting from the completed projects in our pipeline.

What is the best advice you have ever received? People do their best when

What moment changed your life more than any other? Meeting my husband. He

they know what to expect. I think about this phrase often and it has helped to remind me time after time to communicate well.

is an eighth-generation Rhode Islander who later convinced me to move to the state on a trial basis, which has now lasted eight years.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to be in a role that allows me

Fox or MSNBC? NPR.

to design new processes to provide care for underserved populations, improving health equity across our state.

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

as an environmental policy consultant and felt removed from the impacts of my work. Real estate development is fundamentally connected to environmental sustainability and has a direct impact on people’s daily lives. I was drawn to the tangible nature of the field – projects take years to come together and then be constructed, but the feeling of experiencing the final product in person at the end is unmatched. n

THE PROP Caroline Skuncik holds a

map and plans of the Providence land that the old Interstate 195 highway occupied.

What moment changed your life more than any other? Becoming a mother caused me

to completely rearrange my priorities and learn how to maintain a work-life balance.

Fox or MSNBC? MSNBC. What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I knew from a very young age that I wanted to help people. Nurses have the opportunity to make a huge impact for patients, which is certainly the best part of the job. n

THE PROP Sherri Sprague holds a degree she earned from Salve Regina University in Newport.

SUZANNE ST. GEORGE | 37

KRYSTLE TADESSE | 38

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? Gone are the days

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? Remote work is a big one. Most big law

AUDIT MANAGING DIRECTOR KPMG LLP

of working long hours in a small room with your co-workers. We have been challenged to develop new ways to work and have proven that a hybrid work environment can provide the work-life balance our employees are looking for and yet still provide the highest-quality services to our clients.

What is the best advice you have ever received? No task is beneath you, teamwork is essential.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I hope to have continued success in my career while building relationships with my clients and my co-workers. I also hope to be making a difference in the careers of those around me.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

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

attitude and willingness to help the team in any way necessary to get the job done right.

PARTNER LOCKE LORD LLP

firms have never had a particularly strong workfrom-home culture, and to the extent that they did, it probably only included attorneys. That has changed, but right now the battle is finding the ideal balance between remote and in-person work. Courts have changed a lot, which has, on the whole, been very positive. Allowing more remote hearings is economical for clients and also provides greater access to the public.

What is the best advice you have ever received? How you do anything is how you do

everything. Simple, but I love it.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Continuing to enjoy and advance

my career as a partner at Locke Lord LLP and seeing the positive impact on diversity in the Rhode Island judiciary from my work as chair of the R.I. Judicial Nominating Commission.

Fox or MSNBC? Fox.

What advice would you give your 22-yearold self? Never be afraid to speak first – be

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? The people. I have been

What is your greatest attribute that you bring to your job? Analytical and critical thinking.

truly lucky to have met the most amazing people who have supported me, challenged me, pushed me and rooted for my success. It was the people that got me into public accounting and it is the people that will keep me here as long as I can. n

THE PROP Suzanne St. George is with her two children, David, 10, and Claire, 7.

confident! Nothing (good or bad) lasts forever.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I have wanted to be a lawyer since I

was 5 years old. I went to college with every intention to go directly on to law school and I did. n

THE PROP Krystle Tadesse holds a collection of children’s books that belong to her daughters. She is also the current board chair for Reach Out and Read Rhode Island, a researchdriven, early-literacy organization.

18 | JULY 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n 40 UNDER FORTY AWARDS 2022 | www.pbn.com

40under forty 2022 AWARDS

JEAN-PAUL VANDEPUTTE | 36

NICOLE VERDI | 32

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? It’s taught us all to be flexible and adaptable. We’ve applied engineering principles and theories utilized for saving energy to ensuring safety.

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? COVID-19 forced our industry to

DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING RISE ENGINEERING

What is the best advice you have ever received? Live each day like it’s the first day of your life.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I’m a true Rhode Islander. I’ll still be supporting my fellow engineers and staff at RISE.

What was your first job? Camp counselor

for a town recreation department. I’ve always enjoyed working with people and teaching them new things.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Don’t stop learning or

pushing yourself. Life continues to teach and provide new opportunities for us every day.

Capitalize on those lessons and grow.

What moment changed your life more than any other? The birth of my daughter. She

keeps me on my toes!

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Saugy hot dogs and stuffies!

