PBN October 1-14, 2021

PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS

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CELEBRATING

35 YEARS: 1986-2021

SPECIAL SECTION

PBN’s 2021 Fastest Growing & Innovative Companies Awards

OCTOBER 1-14, 2021

ONE LAST THING Evan Smith Keep marketing | 34

YOUR SOURCE FOR BUSINESS NEWS IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND | VOL. 36, NO. 11 | $5

RUGGED RECOVERY

Out-of-state telehealth visits hit some snags

BY JACQUELYN VOGHEL | Voghel@PBN.com

AT THE HEIGHT OF THE COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine was hailed as a lifesaver, allowing patients to see their doctor virtually without the risk of catching or spreading the virus in a medical office.

Now, it’s getting a little more complicated.

That’s because some states that were lenient during the pandemic are reining in crossborder telemedicine, prohibiting doctors in one state from teleconferencing with patients who live in another unless the doctor is licensed in both states. In some cases, doctors conducting cross-border telehealth visits risk being sanctioned.

In a small state such as Rhode Island, where residents may have a doctor across a state line or where a

FOCUS: HEALTH CARE

STILL GOING STRONG: Gerald Carlson, left, owner of car-frame repair shop Auto Rust Technicians in Cranston, speaks with Karr Thang, manufacturing manager. Confident about the future of his business, Carlson recently spent $500,000 to purchase a neighboring building to expand operations and is contemplating buying additional equipment.

PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

SEE TELEMEDICINE

PBN SURVEY:

PAGE 20

Rebound underway, but repercussions from pandemic not making it easy

RHODE

FALL 2021

ERE? MADESEITH? K WHATW’S HO MA ERE? ORK TH CAN I W

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

ISLAND BUSINESSES ARE climbing out of the crater caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but many are finding that the lingering fallout is dampening their recovery, according to Providence Business News’ Summer 2021 Business Survey.

Nearly 9 in 10 business owners and executives who responded said they are paying more now for materials and supplies com-

pared with the prior quarter, the highest rate in the 14-year history of PBN’s biannual survey and nearly double the number from a year ago.

At the same time, labor shortages have forced some companies to consider raising wages and improving benefits to stay competitive in a job market in which many workers SEE REBOUND PAGE 12

MADE IN RHODE ISLAND pages 26-36

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CONTENTS

PBN

COVER STORY RUGGED RECOVERY Rebound underway, but repercussions from pandemic not making it easy........................................... 1

400 Westminster St. Providence, RI 02903

FOR STARTERS: Business Bestsellers................................................................ 3 5Q: Dr. James E. Fanale........................................................... 4 Dining Out: Employing a quirky formula............................... 5 Spotlight: Ripples Swim School.............................................. 6 Something New: Skydog Farm................................................ 6 Hot Topic: Does sidewalk seating need limits?...................... 7 Business Women: After a long journey, she still had drive ‘to do more’............. 8 Another Look: It’s a tale of 2 bike paths in Providence......... 9 What’s Happening....................................................................10 Everybody’s Business: ‘We rally to help each other’............ 17

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

BUSINESS WOMEN | 8

IT’S PERSONAL: People in the News................................................................. 28 Mackay’s Moral....................................................................... 29 To Savor: Jessica Norris Granatiero...................................... 30 Guest Column: Susan Gary.....................................................31 Editorials and Opinion............................................................ 32 One Last Thing: Evan Smith.................................................. 34

FOCUS: HEALTH CARE

Out-of-state telehealth visits hit some snags

EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS | 17

Some states are reining in cross-border telemedicine, prohibiting doctors in one state from teleconferencing with patients who live in another unless the doctor is licensed in both states........................................................... 1

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 Marketing and Events Manager: Donna Rofino, 680-4832 | Rofino@PBN.com Marketing, Events & Social Media Coordinator: Tracy Hoyt, 680-4818 | Hoyt@PBN.com Senior Account Managers: Linda Foster, 680-4812 | Foster@PBN.com Jim Hanrahan 680-4816 | Hanrahan@PBN.com Noreen Murray 680-4801 | Murray@PBN.com Advertising Coordinator: Joyce Rylander 680-4810 | Production@PBN.com

EDITORIAL Editor@PBN.com | Fax: 401-274-0670

Search is on to find help to lose those extra pounds

Editor: Michael Mello, 680-4820 | Mello@PBN.com

Medically supervised weight loss and weight management programs saw increased demand during the pandemic as people were unable to access their gym...........................18

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

Lists

Web Editor: Chris Bergenheim 680-4886 | Bergenheim@PBN.com

Rhode Island Health & Dental Insurers................................. 22 Rhode Island Commercial Real Estate Sales – Retail.......... 24 Bristol County, Mass., Commercial Real Estate Sales – Retail................................. 24 Rhode Island Commercial Real Estate Sales – Office.......... 26 Bristol County, Mass., Commercial Real Estate Sales – Office................................. 26 Rhode Island Commercial Real Estate Sales – Industrial...... 27 Bristol County, Mass., Commercial Real Estate Sales – Industrial........................... 27

Copy Editor: Matt Bower, 680-4824 | Bower@PBN.com

FOCUS: HEALTH CARE | 18

Special Projects Editor/Researcher: James Bessette 680-4838 | Bessette@PBN.com (EDUCATION, NONPROFITS)

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

THIS WEEK’S FEATURED COMPANIES Auto Rust Technicians

Nancy Lavin, 680-4822 | Lavin@PBN.com

16

Oceanside Physician Services

Baron & Clemente Real Estate LLC

17

OZ Tacos & Tequila

Best Practice Energy LLC

12

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau

Bowerman Construction Inc.

16

Rhode Island College

Brown Emergency Medicine

20

Rhode Island Foundation

17

Brown Medicine

20

Rhode Island Medical Society

20

Brown Physicians Group Inc.

20

Rhode Island Nutrition Therapy LLC

18

Butler Hospital

20

R.I. Department of Administration

18

R.I. Department of Health

20

Center for Southeast Asians Center for Women & Enterprise

8 17

R.I. Department of Transportation

18 5 33 8

9

Chow Fun Inc.

5

R.I. Office of Diversity, Equity & Opportunity

Elite Title & Closing Services LLC

8

Ripples Swim School

Equity Title & Closing Services Inc.

8

SafeTCaps Inc.

Jewelry District Association

7

Skydog Farm

6

Johnson & Wales University

28

The Steel Yard

8

Lifespan Corp.

18

Tockwotton on the Waterfront

Marcum LLP

9

University of Massachusetts

Newport Vineyards and Winery LLC

16

University of Rhode Island

Nickle Creek Vineyard LLC

30

Xaco Taco

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

www.facebook.com/providencebusinessnews @provbusnews www.linkedin.com/company/providence-business-news

2 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

17 6 16

14 8 12 5

(CITY GOVERNMENT, ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES)

Cassius Shuman 680-4884 | Shuman@PBN.com (HOSPITALITY/TOURISM, GOVERNMENT)

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

PRODUCTION

Production Director: Anne Ewing, 680-4860 | Ewing@PBN.com Art Director: Lisa Lagreca, 680-4868 | Lagreca@PBN.com

CIRCULATION

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ADMINISTRATION

Fax: 401-274-6580 Business Manager: Tammy D’Antuono 680-4840 | Dantuono@PBN.com ©2021 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.

FOR STARTERS

BUSINESS BESTSELLERS At Your Best: How to Get Time, Energy, and Priorities Working in Your Favor

Hyperfocus: How to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction

How to Write Clearly: Write with purpose, reach your reader and make your meaning crystal clear

Carey Nieuwhof

Chris Bailey Bailey offers a practical guide to managing your attention, the most powerful resource one has to get tasks done, become more creative and to live a meaningful life.

Nieuwhof offers ways to replace exhaustion with deep productivity, develop a plan to recapture each day to break free from to-dos and clarify what matters most.

Tom Albrighton

WaterBrook ISBN: 9780735291362; $24

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Objections: The Ultimate Guide for Mastering The Art and Science of Getting Past No

My Money, My Way: Taking Back Control of Your Financial Life

Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business

Kumiko Love

Jeb Blount

Love, who learned multiple life lessons as a single mother working her way through debt, offers a stepby-step plan to reclaim your financial life regardless of your income level.

Learn secrets of strengthening key components of your business and ways to run your company that will give you and your leadership team more focus, growth and enjoyment.

Portfolio ISBN: 9780593418840; $26

BenBella Books ISBN: 9781936661831; $19

Albrighton draws on ideas from psychology, education and linguistics to look inside the reader’s mind and explore the “why” and the “how” of writing technique.

Blount explains what’s preventing you from closing sales and reaching income goals. He provides examples and lessons that teach human-influence frameworks to get past the word “no.”

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FOR STARTERS

5Q: Dr. James E. Fanale CEO and president, Care New England Health System

BY MARC LAROCQUE | Larocque@PBN.com

1

How has Care New England approached the issue of employees who continue to refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19?

We continue to work with our entire staff, talk to each and every employee we can, to emphasize how important it is to keep our patients safe. We can only keep our promise on that by keeping our employees vaccinated.

We’ll talk to people in groups. At the end of the day, we have to hold firm that this is the right thing for our patients, so that’s what we’ve done.

2

Does Care New England share concerns about labor shortages that other health care organizations and associations have expressed recently, including worries that the vaccine mandate will drive hourly workers to other jobs that do not have such requirements?

Sure, we’re worried about the effect it has on staffing. Staffing is tight in a lot of places, including hospitals, including ours. That’s nothing new.

However, we’re in the business of keeping patients safe. I don’t think there’s any other way to do this than by insisting on the vaccine. We’ll work through any situation we need to.

3 PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

What was your reaction to the announcement by President Joe Biden that all workplaces over 100 employees would have to comply with a vaccine mandate and how that will impact the health care system here and across the country?

We believe that if all health care

systems stick with a vaccine mandate, people who work in the health care industry will have to be vaccinated or exit the field. We believe it’s an honor and a privilege to provide health care.

We take it seriously. To the extent all health care systems stand by the vaccine mandate, that’ll help all of us.

4

The pandemic was initially devastating to Care New England.

Where does the organization stand now financially?

I would say that the pandemic has been devastating to just about every health care system. We were able to get support funding through Washington, as well as the state, to help get us through these difficult two years. The pandemic is still having a substantial financial impact on a lot of us. Nursing shortages abound. Filling vacancies with staffing agency nurses is very expensive.

5

Where does the Lifespan Corp.Care New England merger process stand? What are the obstacles/challenges that remain to getting it done and what’s the timeline for that to happen?

We’re in the regulatory process. That continues. We’re submitting all answers to the questions that are asked by the regulators. We’ll continue down that process. I have no other timeline to give you today. n

We’re in the business of keeping patients safe.

s avE T h E d aT E

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For sponsorship & advertising opportunities contact 680.4800 or Advertising@PBN.com 4 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

FOR STARTERS DINING OUT | BRUCE NEWBURY

Employing a quirky formula ALTHOUGH OUR FOCUS is on an exciting new restaurant doing well in Rhode Island, it is still 2021. Therefore, the specter of the pandemic still hovers over our lives. To put it another way and to enter into the spirit of OZ Tacos & Tequila in Lincoln, one can literally read the handwriting on the wall in the OZ dining room: “Toto, we’re not in Mexico anymore!”

OZ Tacos & Tequila is another unique concept from John Elkhay, owner of the Providence restaurant group Chow Fun Inc. As he continues to do well living in Florida, his creativity continues unabashed in Rhode Island. Elkhay envisioned “an ideal or fantastical place” with “an amicable blend of foolishness, innocence and freshness.” He took it a step further and decided what this place needed was “Tacos Without Borders.”

So what are Tacos without Borders?

They are a product of our times.

In “menu speak,” the concept of OZ is “flavors from around the world.”

In 2021, that takes on a new meaning.

In the first couple of decades of the restaurant boom, we got to know the chefs as something more than the person in the white coat who could sometimes be heard yelling from the kitchen. Chefs became nothing short of rock stars, and it added to the image of dining out as entertainment.

Then in 2020 it all came to a grinding halt. The show stopped. It was replaced by a mindset of survival. In a matter of days, it became jarringly apparent that restaurants were a vital

PREPPING FOR DINERS: Natasha Nichols, left, vice president of Chow Fun Inc., helps manager Antonio Galvao set up tables in Chow Fun’s new restaurant OZ Tacos & Tequila in Lincoln.

PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

food supply. During this time, it was laid bare that our dining experience had been created not by an individual but by a wide-ranging collection of hardworking people, many of whom toiled largely in obscurity in what the restaurant industry euphemistically called “the back of the house.” There are many who now spend their days handwringing about what went on back there, and it is the hope that a more equitable atmosphere may come out of our shared ordeal one day soon.

Once again Rhode Island’s unique-

ness and creativity just may save the day. Visionary entrepreneurs such as Elkhay realized an untapped source of creativity exists in the shared experience of those who are getting the job done each day. Everyone has a good idea. Why not ask?

Andy Pyle is the executive chef of OZ. He is also the executive chef of Xaco Taco, Elkhay’s other Mexican concept located in the Jewelry District in Providence. “We [the OZ staff] were talking about all the places we have been and the experiences we

have had and that includes the people that work here,” Pyle said. “Jen, one of our prep cooks, is from Puerto Rico. She wanted to bring a comfort food that meant a lot to her and her culture, so she developed an appetizer of tostones” – made from green plantains that are twice fried in a lightly spiced batter and served with aji salsa with lime, garlic and other ingredients blended in an aioli-type creamy sauce. As Pyle put it, “We’re in OZ, we can do anything we want!”

OZ Tacos & Tequila is a quirky, upbeat restaurant with a unique variety of tacos and small plates paired with whimsical cocktails and an extensive tequila selection.

The idea of a chef cooking for us is a pleasurable one, but these days it can be much more. In reflecting on what it takes for a new restaurant to succeed, it is interesting to compare what might have been a secret of success before the pandemic compared with what it takes today. Up until the spring of 2020, it was “open the doors and start cooking,” especially if the restaurant address was in Providence or Newport. Now the path to success is not as clearly marked nor can it be walked alone. Collaboration is needed. n Bruce Newbury’s radio show and podcast, “Dining Out with Bruce Newbury,” is broadcast on WADK 1540 AM and several radio stations throughout New England. Email him at Bruce@BruceNewbury.com.

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For sponsorship and advertising opportunities, contact 680.4800 or Advertising@PBN.COM www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 5

FOR STARTERS SOMETHING NEW

SPOTLIGHT

RETURN TO ROOTS: Katherine Fotiades and Mark Phillips own and operate Skydog Farm, a farm store and hydroponic nursery in Scituate that grows herbs and leafy greens.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Farming to reduce food waste

LEAP OF FAITH: Hoping to take advantage of what they saw as an untapped market, John Heelan and his wife, Beth, in 2015 opened Ripples Swim School, an aquatic operation providing swimming instruction for young children, with facilities in Bristol and West Warwick.

BY CASSIUS SHUMAN | Shuman@PBN.com

Heelans to offer franchises in 2022

KATHERINE FOTIADES BELIEVES education and community engagement are the keys to running a successful agricultural operation.

Fotiades and partner Mark Phillips in September 2020 opened Skydog Farm, a small, family-run hydroponic farm on a 2-acre parcel in Scituate.

“It’s regenerative agriculture, trying to get people back to connecting to the land and their food,” Fotiades said. “We feel like agriculture is a great way to reach people, to build communities.”

The business includes a farm store and botanical nursery and sells herbs, leafy greens and succulents, some via communitysupported agricultural shares, a system in which local consumers purchase prepaid shares in the farm’s output, which they receive periodically throughout the growing season.

“We are the only small-scale farm operating in Rhode Island I know of growing hydroponic products,” Fotiades said, resulting in “90% less food waste than there is with field farming.”

Skydog also hosts tours, educational and creative programs for children and adults, and spirituality events throughout the year. n

THE HEELAN FAMILY dove into the swim school business while seeking a suitable swimming program for their three young children.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Swim school making waves

BY CASSIUS SHUMAN | Shuman@PBN.com

It took John Heelan and his wife, Beth, two years to develop the business model for a modern, intimate, small-town swim school experience for children in the Rhode Island area. Their operation, Ripples Swim School, has two locations: one in Bristol and one in West Warwick.

“It was a full dive; a full leap of faith; a full gut check,” said John Heelan, who swam competitively at Clark University in Worcester, Mass. “It was a new concept, so our fingers were crossed, but failure wasn’t an option.”

Heelan said the pair came up with the idea after living in Orange County, Calif., for two years while he served as senior vice president of sales for surfing and swimming apparel company Hurley. There, the Heelans discovered swim schools operating out of customized facilities catering to young ­families.

When they moved to Portsmouth in 2012, Heelan said they pursued his wife’s idea to start a similar operation and take advantage of an untapped market.

“Luckily my wife and I pair up really, really well,” he said. “She is the idea person. Ideas just come to her. It’s a gift, it’s her superpower.”

Heelan said his superpower is the compulsion to see things through. The pair works tirelessly on concepts until they are figured out. “The concept of starting a business is pretty daunting.”

John Heelan has a sales and marketing background and an economics degree from Clark University, while Beth Heelan worked in finance and earned a political science degree from the University of Rhode Island.

As part of their process, they courted swim school franchises, most designed for big cities, and researched pools, he said. What they realized was there wasn’t a swim school that met their needs and catered to small-town families.

The local YMCAs were archaic and uninviting, John Heelan said.

So, in 2015 they launched Ripples, an operation that has 60 staffers, about 45 of which are certified swim instructors, offering a swim

OWNERS: John and Beth Heelan

LOCATIONS: 15 Gooding Ave., Bristol, and 255 Legris Ave., West Warwick

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Children’s swim school

6 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

EMPLOYEES: 60

lesson program to children starting at 4 months old.

John Heelan said the couple rolled the dice, and within three months of opening, they gained an audience.

“It exploded right out of the gate,” he said, noting that the school now has 3,000 children attending its classes.

Ripples offers an inviting environment with air and water temperatures at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so parents and their children are comfortable while they learn.

Parents can bring their babies into the pool, acclimating them to the water, so the progression of learning begins at an early age.

John Heelan said the business has been so successful that it will be offering franchises starting in the spring of 2022. Franchising will begin locally in the southern New England region, and expand outward from there, he said.

“I don’t see us doing any more company-owned locations,” he said.

“I see it all being done through franchising. The most sensible thing is to start places close enough locally so that we can help them succeed.” n

YEAR FOUNDED: 2015 ANNUAL REVENUE: WND

FOR STARTERS HOT TOPIC

Does sidewalk seating need limits?

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

OUTDOOR SEATING ON SIDEWALKS, bike lanes and city streets have helped save restaurants and bars during the pandemic, but some say it’s making it harder to walk, bike and drive around these unconventional public dining spaces.

The city of Providence in May 2020 announced new, temporary easing of licensing requirements for outdoor seating, allowing “creative use” of public spaces such as parking lots, sidewalks and – for summer weekends on Federal Hill – a section of Atwells Avenue. Over 130 restaurant and bar owners have applied for outdoor dining since then, according to city spokesperson Andrew Grande.

Among them is James Mark, James Beard-nominated chef and owner of two Providence restaurants. When reopening his downtown eatery, north, last spring, Mark added a patio space in the middle of a bike lane on Fountain Street.

The outdoor space, adorned with string lights and shrubs, often fills up faster than tables and chairs indoors, where Mark has required customers to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

But the setup, despite being approved by government traffic and

licensing groups, is not ideal.

A set of orange traffic cones carve out a makeshift bike detour, but the cones are sometimes moved so cars can park in the substitute bike lane, leaving cyclists without a protected path. Mark also said he received pushback from the cycling community, which includes many of his staff, for not having signage notifying riders of the abrupt lane shift. He’s since installed better signs.

Sharon Steele, president of the Jewelry District Association, described the proliferation of outdoor dining in public rights-of-way as a “nightmare.”

The mix of residential and com-

mercial spaces downtown means the outdoor seating that helps businesses can hurt the people who live next door. The main problem, for Steele, is noise.

Dylan Conley, chairman of the Providence Board of Licenses, said that most of the complaints the group has heard over expanded outdoor dining relate to noise late at night, rather than obstructions for cyclists and pedestrians. But violations and complaints have been relatively rare, he said, compared with the benefits for business owners who no longer have to navigate a complex regulatory process.

“If you’re a small-business owner, how difficult is it to figure out which six review agencies you need to talk to to get three tables outside,” he said.

To Liza Burkin, lead organizer of the Providence Streets Coalition, the success of the expanded outdoor

‘ I feel like if it weren’t working out, I

would have heard from somebody.’

CAROL MCENTEE, South Kingstown state representative

dining demonstrates the benefits of giving public space to people, rather than cars. But the “kinks” created by setups that block access for cyclists and pedestrians need to be worked out, she said.

The extra outdoor seating might not stick around much longer, though.

The city’s special COVID-19 policies expire on Dec. 31, although the licensing board is considering rule changes that would allow certain parts to continue permanently.

A state law passed in the 2021 legislative session allows cities and towns to continue relaxed permitting and zoning for outdoor dining through April 2022.

Rep. Carol McEntee, D-South Kingstown, who sponsored the legislation, originally hoped to extend the relaxed rules for a longer period. Having seen the success of outdoor patios on parking lots and sidewalks across South County, she was reluctant to make business owners who invested the time and money in these setups take them down.

“I feel like if it weren’t working out, I would have heard from somebody,” McEntee said, noting her role as chair of the House Small Business Committee. n

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FOR STARTERS | BUSINESS WOMEN

After a long journey, she still had drive ‘to do more’

BY SUSAN SHALHOUB | Contributing Writer

DIEP

Nguyen is a lawyer and managing member of Elite Title & Closing Services LLC in East Providence, a business she launched in 2004.

But the early years of her life were very different from many others in her industry. Her family was forced to flee Vietnam after the war in the 1970s, piling into a boat and sailing into the South China Sea when Nguyen was 2.

She arrived in the U.S. in 1979, along with her mother, father, grandmother and brother, who was born in a refugee camp in Taiwan during the journey. Another brother was born in the U.S. Nguyen was one of nearly 800,000 “boat people” who fled Vietnam by boat and ship during the humanitarian crisis left behind after the Vietnam War in 1975 through the early 1990s.

Risks included pirates, storms and overcrowded boats, with up to 400,000 people dying at sea, according to the U.N. High Commission for Refugees.

In Nguyen’s case, Rhode Island became her new home thanks to the activism of others.

Sponsored by the Evangelical Covenant Church in the Riverside section of East Providence, her family stayed

with Barrington residents John and Elsie Wright, who tried to ensure they integrated into their new community.

“The Wrights took my parents to English classes,” Nguyen remembered. She and her brothers attended Covenant Cooperative Nursery School, learning English there, with the public TV show “Sesame Street” becoming a language-skills booster.