Fox or MSNBC? BBC. What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? Coming from a family of

engineers, I have always known that I would pursue a career in that field. I enjoy solving problems, helping people and building resilience for the future. n

THE PROP Jean-Paul Vandeputte holds a 1970 Ferrari 512 M Lego toy car. “I’m a kid at heart, love to use my hands and passionate about racing,” he says.

SENIOR MANAGER OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND POLICY, NEW ENGLAND ORSTED A/S

implement tools to make remote work efficient and productive. We all became nimbler and more innovative to ensure the work continued throughout the pandemic.

What is the best advice you have ever received? From my dad, “Always have the desire to dream, courage to risk, faith to believe and the will to succeed.”

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Either continuing to combat climate change by working to develop clean energy in a leadership position within a company driving that work, or planning to run for public office in Rhode Island.

What moment changed your life more than any other? Working as [then-Gov. Gina M.] Raimondo’s deputy chief of staff during the pandemic. During that time, we were “building the plane while flying it,” while knowing that people’s lives and livelihoods were at stake. We worked 20-hour days, seven days a week, for months. My world became all COVID-19 response all the time. I now approach every challenge knowing that if I made it through COVID-19, I can tackle any challenge that is thrown my way.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? I joined Orsted to focus full time

on using my skills to combat climate change. Rhode Island is seeing the negative impacts of climate change every day. In this role, I use the skills I learned while working in government to work with government officials and other stakeholders to drive progress to help ensure we can meet this challenge. n

THE PROP Nicole Verdi holds a photo of her family, which she says is “everything” to her, and a model of a wind turbine.

CHRISTOPHER WILDENHAIN | 36

WILLIAM WYNNE | 34

How has COVID-19 changed your industry?

How has COVID-19 changed your industry? Initially, it caused

COUNSEL PARTRIDGE SNOW & HAHN LLP

Even before the pandemic, the legal industry had been emphasizing the ability to work on the go and to increase our accessibility and ability to respond to client needs at all hours. The pandemic accelerated that trend, forcing remote even those events that typically occurred in person (depositions, hearings). Coming out of the pandemic, there is a far greater interest and comfort with proceeding remotely.

What is the best advice you have ever received? “If

COUNSEL NIXON PEABODY LLP

complete shutdowns throughout the justice system, leading to significant backlogs and uncertainty amongst litigants as to the status of their cases.

Now, however, the courts have made a tremendous effort to get back on track, which has evolved into a more efficient system for non-evidentiary proceedings – allowing counsel to attend multiple hearings or conferences in a day without the added costs of travel or delays of in-person attendance.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Get comfortable being uncomfortable because you can only grow outside your comfort zone.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Cheering

on my daughters in whatever they want to do.

Hopefully also as a partner at Nixon Peabody.

you believe you can achieve, you will succeed.” – My elementary school’s motto.

What was your first job? Summer clerk for the Pawtucket Police Department.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Make friends in law school.

They, along with excellent grades, will help you get to where you want to go in spite of the Great Recession of 2008-09.

What was your first job? Lifeguard at

Charlestown Town Beach. The best first job a kid could ask for.

What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? A beer from a Rhode Island brewery.

Specifically, “Tate the Great” from Tilted Barn or “Emu Wars” from Proclamation Ale Co.

What moment changed your life more than any other? The unexpected passing of my younger

What was your last streaming or cable binge watch? “We Own This City.”

brother.

Fox or MSNBC? The New York Times.

Fox or MSNBC? 98.5 The Sports Hub.

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? When I realized that I couldn’t

What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? As a young child (6-7 years old), I recall discussing with

a family friend where I’d like to go to college. After listing some schools, the friend said, “Oh, you must want to be a lawyer then,” and that is where my journey to the law began. n

play high-level rugby for the rest of my life, I needed another outlet where I could compete. While the competition brought me to want to be a litigator, the ability to help people in need is what has kept me going. n

THE PROP Christopher Wildenhain holds a laptop and Nintendo 3DS. The laptop

THE PROP William Wynne holds a rugby ball. He began

is an essential tool for modern law practice and Wildenhain’s passion for legal technology has its origins in his love for video games. “I have better luck on the Mario Golf course, than the real ones,” he says.

playing rugby at Bishop Hendricken High School and it led to him traveling the world and he represented the U.S. in a pair of world rugby tournaments.

www.pbn.com | 40 UNDER FORTY AWARDS 2022 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 2022

| 19

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20 | JULY 2022 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n 40 UNDER FORTY AWARDS 2022 | www.pbn.com