Today, her brother Trung works for industrial arts campus The Steel Yard in Providence, and her other brother Liem works for Nguyen’s mother’s wholesale company in Worcester, Mass.

She doesn’t remember that time on the boat or early days afterward but has images of her family’s history.

“We had a get-together for the 40th year anniversary of our arrival with the family who sponsored us and got to see their kids, who we used to play with. There were black-and-white photos of us when we first came – photo of us on the boat with our heads shaved, holding up signs with numbers,” she said. “We never had time before to sit down and talk about those things.”

Photos were taken of boat people, with one family member holding a

TITLE TALK: Diep Nguyen, right, managing member of Elite Title & Closing Services LLC in East Providence, meets with Robert Watson, associate ­attorney.

PBN PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

‘It’s been a ride, but we are very, very grateful.’

DIEP NGUYEN, Elite Title & Closing Services LLC managing member 8 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

card with the identification number of their boat, with each family member getting a single-digit number. The numbers were to help refugee camp administrators keep track of families to deliver relief services.

Nguyen learned a strong work ethic from her parents. The couple, who later divorced, owned a convenience store at one point, Nguyen said. Her mother, who she calls “my rock,” worked for an East Providence manufacturer, assembling cigarette lighters.

Early in her work life, Nguyen worked at Honey Dew Donuts because her former in-laws owned a chain of doughnut shops. “It gave me time to take care of my daughter, who I had when I was 21,” she said.

Soon enough, she was looking for more. And she found it. “One of my friends at Fleet Mortgage [then a subsidiary of FleetBoston Financial Corp.] said there was a position open in quality control,” Nguyen said.

“Since then, I have been in the business. I love it because it’s fast-paced.

You meet so many people, and it’s never the same thing twice.”

Nguyen started climbing the ladder, becoming a senior closer with Equity Title & Closing Services Inc. in East Providence in the late 1990s. She became a paralegal and manager at a local office of Chicago Title Insurance Co. from 1999 to 2004.

She used that experience to start Elite Title & Closing, and then bolstered her background with higher education.

While raising her daughter and two sons, she earned her bachelor’s degree in justice studies at Rhode Island College in 2009 – getting up at 6 a.m. to attend a class before work and then attending a class after clocking out for the day. She earned her law degree from the University of Massachusetts School of Law in Dartmouth in 2013.

Nguyen’s decision to start her own practice originated not from displeasure about working for others but from a desire to continue her professional development.

“I enjoyed working for everyone, I just wanted to do more. My past bosses are all experts and I trust their opinions on things,” she said.

She thrived on her own, building the business of handling title issues, title insurance and other closing documents involved in real estate transactions. Elite has a staff of nine people in two locations, an office in East Providence and a newly opened location in Worcester, Mass.

Fluent in Vietnamese, Nguyen can communicate with Vietnamese clients. The trust is so strong that many will ask her to perform legal work outside of real estate or help them read mail they have received – some of it junk mail – that they don’t understand. Many see her as an adviser who speaks their native language.

Nguyen, who was recently appointed to the board of directors of the Center for Southeast Asians, is happy to be of service when possible.

“It’s been a ride, but we are very, very grateful,” she said of her family and its journey. n

PBN.COM | ANOTHER LOOK It’s a tale of 2 bike paths in Providence

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

(Editor’s note: A version of this story was first published on PBN.com on Sept. 20.)

PROVIDENCE – The city has pumped the brakes on a contested two-way bike lane along Mount Pleasant Avenue.

But similar concerns have not stopped the city from moving ahead with a bike lane along South Water Street.

Both bike lanes were put forth as part of Mayor Jorge O. Elorza’s 2020 Great Streets Initiative master plan, intended to make the city more friendly to all forms of traffic: motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, skateboarders and more. Yet only one bike lane appears to be happening, while the other is on an indefinite hold.

Why the different approach?

Timothy Rondeau, a spokesperson for Providence Department of Planning & Development, said in an emailed statement that the city was moving forward with bicycle safety improvements “for every street where improvements make sense.”

But to at least one observer and transportation advocate, another factor is also in play: the support (or lack of) from members of the City Council.

“When you’re talking about building a connected, complete bike network that will serve every neighborhood of the city, it only really works and will be useful to everybody … if it connects to every neighborhood in the city,” said Liza Burkin, lead organizer of the Providence Streets Coalition.

“It’s really unfortunate that specific council member support or opposition is influencing this great plan.”

Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan, whose ward includes the Mount Pleasant Avenue project, has been a vocal opponent to the bike lane, faulting the city for insufficient public outreach.

Ryan did not return inquiries for comment for this story.

Meanwhile, Councilman John Goncalves, who represents the area including the South Water Street cy-

cling lane, has defended the city plan.

The City Council on Sept. 16 approved an agreement with R.I. Department of Transportation for $2 million worth of safety improvements along Mount Pleasant Avenue between Smith and Beaufort streets, including sidewalks, new pavement, traffic signal improvements and raised crosswalks.

Ryan in a statement said the bike lane was not included “based on input from residents and local businesses.”

Indeed, residents turned out in droves at a January 2020 public information meeting on the proposed bike lane, citing lack of notice and safety concerns on the highly trafficked streets.

A year and a half later, businesses along South Water Street were sounding the same alarm bells, with many saying they had no notice of the twoway bike lane and feared increased congestion along a key entry point to Interstate 195. The city held an additional public information session in August to assuage business owners’ concerns.

But the city did not strike the bike lane from its plans.

Thomas Lisi, managing partner of Marcum LLP in Providence, could already see a traffic backup from the construction visible from his accounting firm’s South Main Street offices.

Like others along the riverfront edge of downtown, he was less than thrilled with the project.

“I foresee problems with traffic patterns, especially during that morning and afternoon commute time,” he said. “And parking is already tough over here.”

Street parking will not be affected by the bike lane, though vehicle traffic will be reduced from two lanes to one.

However, a city traffic study showed that the 705 cars per hour a one-lane road could accommodate would be more than enough based on current traffic patterns.

The South Water Street bike lane is expected to finish this fall, according to Rondeau. n

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Get a quote from our agents at www.beaconmutual.com www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 9

FOR STARTERS | WHAT’S HAPPENING Rescuing south coast

Marketing secret sauce

MASS. SEN. MICHAEL RODRIGUES, D-Plymouth, will be the keynote speaker at One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce’s Virtual Town Hall on Government Affairs. Rodrigues will talk about the budget for the commonwealth of Massachusetts, vaccinations and plans for the American Rescue Plan Act funds.

FRIDAY, OCT. 1, 9 A.M. Free

THE CENTER FOR WOMEN & Enterprise will hold a workshop titled “The Secret Sauce: Pinterest Marketing Strategy.” During the workshop, part of a five-part series, attendees will learn the secret sauce to marketing and branding, as well as how to build relationships with customers, create awareness and strengthen brand equity. Attendees will learn why Pinterest is important and how to repurpose engaging content from Instagram.

MONDAY, OCT. 4, 5-6 P.M. Free

Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/2WKNLyx TOP LEADERS: R.I. Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, left, and R.I. Department of Business Regulation Director Elizabeth M. Tanner will be speakers at the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs & Issues Breakfast event Oct. 7 at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln.

COURTESY PROVIDENCE CITY COUNCIL/PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Matos, Tanner to speak at NRI Chamber event SABINA MATOS, R.I. lieutenant governor, and Elizabeth M. Tanner, director of the R.I. Department of Business Regulation, will be speakers at the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs & Issues Breakfast event. Matos and Tanner will discuss multiple matters regarding the state and business.

THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 7:45-9:15 A.M. $25/members; $35/nonmembers Kirkbrae Country Club, 197 Old River Road, Lincoln.

Building new relationships THE TRI-TOWN CHAMBER of Commerce will hold its networking group in a forum setting in which business owners and entrepreneurs can build business relationships with one another. Four one-hour group sessions will be held over two days.

MONDAY, OCT. 4, 8 A.M. TO 1 P.M., TUESDAY, OCT. 5, 8:30-9:30 A.M. Free Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce, 280 School St., Mansfield.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3kdt9rZ

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/2VIA82y

Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/399mbOh

Small biz summit SCORE RHODE ISLAND will hold its third annual Women’s Small Business Summit, hosted by Kirkbrae Country Club. The summit’s theme for this year’s event is “Embrace, Engage & Flourish.” Attendees will have the opInterested 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 portunity to learn and network with fellow business professionals and build connections with one another.

TUESDAY, OCT. 5, 4:30-7:30 P.M. $40 Kirkbrae Country Club, 197 Old River Road, Lincoln.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3Aep3oR

Collaborating with members THE GREATER PROVIDENCE Chamber of Commerce will hold a virtual Chamber Café event. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with other Chamber members in a relaxed setting. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own coffee and breakfast.

THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 8:30-9:30 A.M. Free

aged to participate in the discussion.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 13, 2-3 P.M. Free Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3Cj1z2q

Fall River business FALL RIVER Mayor Paul Coogan will deliver his State of Business address during an event hosted by One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce at McGovern’s Family Restaurant. Coogan will detail past accomplishments, goals, planned policies and objectives for the city and its developing business community.

THURSDAY, OCT. 14, 7:30-9:30 A.M. $40

Online.

McGovern’s Family Restaurant, 310 Shove St., Fall River.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3hCTQ7M

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3tHnT2X

Talking real estate

Understanding pay equity law

THE TRI-TOWN CHAMBER of Commerce will hold a Real Estate Industry Round Table discussion on all aspects of real estate with other industry professionals. Agents, mortgage brokers, attorneys, painters, inspectors, contractors and marketers are encour-

THE NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND Chamber of Commerce will hold an HR Roundtable discussion titled “The New Pay Equity Law: What Employers and HR Professionals Need to Know!” Michael A. Gamboli, partner with Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP,

and Joshua D. Xavier, associate with the firm, will discuss the new state law geared toward ensuring pay equity and what employers need to know and do before the law becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2023.

THURSDAY, OCT. 14, NOON TO 1 P.M. Free Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/2Xv73sn

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, OCT. 20, NOON TO 1 P.M. Free Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/2XmJLoc

Life hacks THE GREATER PROVIDENCE Chamber of Commerce will hold a workshop

titled “September Is The New January! Organizing Life Hacks To Refresh Your Fall.” The presentation will offer the five best techniques for getting your space and time ­organized.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, NOON TO 1 P.M. Free Online.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3CbOI2f

A new cohort GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000 Small Businesses is prepping for its winter cohort for Rhode Island small businesses. The program provides business education, support services and pathways to capital for entrepreneurs. Small-business owners from any industry can apply for the threemonth course. Applications for the winter cohort are due Oct. 1.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12, 2022, THROUGH THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022, 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. Community College of Rhode Island, 400 East Ave., Warwick.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: 10ksbapply.com UPCOMING PBN EVENT: The Cybersecurity Summit will be held virtually from 9 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7. For more information, visit PBN.com.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Advertising@PBN.com.

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 11

SURVEY REBOUND CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

now are in demand.

And more than one-third of respondents said they are still facing higher costs related to restrictions on how businesses operate, and nearly as many expect more-stringent regulations will have a lasting effect on the cost of doing business.

It doesn’t help that memories of lockdowns, mask mandates and rules curbing public gatherings are still fresh for businesspeople. Caution lingers because the trauma caused by the near shutdown of the economy last year is proving impossible to forget.

“It’s like a judge telling a jury to disregard what they just heard,” said Edward M. Mazze, a University of Rhode Island distinguished professor of business administration who helped develop the PBN survey.

There is no doubt the pandemic has touched off a shakeup of the business landscape. Sixty percent of survey respondents said the pandemic will change the way they do business in the long term.

Only 10% said it would have no lasting effect.

But even in an upended environment, many businesses are mounting a comeback.

More than 6 in 10 report that net income has increased from a year ago, versus the 1 out of 4 who said the same thing six months ago. Business activity is also picking up, with two-thirds reporting quarter-over-quarter improvements in business activity, including new orders.

“The reality of this survey, every year but especially now, is that it’s about survival of the fittest,” Mazze said. “You can sit around and wait, and hope this thing disappears, or you can say, ‘These are the adjustments I need to make.’ ”

NOT-SO-DARK THOUGHTS The PBN survey, which has been conducted twice a year since 2008, is not scientific. PBN sent 22 questions to 1,054 businesses in the newspaper’s database, including two questions specific to the pandemic. One hundred and five returned the surveys, representing a span of industries from banking and manufacturing to hospitality and health services. A few employ more than 1,000 people, but most are small and midsize

EXPANDED OFFERINGS: John Nunes Jr., owner of Newport Vineyards and Winery LLC in Middletown, said the business has fared much better in weathering the COVID-19 pandemic than it did the 2008 financial crisis due to its diversification into “agritainment,” offering customers a full experience of wining, dining and touring the 100-acre farm beyond just selling bottled wine.

PBN PHOTO/DAVE HANSEN

­companies.

The latest survey results indicate that most businesspeople have steadfast faith that Rhode Island’s economic picture will brighten soon – 57% of respondents believe the state’s economy will improve slightly or significantly over the next 12 months, about the same percentage as six months ago.

And the percentage of respondents who anticipated a better outlook for their own business in the next year was 62.5%, a number largely unchanged since the summer 2018 survey.

That level of confidence is quite different from when the economy was rocked in 2008 by a financial meltdown that kick-started the Great Recession. In PBN’s summer 2008 survey, only

BOUNCING BACK

Quarterly business activity strongly rebounded this past summer, to the highest levels since 2017. Net income also bounced back from historic lows of the last two quarters, leaving a slight majority of respondents bullish on the economy over the next 12 months.

100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%

S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S 2008 2008 2009 2009 2010 2010 2011 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 2016 2016 2017 2017 2018 2018 2019 2019 2020 2020 2021 2021 nnnnnnn Current business activity improved compared with previous quarter nnnnnnn Net income improved vs. last year

nnnnnnn Expect the Rhode Island economy to be slightly or significantly improved in the next 12 months

about 24% of the businesses said they believed conditions in the state would improve slightly or significantly over the next year. And in the six months after the 2008 recession hit, optimism among respondents about their own business took nearly a 20-percentage-point plunge, with less than 40% foreseeing improvement at their company in the next year, the lowest result in survey history.

Why the buoyant outlook this time around?

It may have something to do with the way government aid was deployed in each crisis, according to Mazze.

In 2008, relief programs were aimed mostly at banks in an effort to bail out some large financial institutions and ease a credit crunch that stifled business activity. This time, help was directed to small businesses and the general public. Stimulus checks appeared to bolster consumer confidence and spending, and initiatives such as the Paycheck Protection Program loans served as a life raft for struggling businesses.

Best Practice Energy LLC received a $330,000 PPP loan while in the depths of the pandemic, Expect the Rhode Island economy to be slightly or significan which helped the South Kingstown energy conNet income last year sulting company limp improved throughvs.2020 and into a “dreadful” start to 2021, according to founder and Current business activity improved compared with previous President Bryan Yagoobian.

When the pandemic hit, a pipeline of new prospects was instantly crushed. And existing corporate clients who relied on Best Practice Energy to broker deals with natural gas companies evaporated.

“People didn’t want to hear about changing vendors or saving a few dollars on energy costs because they were in survival mode,” Yagoobian said.

He empathized. While Best Practice Energy CONTINUES ON PAGE 14

‘When you’ve been doing a good job for a long, long time, you’ve got a better chance of survival.’

GERALD CARLSON, Auto Rust Technicians owner 12 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

Stepping up when it matters most Last year, we committed $1.25 billion over five years to build on our long-standing work in support of driving racial equality and economic opportunity. To date, we’ve directly funded or invested nearly $400 million of this commitment, in addition to other ways we continue to make an impact in our communities.

Our actions include: •

$36 million to 21 Minority Deposit Institutions (MDIs) and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) banks that support minority-owned businesses. This is in addition to our approximately $100 million in deposits to MDIs and our existing $1.8 billion CDFI portfolio.

•

$300 million to 100 equity funds to provide capital to diverse entrepreneurs and small business owners

•

$10 million grant to fund the Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE), in partnership with Spelman and Morehouse colleges

•

$25 million to 21 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) and community colleges in support of job skilling and placement

•

Establishing new partnerships and coalitions focused on building skills and creating job opportunities for people of color

•

$60 million to increase access to capital and career opportunities for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) affordable housing developers

•

33 million+ masks, more than 272,000 bottles of hand sanitizer and 8 million gloves to communities in need

•

$1.35 million in grants to support mental health initiatives for young people of color

•

$25 million founding partnership in the Smithsonian’s new initiative on race, Our Shared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past

These are just some examples of how we’re working with community partners, business leaders, experts and academics across the public and private sectors to continue to drive progress.

At Bank of America, we call this a nice start.

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 13

SURVEY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

scraped by, relying on the health care and manufacturing clients who saw energy use increase during the pandemic, it was not easy.

The transition from face-to-face client meetings to those through computer screens was initially fraught with problems: malfunctioning software, cameras unexpectedly turning off. Virtual meetings and client hesitancy also lengthened the time it took to close a deal – sometimes taking a year where deals once would have been finished in six months.

Best Practice Energy has bounced back in recent months as corporate clients return and the pipeline of prospects flows again.

The forgivable PPP loans were helpful for businesses such as Best Practice Energy to get over the hump, although Yagoobian acknowledges feeling somewhat bitter about Gov. Daniel J. McKee’s decision to tax loans above $250,000. “It kind of felt like a cash grab,” he said.

TRANSPORTATION SHIFT?

The pandemic hasn’t had a dramatic effect on the type of help businesses annually seek from government.

While reducing the cost of doing business remains a concern for most owners, the only significant increase was in improving transportation infrastructure, identified by nearly 3 in 10 respondents.

100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%

S 2013

W 2013

S 2014

W 2014

S 2015

W 2016

S 2016

W 2017

S 2017

W 2018

S 2018

W 2019

S 2019

W S 2020 2020

W 2021

S 2021

nnnnnnn Improve transportation infrastructure nnnnnnn Provide tax incentives/credits

nnnnnnn Reduce cost of doing business in the state

nnnnnnn Reduce some of the red tape associated with doing business in the state nnnnnnn Support workforce development programs

As revenue improves at many companies, new problems crop up. Among them: finding workers.

More than half of those surveyed said a shortage of qualified workers was one of the greatest challenges to operating a business in mid-2021.

While this is similar to results in PBN surveys before the pandemic, employers say hiring has become much more difficult.

KEVIN MCKAY, Tockwotton on the Waterfront CEO and president

W 2012

nnnnnnn Eliminate the corporate tax

PAYING THE PRICE

‘If McDonald’s is paying $15 an hour, why would I come work as a CNA or a med tech?’

S 2012

WARNING SIGNS

Concerns about perennial issues may be growing after several quarters of declining or stagnant responses.

Shortage of qualified workers, taxes and government fees/bureaucracy all saw increases this past summer, though health care concerns remained stagnant and well below historic highs.

100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%

S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S 2008 2008 2009 2009 2010 2010 2011 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 2016 2016 2017 2017 2018 2018 2019 2019 2020 2020 2021 2021 nnnnnnn Shortage of qualified workers

nnnnnnn Government fees/bureaucracy (combines answers from most recent survey for state government fees/

bureaucracy and town/city government fees/bureaucracy and eliminates duplicate answers)

nnnnnnn Taxes

nnnnnnn Health care costs

HIRING HURDLE: Kevin McKay, CEO and president of Tockwotton on the Waterfront, a nursing and assisted living home in East Providence, speaks with Mariann Pari, director of nursing services. When Tockwotton announced in August that its workers would be required to get COVID-19 vaccinations, the organization lost seven workers who were unwilling to comply with the mandate.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

That’s in part because many job seekers are intent on finding remote work options, which they believe still abound as a result of early pandemic lockdowns. Many are no longer interested in the in-person opportunities that manufacturing, hospitality and health care industries require.

Vaccine mandates don’t help either.

After announcing its workers would have to get COVID-19 vaccinations in August, East Providence nursing and assisted living home Tockwotton on the Waterfront lost seven workers who were unwilling to comply, said CEO and President Kevin McKay. That’s on top of at least 10 unfilled clinical positions within its 210-person workforce. The company offered bonuses and increased regular wages for workers throughout the pandemic, relying on a $1.2 million PPP loan.

But it’s difficult to compete in a labor market overflowing with openings.

“If McDonald’s is paying $15 an hour, why would I come work as a CNA [certified nursing assistant] or a med tech?” McKay said.

Masks, cleaning supplies and paper goods got more expensive too, cutting into companies’ bottom lines. It’s unclear whether the supply chain shortages causing these price hikes will continue.

As they pull purse strings tighter, a growing number of businesses appear to be ready to pass on a part of that higher cost to their customers by raising prices, if they haven’t already. Only 16.5% CONTINUES ON PAGE 16

14 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

now accepting applications awards recognition

panel discussion

Applications now being accepted for companies and leaders who have made strides in leveraging Diversity & Inclusion to bring Workplace Excellence to their organizations.

The dramatic economic disruption resulting from the COVID-19 global pandemic and the unprecedented level of protests linked to racial injustice place greater pressure on companies to use Diversity & Inclusion initiatives to deliver meaningful cultural change and positive business results.

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A panel of experts will share their personal stories of struggles and successes in implementing successful Diversity & Inclusion programs within their organizations.

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 15

SURVEY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

of respondents said they intended to raise prices next quarter, but that’s more than double the amount a year ago.

Fewer are dead-set against price increases, too. Nearly 50% of respondents said hikes were “under review” for next quarter, up from 41% a year ago.

Gerald Carlson, owner of Auto Rust Technicians, a Cranston car-frame repair shop, has already pulled the trigger.

He recently added a surcharge to offset the rising cost of steel, which has increased from 50 cents to $2 per pound in the last year.

He hasn’t gotten many complaints yet. But he is confident that even a few disgruntled customers would do little to undermine his company’s 45-year reputation.

“When you’ve been doing a good job for a long, long time, you’ve got a better chance of survival,” he said. “I have the momentum from doing 110% for 45 years.”

It helped that Carlson’s offshoot manufacturing company, SafeTCaps Inc., never shut down.

In fact, demand for the car-frame repair kits that SafeTCaps Inc. makes – used by Carlson’s repair technicians and sold to customers who want to fix their vehicles themselves – spiked during the pandemic. There’s nothing like a lockdown to give people the push to take on a do-it-yourself project.

Carlson’s feeling so good about the future, he recently paid $500,000 for a building next to Auto Rust Technicians’ Niantic Avenue shop to expand operations. He was also thinking about buying additional equipment.

Other business owners are considering big buys, too.

Business investments in space and equipment fell sharply in the last year, with plans for upcoming capital equipment purchases hitting the low-

‘You can sit around and wait, and hope this thing disappears, or you can say, “These are the adjustments I need to make.” ’ EDWARD M. MAZZE, University of Rhode Island distinguished professor of business administration est number in PBN survey history at 15.2% in the summer of 2020. But as of the latest survey, buying plans are back on. One-quarter said they will be purchasing big-ticket items such as equipment in the next quarter, similar to pre-pandemic survey results.

To Mazze, the purchase plans offer further evidence that businesses have adjusted to the pandemic and are no longer letting the lingering uncertainty delay their expansion plans.

HIRE UP Investments in workers are also reemerging.

More than 55% of businesses surveyed are adding workers next quarter, up from 41% six months ago, though still below the peak of 63% in the winter 2018 survey.

Bowerman Construction Inc., for example, was considering adding several new project manager positions to bolster its Providence workforce, said Principal Gregory Post.

GROWTH PLANS

For the first time since the summer of 2019, an improving economy again has a majority of businesses expecting to hire in the next quarter. The one-quarter of businesses willing to spend on big-ticket items is the highest percentage since the pandemic began.

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S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S 2008 2008 2009 2009 2010 2010 2011 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 2016 2016 2017 2017 2018 2018 2019 2019 2020 2020 2021 2021 nnnnnnn Expect to hire in the next quarter

nnnnnnn Plan to purchase big-ticket items, including capital equipment, in next quarter

OPTIMISM INTACT

While still well short of historic highs, a solid majority expect things to improve for their business in the coming year. You have to go back to the Great Recession in 2008 to find less than half of respondents optimistic about their business.

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S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S W S 2008 2008 2009 2009 2010 2010 2011 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 2016 2016 2017 2017 2018 2018 2019 2019 2020 2020 2021 2021 nnnnnnn Better outlook for your business over next year than today

16 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

After seeing growth flatline in 2020, Post was hoping to see business increase as commercial construction projects resume this year.

“We’re kind of waiting for that time when everyone waves the white flag and a lot of companies wake up and say, ‘Now, we’re going to proceed with our building project,’ ” Post said.

While labor and material costs strained the company during the pandemic, the biggest challenge is one that has plagued employers for years: health care.

“From the start of this survey, you would find it very difficult to find a businessperson who would disagree with the statement that health insurance costs are overly high,” Mazze said.

Nearly half of businesspeople surveyed named health care costs as a top challenge in the most recent survey – not the highest in the survey history, but a continued pain point for many, including Post.

His grievance with the annual increase in health insurance costs for employers might also reflect that while he has been working at Bowerman since 2013, he only took over as co-owner at the end of 2020. Previously, he worked as vice president of business development.

It’s not just the insurance plans themselves Plan to purchase items, including capital equipm that jack up expenses, either.big-ticket Even the administrative burden of negotiating with insurers Expect to hire in the next quarter requires time, expertise and costs beyond the company’s scope.

“We’re a small company, not in a big pool, so we’re kind of limited on our options,” Post said.

Nevertheless, as the survey indicates, Post and others are optimistic that the worst is over.

The pandemic forced changes at Newport Vineyards and Winery LLC in Middletown, but the business has adapted and is seeing things improve. It’s been a far different experience than what owner John Nunes Jr. went through during the 2008 financial crisis.

Back then, the vineyard was a small operation, focused on the rows of locally grown grapevines and wholesale bottle sales.

Now, the business is diversified, more about what Nunes called “agritainment:” the experience for the visitors who wine, dine and tour the 100acre farm.

The coronavirus crisis did require alterations.

Where customers once sidled up to the bar for a guided tasting, they now take a flight of glasses back to their tables to enjoy on their own. The drop-in clients have now been replaced by those with reservations, with each party limited to a 90-minute stay.

But while the company’s double-digit annual revenue growth slowed during the pandemic, revenue still increased, thanks to third-party sales and a large outdoor visiting area. In a way, Nunes figures, the vineyard is protected from a complete failure when a crisis such as this crops up.

“People drink wine in good times and in bad,” Nunes said. n

EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS ‘We rally to help each other’

BY CASSIUS SHUMAN | Shuman@PBN.com

(Editor’s note: This is the 14th installment in a monthly series speaking with minority business owners and leaders. Each is asked their views on minority-business conditions in the state and for ways to improve those businesses’ chances for success.)

RoseMarie Clemente’s ascent to owner of a real estate agency was set in motion by seeing her hardworking immigrant father work a variety of jobs while buying, fixing and selling homes in East Providence with the aid of friends in the Portuguese community.

“They were flipping houses before flipping houses was popular,” she said.

Clemente, a first-generation Portuguese American, started working at age 14 cold-calling potential customers to sell vacuums at an appliance store in East Providence. That early experience in customer service built a foundation for her real estate career.

Clemente transitioned into real estate, working for Yorktown Realty in the Rumford section of East Providence, where she sold residential properties for a few years. In 2006, she felt confident in opening her own agency, Baron & Clemente Real Estate LLC, using “Baron” as an homage to a business mentor of her father’s.

The agency, based in East Providence, represents buyers and sellers of residential and commercial properties.

Clemente says incidents of discrimination she faced as a child fueled her desire to succeed in life.

As a youngster, she was called a racial slur and, in one case, was ostracized by three white boys in the East Providence middle-class neighborhood where she was raised. They singled her out at the local school bus stop because of her Portuguese descent, refusing to allow her to join other children seeking shelter in a nearby garage.

It’s an experience that still brings her to tears, but she credits her father with giving her the strength to overcome it – a strength she still uses.

“When I started my own business, I was afraid, but … I pushed through the adversity,” she said.

All people of Portuguese origin or culture are considered minorities under Rhode Island’s Minority or Women Business Enterprise program, which gives businesses owned by minorities and women special consideration in state contracting matters. Clemente opposed an attempt in 2020 by state Rep. Anastasia P. Williams, D-Providence, to remove Portuguese from the minority category.

The legislation failed.

“You do not move ... minorities forward by disbanding other minorities. And that’s what she was trying to do,” Clemente said. “She was trying to say Portuguese people are not a minority. They are a minority.

“You don’t do that,” she added. “You bring people together, and move people forward who have not had the opportunities that other people have had.”

Clemente’s parents arrived in the U.S. in the 1950s from the Azores, and she said they worked hard to provide for their family. Her father worked three factory jobs when she was growing up, including at the former American Insulated Wire Corp. in Pawtucket. He eventually opened his own meat market and painting business. “He was an extremely hard worker,” she said.

Her mom worked as a seamstress at a Warren clothing manufacturer and, on weekends, earned extra income as a tailor. “I never throw a penny away because they came to this country and didn’t have anything,” Clemente said. “I don’t even think my dad had change in his pocket.”

RoseMarie Clemente

Baron & Clemente Real Estate LLC STATUS QUO: RoseMarie Clemente, owner of Baron & Clemente Real Estate LLC, says she opposes any effort to remove Portuguese from the list of qualifying origins for the state’s Minority or Women Enterprise Business program.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

1

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

Throughout my career in real estate, I’ve come across a number of smart, talented and energetic minority individuals serious about starting a business but sometimes hesitant because they are not aware of several excellent programs being offered that would provide assistance. Frankly, while not diminishing the discriminating pressures we minorities have felt over time, I do know that there are more avenues today offering assistance to various minority populations within the Ocean State.

So, while there are the daily challenges we face, business owners should focus on what is needed to be successful.

Daniel J. McKee, along with the not-for-profit Rhode Island Foundation, launched a $150,000 study to figure out ways to promote, support and grow minority-owned businesses. There are several programs minority-owned businesses can turn to for assistance. An excellent example, there is the Minority Business Enterprise Compliance [Office], the U.S. Small Business Administration, the R.I. Office of Diversity, Equity & Opportunity, the Center for Women & Enterprise and The Portuguese American Leadership Council of the United States. In effect, Rhode Island could pump up the volume, if you will, by promoting these areas more aggressively. There are talented minority individuals around us that may not be aware of these avenues of assistance.

2

4

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

For me and my business, I value everyone; equality and diversity, well-being and community are important to me; fair operating practices and transparency are paramount to a successful business. Rhode Island has been blessed with a very diverse population. That said, I have been successful in part because of the diversity within my marketplace. I also grew up with a father who brought the community together to accomplish a goal, such as building a house or renovating a property. The Portuguese community is always really productive in that way, as we rally to help each other in times of need.

3

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

I think Rhode Island is moving in the right direction. Recently the administration of Gov.

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

I have never had to turn to a nonbank lending source. In Rhode Island, we are fortunate to have a diverse selection of banking institutions committed to providing fair financing assistance to minority-owned businesses.

5

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

I would direct them to the programs I mentioned that are offered by the state. Any of those programs will afford talented entrepreneurs interested in operating a small business clear and concise assistance. One thing we all should never lose sight of: Rhode Island is economically driven by small businesses. It’s in our state’s best interest to ensure everyone, regardless of race, has equal opportunity. n

The Portuguese community is always really productive. www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 17

FOCUS | HEALTH CARE

Search is on to find help to lose those extra pounds

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

AMY

Palazzo struggled with her weight for as long as she can remember, trying countless diets and exercise routines. Sometimes she lost pounds only to gain them back.

Then COVID-19 hit. Working at home, scarcely leaving her North Providence apartment, except to visit her parents, Palazzo saw an opportunity to prioritize her health.

She got extra motivation from the knowledge that being overweight or obese increased her chances of severe illness if she contracted the virus, tripling the likelihood of hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“It was important to get myself healthy so I didn’t have to worry about those kinds of things,” she said.

Across the state, medically supervised weight loss and weight management programs saw significant increases in demand during the pandemic.

Some, such as Palazzo, wanted to take advantage of their long hours at home.

Others packed on even more pounds during lockdown. Driven to stress-eating and unable to exercise at a gym, people gained up to 2 pounds per month of the period of stay-at-home orders, according to a March 2021 study published in the Journal of the

American Medical Association Network Open. By comparison, the average adult gained 1-2 pounds per year, according to pre-pandemic CDC estimates.

“What had been 12 pounds of weight to lose became 20, became 25 pounds,” said Wendy Leonard, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Rhode Island Nutrition Therapy LLC. And especially when the time came to change out of sweatpants and return to the office, or try to reestablish an exercise routine, people realized they needed help.

“They might have felt like they could manage it before, whereas now they felt like it was out of control,” she said.

Leonard’s North Kingstown-based business doubled the number of clients participating in one-on-one and group weight loss programs, from 150 to 300, she said.

The types of people participating also changed. In addition to middle-aged women, Leonard started seeing people in their 20s, as well as those from farther away for whom now-virtual offerings were more manageable.

Palazzo, who participated in a mostly virtual medically supervised fasting program through Lifespan Corp.’s Center for Weight Loss and Wellness, found the format convenient.

“I could attend the group sessions from

FAST ­RESULTS: Amy Palazzo, a patient at the Lifespan Center for Weight Loss and Wellness, has lost 87 pounds since signing up for a medically supervised fasting program at the center in ­February.

PBN PHOTO/ ELIZABETH GRAHAM

‘It was important to get myself healthy.’

AMY PALAZZO, Lifespan Center for Weight Loss and Wellness patient 18 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

my couch,” she said.

Attendance at group programs, which are meant to enhance one-onone visits with nutritionists, exercise physiologists and other clinical staff, improved greatly when the gatherings went virtual, said Dr. Vincent Pera Jr., medical and program director for the Center for Weight Loss and Wellness.

The absence of face-to-face interaction didn’t diminish results, either.

Palazzo has lost 87 pounds since signing up in February, dropping five clothing sizes and shaving 10 inches off her waist. Her attitude has changed, too.

Where she once struggled to find an exercise routine she enjoyed, she now looks forward to coming home from her job at the R.I. Department of Administration, clearing a space in her living room and queuing up a YouTube workout video or hopping on her stationary exercise bike.

She is still on a restricted-calorie plan that includes meal-replacement shakes, but she has become a moreeducated consumer when selecting foods to eat.

The biggest shocker for Palazzo was learning about the amount of sugar in non-dessert foods.

“Chinese food, that’s pretty much the worst thing you can eat,” she said.

Meanwhile, she’s reversed the fatty liver disease that developed with being overweight and soon hopes to stop taking high blood pressure medication.

The pandemic has increased interest in health in general, at least based on the conversations Dr. Shawn Howland hears during his day job as an emergency room physician. Howland was happy to hear that the alarm bells about the correlation between obesity and disease were finally being heard, even if not from him.

It also inspired him to start a side gig running a medication-assisted weight loss program in Providence.

Oceanside Physician Services opened in September 2020 and within weeks had 100 patients on its roster, each with individual meal plans and U.S. Food and Drug Administrationapproved appetite-suppressing medication. Even now, about 10 new participants sign up each week, Howland said.

While national obesity rates have been climbing for decades, pandemicassociated weight gain could worsen the crisis, Pera said.

“I would expect that in two to three years, we’ll see the whole [obesity] curve elevate on the graph a couple of points,” he said.

Leonard wasn’t convinced that there will be a long-term increase in obesity rates. She said it depends on how long the pandemic lingers.

“If we’re in a state of constantly having things shut down or having requirements around wearing masks to the gym, staying at home, absolutely things are going to get worse,” she said. That also includes the mental toll of economic and health uncertainty.

“Stress, isolation, depression, and even the medication for those, are definitely factors,” Leonard said. n

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 19

FOCUS | HEALTH CARE TELEMEDICINE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

doctor may have patients who live close by in another state, telemedicine can be particularly tricky if doctors aren’t licensed in both places. In telemedicine, the patient’s location, rather than their doctor’s, dictates the legally recognized site of care.

“We’re a small state in a region of small states,” said Dr. James McDonald, medical director of the R.I. Department of Health. “In order to have the actual practice of medicine, you really need to just be able to talk to your doctor. ... You need to meet patients where they are a little bit.”

For this reason, the department opted to allow out-of-state providers to see patients in Rhode Island via telemedicine visits – a measure that McDonald said has been in place prior to the ­pandemic.

“The key point there was a continuity of care,” McDonald said, so with “an established relationship” between a patient and a provider, “we had no concerns.”

While Rhode Island’s health department remains tolerant about licensing, Massachusetts has returned to pre-pandemic stringency, to some physicians’ vexation.

“Massachusetts was really the big issue for us,” said Dr. Peter Hollmann, chief medical officer of Brown Medicine and a board member of the Rhode Island Medical Society.

“We were not worried that the R.I. Department of Health would cite Peter Hollmann for talking to a patient in Seekonk,” he said, “but the concern would be whether [the Massachusetts] licensure board, their medical authority would come after Peter Hollmann for practicing without a license in Rhode Island.”

The most likely repercussions doctors risk would be having a complaint filed against them with their own medical board, according to Hollmann, resulting in a fine, suspension or educational measures. In extreme cases, Hollmann said states might try to enact criminal sanctions.

Dr. Kevin Baill, associate chief medical officer for Butler Hospital, also expressed concern with Massachusetts regulations.

“We’ve had a lot of discussion about the impact of out-of-state orders, especially for Massachusetts,” Baill said. “And we have a lot of patients who are out of state but access our services.”

Butler, a behavioral health and psychiatric care hospital, often works with patients who don’t always need face-to-face interactions, Baill said.

With some therapies, such as group meetings, video­conference calls have helped to alleviate space limitations.

Some providers opt for multistate licensure to continue seeing out-of-state patients via telehealth.

Massachusetts has enacted “various flexibilities” and “a streamlined process for out-of-state physicians to obtain a Massachusetts license” if they wish to continue seeing out-of-state patients via telemedicine, according to a spokeswoman for the Mass. Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

But multistate licensure is not feasible for all providers, Baill said. Becoming licensed is a “fairly long and expensive process.” Applying for a Massachusetts medical license can take months and maintaining an out-of-state license can cost

LOSING CONNECTION? Dr. Kevin Baill, associate chief medical officer at Butler Hospital in Providence, speaks with Nikole Kennedy, operations coordinator. Baill says telehealth has been crucial during the ­COVID-19 pandemic, but he worries about more-stringent cross-border regulations.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

providers more than $1,000 for four years.

“It isn’t something that’s sustainable if there’s only going to be a small number of patients that get served,” Baill said.

Rhode Island saw a 50% increase in physicians licenses issued from 2015 to 2020 and another significant increase in 2021, according to McDonald.

He largely attributes this jump to the increasing use of telemedicine, noting that about 1 in 6 physicians licensed in Rhode Island have an out-of-state home address.

Even under Rhode Island’s telemedicine allowances, administrators at Brown Emergency Medicine – which along with Brown Medicine is part of Brown Physicians Group Inc. – were not comfortable accepting out-of-state patients via telehealth due to concerns of a legal risk.

When the Brown Emergency Medicine Tele­ CARE System was launched last winter, “we never did allow our providers to take care of patients from out of state unless they were licensed in the state in which the patient was present,” said Dr. Gary Bubly, an emergency physician and senior director for business development at Brown Emergency Medicine.

“We were starting a novel service, and our risk management folks were being very conservative about testing the waters,” Bubly said.

But not all doctors are as stringent about fol-

‘We’ve had a lot of discussion about the impact of out-of-state orders.’

DR. KEVIN BAILL, Bulter Hospital associate chief medical officer 20 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

lowing out-of-state telehealth licensure rules, Bubly noted, adding that he sees value in relaxing telemedicine licensure standards beyond state borders.

“If I go to California next week, am I better off calling my primary care provider with a problem from California, or going to a doctor I don’t know?” Bubly asked.

“Some of these rules, they’re well-intentioned because they’re trying to ensure quality of licensure providers,” he added, “but in that case, my provider would probably cover those needs better and provide better, safer care via telemedicine.”

In 2013, state medical boards, working with the Federation of State Medical Boards, created the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, a network of 30 states, Washington, D.C., and Guam offering “a voluntary, expedited pathway to licensure for physicians who qualify.” While individual states still grant the licenses, physicians complete one common application for licensure in any member states.

Hollmann doesn’t see a national licensure program gaining traction but hopes to see states adopt policies that prioritize continuity of care, like Rhode Island’s model.

While telemedicine usage has decreased since the early days of the pandemic, providers anticipate some demand for the service is here to stay. In July, Rhode Island adopted legislation that permanently maintains certain telemedicine measures extended during the pandemic.

With this anticipated longevity, some hope for more accessibility to practicing telemedicine across state borders.

“At least within our state, we’re operating as if telehealth and remote treatment is here to stay,” Baill said. “It would be ideal for us if that were true beyond our state borders, if that could be true for all providers around the country.” n

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 21

FOCUS | RHODE ISLAND HEALTH & DENTAL INSURERS | FOCUS HEALTH (ranked by total RHODE lives coveredISLAND as of June 30, 2021) & DENTAL INSURERS Company | Website CEO/President

Address Phone

Total lives covered 1 Directinsured lives 2

1

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

500 Exchange St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 459-1000

2

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

910 Douglas Pike Smithfield, R.I. 02917 (401) 459-6000

2021 rank

2020: 1

2020: 2

(ranked by total lives covered as of June 30, 2021) CLOSER LOOK

Direct premium income (gross) 3

Net income (loss) 3

Admitted assets 3

Liabilities 3

Capital and surplus 3

386,308 17,223

$1.7 bil.

$42.4 mil.

$862.1 mil.

$446.3 mil.

$415.8 mil.

213,336 25,533

$1.4 bil.

$24.8 mil.

$404.5 mil.

$281.8 mil.

$122.6 mil.

NL = Not listed last year.

475 Kilvert St. Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 737-6900

178,379 23

$1.5 bil.

$49.5 mil.

$473.6 mil.

$269.2 mil.

$204.4 mil.

4 2020: 3

Altus Dental Insurance Co. 4 | altusdental.com Joseph Perroni

10 Charles St. Providence, R.I. 02904 (877) 223-0577

169,514 NA

$69.1 mil.

$4 mil.

$58.2 mil.

$14.3 mil.

$43.9 mil.

5 2020: 5

Delta Dental of Rhode Island | deltadentalri.com Joseph Perroni

10 Charles St. Providence, R.I. 02904 (401) 752-6000

136,159 NA

$81.1 mil.

$3.9 mil.

$173.4 mil.

$19.9 mil.

$153.4 mil.

3

6 2020: 6 7 2020: NL

1.1 million LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette

UnitedHealthcare of New England Inc. | unitedhealthgroup.com Andrew Witty, CEO, UnitedHealth Group; Brian Thompson, CEO, UnitedHealthcare

2020: 4

Total lives covered in Rhode Island:

FOOTNOTES j Total lives include administrative service contracts with self-insured employers. Figures represent Rhode Island residents only, except where noted. k Direct-insured lives reflect covered lives in the individual insurance market. Figures represent Rhode Island residents only, except where noted. l Direct premium income, net income or loss, assets, liabilities, and capital and surplus are for the fiscal year as of Dec. 31, 2020. m Altus is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Dental of Rhode Island.

Tufts Health Plan 5 | tuftshealthplan.com Cain Hayes, CEO

75 Fountain St. Providence, R.I. 02902 (401) 272-3499

24,500 NA

$5.6 bil.

$10.7 mil.

$2.6 bil.

$1.5 bil.

$1.2 bil.

WellCare Health Plans of Rhode Island Inc. | wellcare.com Ryan Fogarty, president

450 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Suite 7A East Providence, R.I. 02914 (314) 725-4477

866 NA

$0

($117,051)

$3.4 mil.

$154658

$3.2 mil.

1 Total lives include administrative service contracts with self-insured employers. Figures represent Rhode Island residents only, except where noted.

2 Direct-insured lives reflect covered lives in the individual insurance market. Figures represent Rhode Island residents only, except where noted.

3 Direct premium income, net income or loss, assets, liabilities, and capital and surplus are for the fiscal year as of Dec. 31, 2020.

4 Altus is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Dental of Rhode Island.

5 Financial information aggregated from reports Tufts Health Maintenance Organization Inc., Tufts Health Public Plans and Tufts Insurance Co. Financial performance for these

divisions of Tufts Health Plan includes direct premium income and financial position from Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

We provide sophisticated legal representation to sophisticated health care providers.

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mammography technologist

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 Financial information aggregated from reports by Tufts Health Maintenance Organization Inc., Tufts Health Public Plans and Tufts Insurance Co. Financial performance for these divisions of Tufts Health Plan includes direct premium income and financial position from Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

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THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS! PRESENTING SPONSORS

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BRONZE SPONSORS A. Autiello Construction Co., Inc. Aramark Arden Engineering Constructors, LLC Aubin Corporation Baird Bally Bank of America Merrill Lynch BD Brown Surgical Associates, Inc. Wayne and Jeanie Charness The Claflin Company CORE Cycle.Fitness.Largree Cox Business Delta Dental of Rhode Island Dorian J. Murray Foundation

Electric Boat Employeesʼ Community Services Association Jonathan and Ruth Fain Fund Fidelity Investments First Bristol Corporation Hart Engineering Corp.

Scott Laurans REMAX Professionals of Rhode Island Rhode Island Medical Imaging, Inc. The Tomorrow Fund Transition Solutions, Inc. Tufts Health Plan United Healthcare of New England, Inc. The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

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Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island

BankNewport

The Neurosurgery Foundation, Inc.

Davitt Design Build, Inc.

Donna Paolino Coia and Arthur Coia

Day Pitney LLP

Pariseault Builders, Inc.

Joseph and Sarah T. Dowling

Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP

Epic

Pawtucket Credit Union

Falvey Insurance Group

The Peregrine Group

Horizon Beverage Company of Rhode Island

Providence Mutual

Huffmaster Crisis Response

ReedGroup

Littler

Toray Plastics (America) Inc.

Locke Lord LLP

Vision 3 Architects

MetLife

VPNE Parking Solutions

The Murray Family Charitable Foundation

Webster Bank

Sponsors as of 9.7.2021

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 23

FOCUS | |RHODE RHODEISLAND ISLANDCOMMERCIAL COMMERCIALREAL REALESTATE ESTATESALES SALES- RETAIL - RETAIL (listedbybysalesaleprice priceonon2020 2020transactions) transactions) (listed Address

Buyer

Seller

580 Kingstown Road, South Kingstown

JP Morgan Chase Bank

Ritts Realty LLC

2715 Pawtucket Ave., East Providence

CGRI East Providence LLC

Dollar General

1235 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence

White Horse Properties LLC

Southwest Properties LLC

111 High St., Pawtucket

Seven Stars Bakery

Major Electric & Supply

1776 Post Road, Warwick

TPG Development

Crossroads Capital Fund IV LLC

1459 Atwood Ave., Johnston

Cobble Hill Development

Walgreen's

1035 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown

Rhody Capital LLC

CIOE Lender LLC

202 JT Connell Highway, Newport

Joseph M. Toole

Pizza Hut of America

550 Dyer Ave., Cranston

Garrett Homes LLC

Walgreen's

1441 Warwick Ave., Warwick

Alma Fund Inc.

Burke Tarr Furniture Co.

63 Airport Road, Warwick

Hyde Park Properties IV LLC

Beef Hearth Inc.

341 Providence St., Warwick

Kateden LLC

Whitney Group Inc.

417 Smithfield Ave., Providence

CCJ LLC

Tartaglione Holdings LLC

591 Beverage Hill Ave., Pawtucket

RI Property Wire LLC

Steven D'Angelis

1568 Broad St., Cranston

Minty Auto Sales LLC

David Voller

CLOSER LOOK

Broker Co-Broker

Square footage Date of sale

Sale price

Hayes & Sherry

9,000 Feb. 2020

$3,200,000

Hayes & Sherry

7,351 June 2020

$2,589,500

Top sales re-ranked by square footage

MG Commercial

19,232 Feb. 2020

$2,250,000

1

Hayes & Sherry

42,000 Jan. 2020

$1,137,500

Hayes & Sherry

26,154 Nov. 2020

$1,050,000

Hayes & Sherry

8,250 July 2020

$900,000

Hayes & Sherry

8,949 Oct. 2020

$800,000

Hayes & Sherry

2,130 Nov. 2020

$765,000

Hayes & Sherry

8,200 April 2020

$755,000

MG Commercial

10,200 June 2020

$700,000

MG Commercial

2,520 Sept. 2020

$655,000

Capstone Properties Inc.

2,244 Sept. 2020

$600,000

MG Commercial

4,240 Oct. 2020

$575,000

MG Commercial

3,904 Jan. 2020

$247,500

MG Commercial

1,440 April 2020

$180,000

111 High St., Pawtucket Square footage: 42,000

2

1776 Post Road, Warwick Square footage: 26,154

3

1235 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence Square footage: 19,232

FOCUS | BRISTOL FOCUS MASS., COMMERCIAL REALSALES ESTATE- RETAIL SALES - RETAIL | BRISTOL COUNTY,COUNTY, MASS., COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE (listed by sale price on 2020 transactions) (listed by sale price on 2020 transactions) Address 377 Chauncy St., Mansfield

Buyer

Seller

Square footage Date of sale

Sale price

NA

75,536 Oct. 2020

$25,000,000

$13,900,000

Broker

BBK Mansfield LLC

TRT Mansfield LLC

275 Highland Ave., Seekonk

ORF III King Phillips Crossing LLC

Inland Western Seekonk Power Center

NA

700,445 Feb. 2020

255 Joseph E. Warner Blvd., Taunton

Agree Limited Partnership

Warner Blvd Development LLC

NA

57,646 Jan. 2020

$10,150,000

136 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford

Exchangeright Net Leased Portfolio 40 DST

JJP South New Bedford LLC

NA

13,098 Oct. 2020

$7,859,619

446 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford

PSNB Realty LLC

Scott P. Brown, trustee

NA

44,457 Dec. 2020

$6,800,000

561 Orchard St., New Bedford

NECR New Bedford LLC

New Bedford Retail LLC

NA

10,258 Aug. 2020

$2,557,000

1 Chauncy St., Mansfield

MAG Retail Holdings - BBG LLC

Joseph and Frances Vicino, trustees

NA

12,631 Nov. 2020

$1,575,000

38 Bethel St., New Bedford

New Bedford Inc.

Bethel Street LLC

NA

12,062 Aug. 2020

$1,300,000

$1,200,000

1

275 Highland Ave., Seekonk Square footage: 700,445

2

377 Chauncy St., Mansfield Square footage: 75,536

3

255 Joseph E. Warner Blvd., Taunton Square footage: 57,646 LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette

1 Nauset St., New Bedford

Nauset Street Holdings LLC

Galant Inc.

NA

8,901 Aug. 2020

89 North Water St., New Bedford

Anna Matveeva, trustee of the 89 North Water Street Trust

Everett D. Mills Jr.

NA

22,658 Aug. 2020

$985,000

123 MacArthur Drive, New Bedford

New Bedford Harbor Development Commission

Ronald Oliveira

NA

10,075 July 2020

$800,000

732 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford

Iglesia Pentecostes De Dios

John H. Bowden

NA

8,487 May 2020

$705,000

1558 Purchase St., New Bedford

Request Investments LLC

1558 Purchase St LLC

NA

10,240 Feb. 2020

$620,000

1151 Fall River Ave., Seekonk

Seekonk Realty Ventures LLC

SIC Property LLC

NA

30,405 Sept. 2020

$600,000

24 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

Top sales re-ranked by square footage

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

UPCOMING LISTS Oct. 15: Architectural Firms, Private Secondary Schools; Oct. 29: Top Private 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.

WOMEN IN LAW full page

9.75” x 13.73”

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OCTOBER 29, 2021

9.75” x 6.34”

Recognizing women who have a track record of setting legal precedents, winning big cases for their clients and mentoring the next wave of women in law – all while finding ways to give back to their communities.

Highlight your firm’s female rising stars and veteran attorneys in this special section within the PBN Quarterly Law Review in the October 29th issue.

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Information to include in profile: • • • • • • •

Name Job Title Company Name Phone number Email address Company Website Number of years working in your current industry

• Number of years with your current company/firm • Undergrad degree/university • Law degree/university • Official bio, 150 to 300 words • High resolution headshot (minimum 300 dpi)

DEADLINE: October 20, 2021

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Reserve your ad space by calling Linda Foster at 401-680-4812 or Foster@PBN.com

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 25

FOCUS FOCUS | |RHODE RHODEISLAND ISLANDCOMMERCIAL COMMERCIALREAL REALESTATE ESTATESALES SALES- OFFICE - OFFICE (listedbybysalesaleprice priceonon2020 2020transactions) transactions) (listed

CLOSER LOOK

Address

Buyer

Seller

Broker Co-Broker

Square footage Date of sale

Sale price

180-200 Corliss St., and 146, 148 and 303 West River St., Providence

Albany Road Real Estate Partners LLC

Corliss Center LLC

CBRE Inc.

220,000 May 2020

$42,500,000

155 South Main St., Providence

Brown University

Atlantic Enterprises

CBRE Inc.

55,000 Dec. 2020

$6,300,000

Top sales re-ranked by square footage

4780 Tower Hill Road, South Kingstown

Morgan Schoen Hospitality Inc.

Ocean Pastoral Center Inc.

CBRE Inc.

5,400 Dec. 2020

$3,650,000

1

487 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick

Mutual Properties 487 LLC

Salmanson Properties Inc.

MG Commercial

44,150 April 2020

$3,150,000

900 Highland Corporate Drive, Cumberland

R.I. Department of Health

Highland CCC III LLC

MG Commercial

20,280 Nov. 2020

$2,600,000

870 Westminster St., Providence

Omni Property Group Inc.

IA CFG Portfolio LLC

MG Commercial

60,000 March 2020

$1,500,000

588 Pawtucket Ave., Pawtucket

Nursing Placement Holdings LLC

North Main Lafayette Realty LLC

Peter Scotti & Associates MG Commercial

20,200 Aug. 2020

$950,000

77 Franklin St., Westerly

Westerly Medical Associates LLC

Rocco Andreozzi

MG Commercial REMAX Commercial

10,000 Nov. 2020

$835,000

67 Valley Road, Middletown

Racing Green LLC

Ocean State Newport Realty LLC

MG Commercial CBRE Inc.

6,401 June 2020

$800,000

371 Pine St., Providence

Crossroads Rhode Island

Hotel Associates LLC

Sweeney Real Estate & Appraisal

11,192 Dec. 2020

$700,000

117 Eddie Dowling Highway, North Smithfield

Yanbin Wang/Jiangsha Meng

Bluestone Development Group LLC

MG Commercial

8,500 July 2020

$685,000

56 Pine St., Providence

Rosciti Communications LLC

Spring Holdings LLC

Sweeney Real Estate & Appraisal

6,991 Sept. 2020

$580,000

999 Chalkstone Ave., Providence

Stephen Born

Abrams & Verri Realty

MG Commercial

3,800 Dec. 2020

$550,000

180-200 Corliss St., and 146, 148 and 303 West River St., Providence Square footage: 220,000

2

870 Westminster St., Providence Square footage: 60,000

3

155 South Main St., Providence Square footage: 55,000

FOCUS | BRISTOL | BRISTOL COUNTY,COUNTY, MASS., COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FOCUS MASS., COMMERCIAL REALSALES ESTATE- OFFICE SALES - OFFICE 58 Walcott St., Pawtucket

Nick Paciorek

Freedom Bank

Capstone Properties Inc.

8,275 March 2020

$525,000

(listed (listedbybysalesaleprice priceonon2020 2020transactions) transactions) Address

Buyer

Seller

Broker

Square footage Date of sale

Sale price

72 North Water St., New Bedford

Candleworks Ventures LLC

New Bedford Inc.

NA

15,087 July 2020

$2,500,000

200 Myles Standish Blvd., Taunton

Charles C. Hajar

Smartco Myles Standish Realty LLC

NA

11,640 April 2020

$1,900,000

30 Taunton Green, Taunton

Wallace W. Varonko and Robert A. Conway

SCF RC Funding III LLC

NA

7,600 Oct. 2020

$1,426,667

172-174 North Main St., Mansfield

SFMG LLC

Lewis W. Davison Jr.

NA

10,368 Oct. 2020

$1,400,000

550 Tarkiln Hill Road, New Bedford

Michael W. Panagakos

ARC CBNBDMA001 LLC

NA

4,072 Oct. 2020

$1,165,720

391 Oakland St., Mansfield

Wise Holdings LLC

ZSS LLC

NA

5,150 July 2020

$775,000

879 Arcade Ave., Seekonk

Thomas Evans

Shotokan Associates Ltd.

NA

44,431 Oct. 2020

$750,000

129 Rockdale Ave., New Bedford

Route 9 Realty LLC

Torman Family Realty LLC

NA

3,536 May 2020

$750,000

38 Elm St., New Bedford

TOB NB LLC

Livery Corp.

NA

8,164 Dec. 2020

$600,000

685-691 Fall River Ave., Seekonk

Jennifer T. Mello

D&H Properties LLC

NA

23,610 July 2020

$575,000

412 County St., New Bedford

WF Realty NB LLC

Interchurch Council of Greater New Bedford

NA

11,157 Jan. 2020

$475,000

401 County St., New Bedford

401 Realty LLC

MIH1 LLC

NA

10,748 May 2020

$370,000

945 Taunton Ave., Seekonk

Seekonk Dance Center LLC

945 Taunton Avenue LLC

NA

30,013 Oct. 2020

$360,000

179 William St., New Bedford

William and 8th LLC

Eve M. Gates, trustee

NA

7,553 Nov. 2020

$359,900

26 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

Top sales re-ranked by square footage

1

879 Arcade Ave., Seekonk Square footage: 44,431

2

945 Taunton Ave., Seekonk Square footage: 30,013

3

685-691 Fall River Ave., Seekonk Square footage: 23,610 LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette NEED A COPY? To purchase a copy of this list, call (401) 273-2201 or visit PBN.com/lists for more information.

UPCOMING LISTS Oct. 15: Architectural Firms, Private Secondary Schools; Oct. 29: Top Private 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.

FOCUS | |RHODE RHODEISLAND ISLANDCOMMERCIAL COMMERCIALREAL REALESTATE ESTATESALES SALES- INDUSTRIAL - INDUSTRIAL (listed (listedbybysalesaleprice priceonon2020 2020transactions) transactions)

CLOSER LOOK

Buyer

Seller

Broker Co-Broker

1530 Davisville Road, North Kingstown

Electric Boat Corp.

Quonset Development Corp.

CBRE Inc.

147,700 Jan. 2020

$7,700,000

25 Almeida Ave., East Providence

Future Foam Inc.

Gainesville Development Limited Partnership

MG Commercial; Stubblebine

116,250 Aug. 2020

$4,000,000

30,000 Dec. 2020

$3,075,000

Address

Square footage Date of sale

Sales price

244 Burlingame Ave., North Kingstown

Newton Properties LLC

Goodison LLC

CBRE Inc.

125 Commerce Park Drive, North Kingstown

Howes Inc.

CFS 915 LLC

CBRE Inc.

25,963 Sept. 2020

$2,700,000

30 Hamlet St., Pawtucket

Perdan Enterprises LLC

Neptco Inc.

CBRE Inc.

69,000 April 2020

$1,965,000

201 Narragansett Park Drive, East Providence

Zoll Medical Corp.

Duchin Realty Inc.

CBRE Inc.

39,904 Jan. 2020

$1,925,000

22 Almeida Ave., East Providence

22 Almeida Ave LLC

Benker Family LLC

Sweeney Real Estate & Appraisal; Rodman Real Estate

31,800 Nov. 2020

$1,800,000

155 Amaral St., East Providence

Bachrodt Property Amaral LLC

Benjamin B. Viti

Sweeney Real Estate & Appraisal

28,984 Oct. 2020

$1,700,000

811 Park East Drive, Woonsocket

Prime Restoration and Remediation LLC

811 Park East Drive LLC

Sweeney Real Estate & Appraisal; Rodman Real Estate

20,000 May 2020

$1,350,000

97 Dexter Road, East Providence

Scott Perry

Grexter LLC

MG Commercial

30,500 Feb. 2020

$1,300,000

121 Broadcommon Road, Bristol

SIMJUL LLC

Drowneville Associates LLC

CBRE Inc.; Sotheby's International Realty

17,854 July 2020

$1,175,000

1518 Pontiac Ave., Cranston

Konstantinos Dokos

GML Realty Management LLC

CBRE Inc.

14,990 Jan. 2020

$1,060,000

Top sales re-ranked by square footage

1

1530 Davisville Road, North Kingstown Square footage: 147,700

2

25 Almeida Ave., East Providence Square footage: 116,250

3

30 Hamlet St., Pawtucket Square footage: 69,000

FOCUS | BRISTOL COUNTY, MASS., COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SALES | BRISTOL COUNTY, MASS., COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SALES - INDUSTRIAL FOCUS INDUSTRIAL 11,23,25,43 Aldrich St. and 1117 Eddy St., Providence

NLR Partners

Mahr Inc.

MG Commercial; RE/MAX

59,242 Dec. 2020

$995,000

1 Industrial Court, East Providence

Howe Realty LLC

Donald G. Gervais

CBRE Inc.

19,570 Jan. 2020

$975,000

(listed by sale price on 2020 transactions) (listed by sale price on 2020 transactions) Address

Buyer

Seller

Broker

Square footage Date of sale

Sale price $98,000,000

10, 15 and 50 Commerce Way, Norton

Westbrook Acquisitions LLC

Maind LL LLC

CBRE Inc.

1,100,000 July 2020

1977 Fall River Ave., Seekonk

ET Seekonk LLC

Scannell Properties No. 254 LLC

NA

3,305,333 Sept. 2020

$49,025,000

220 O'Connell Way, Taunton

220-56 BCLP O'Connell Owner LLC

Maind LL LLC

NA

158,868 July 2020

$35,700,000

1133 County St., Taunton

Equity Industrial Partners

RJ Kelly Co.

Jones Lang LaSalle

351,320 Dec. 2020

$35,079,000

530 John Hancock Road, Taunton

DIV Acquisition IV LLC

530 John Hancock Inc.

CBRE Inc.

181,900 Dec. 2020

$28,600,000

45 Norfolk St., Mansfield

Foxrock Norfolk Realty LLC

Dirico Realty LLC

NA

205,400 Dec. 2020

$25,500,000

20 Middlesex Road, Mansfield

N.B. Partners Fund III LP

NE Ventures II LLC

CBRE Inc.

83,899 Dec. 2020

$8,250,000

85 Independence Drive, Taunton

Harpak-Ulma Packaging LLC

Martin Family LLC

CBRE Inc.

44,640 Nov. 2020

$4,600,000

137 High St., Mansfield

Cumberland Commercial Center LLC

Adett Realty Trust

NA

42,689 July 2020

$4,000,000

259 Samuel Barnet Blvd., New Bedford

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.

G. McCarthy Properties-New Bedford LLC

CBRE Inc.

40,000 Sept. 2020

$4,000,000

874 County St., Taunton

MHC83 (HW Portfolio) LLC

Curatolo Taunton LLC

NA

2,562 Aug. 2020

$3,482,587

81 Charles F. Colton Road, Taunton

CPI Taunt I LLC, CPI Taunt II LLC and CPI Taunt III LLC

Masstaunt 81 LLC

NA

6,820 Dec. 2020

$3,215,000

10 Industrial Court, Seekonk

Black Ranch Terminals LLC

Estes Express Lines

NA

242,411 Dec. 2020

$3,100,000

NA

27,888 June 2020

$3,000,000

305 Constitution Drive, Taunton

Blazenterprise LLC

Eisenberg Amos TRS

Top sales re-ranked by square footage

1

1977 Fall River Ave., Seekonk Square footage: 3,305,333

2

10, 15 and 50 Commerce Way, Norton Square footage: 1,100,000

3

1133 County St., Taunton Square footage: 351,320 LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette NEED A COPY? To purchase a copy of this list, call (401) 273-2201 or visit PBN.com/lists for more information.

UPCOMING LISTS Oct. 15: Architectural Firms, Private Secondary Schools; Oct. 29: Top Private 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.

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 27

IT’S PERSONAL JWU names business college dean MARY MEIXELL was recently named the new dean for the Johnson & Wales University College of Business. She brings to the university more than 20 years of higher education experience, including as a faculty member and administrative leader. She most recently served as a senior associate dean at Quinnipiac University’s School of Business. Meixell also plans to work with business and civic leaders in Rhode Island, and further solidify JWU’s standing with industry leaders in hospitality, food, health and other sectors.

What are your immediate plans for the college as dean?

I plan to move our college forward to be a positive force in our community. Our faculty and students want to use their expertise to make the world a better place. We already have initiatives in place today in support of this – for example, our accounting students prepare tax returns for those in need through the volunteer income tax assistance program.

What aspects of your experience working for General Motors Co. are you bringing to academia at JWU? For many of us, our first job is one where we learn the most, which is certainly true for me. I was a new college graduate when I joined General Motors, where I developed my work ethic and sense of professionalism, something that I’ve carried with me throughout my career. My experience at General Motors also taught me about the value of collaboration. When I teach supply chain management, I talk about the process of “aligning the arrows.” It is an important lesson; enterprises big and small cannot succeed if parts of the organization are at cross-purposes. All need to be working to the same goal.

JWU is known for hospitality and food service programs.

Which other sectors do you hope to connect with the College of Business?

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One of the best things about a business education at JWU is the faculty, and specifically their close ties to industry.

They exercise those relationships to the advantage of our students every day. I hope to expand on these relationships by connecting with sectors that already have a great deal of student interest. For example, the fashion merchandising and retail area. We have almost 300 students in these programs. There is a great opportunity area for both students and employers. We also have programs and strong student interest in financial services and supply chain and logistics management – I hope to also connect with companies in both of these sectors.

Which sectors do you feel need the most help with increasing the workforce and how will JWU help with that?

Three industries important to the Rhode Island and New England economies come to mind for workforce growth: health care, technology and construction. It can be challenging to develop a workforce for these sectors because much of the work is interdisciplinary in nature. At JWU, we have interdisciplinary programs with foundations of collaboration. Our students take coursework in our College of Engineering & Design and College of Health & Wellness in support of careers [in] these sectors – in this way, we tie our academic programs’ focus on the needs of industry. n

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275 Silver Spring Street Providence, RI (401) 272-5846 Sales@worldtrophies.com 28 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

IT’S PERSONAL MACKAY’S MORAL | HARVEY MACKAY

Sail high Cs to success I WROTE A CHAPTER on “The Seven Cs of Success” in my recent book “You Haven’t Hit Your Peak Yet!” They included: clarity, competence, constraints, concentration, creativity, courage and continuous learning.

A reader sent me a very fitting quote from Zig Ziglar: “The three Cs of life: choices, chances, changes. You must make a choice to take a chance, or your life will never change.”

Who would have known there were so many Cs to help sail through life?

And I have listed several more: Curiosity – Curiosity is one of nature’s greatest gifts. Be curious about everything around you. The future belongs to the curious; the ones who are not afraid to try it, explore it, poke at it, question it and turn it inside out.

Commitment – When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results. Commitment is a prerequisite to success. Commitment is the state of being bound – emotionally, intellectually, or both – to a course of action.

Competition – The breakfast of champions is competition. Competition has made me a better businessman, a better golfer and a better person. And when there isn’t another company or business to compete with,

I try to outdo myself.

Communication – The most basic yet crucial life skill is communication. From time to time, reevaluate your performance in these fundamental areas: speaking, listening, writing, leading meetings and resolving conflict. Communication needs to be clear and understandable. Communication requires both effective sending and receiving.

Consistency – Don’t be resistant to being consistent. If you are persistent, you will get it. If you are consistent, you will keep it. Consistency is especially important in business. Consistency establishes reputations. In any business, customers expect the same standards. They want predictability.

Compassion – Compassionate people really care. Compassionate people are also more positive. Helping someone up won’t pull you down.

Caring – It’s contagious! Help spread it around. People don’t care how much you know about them once

they realize how much you care about them. This concept is so important that I made it the theme of my first book, “Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive.” It’s also central to my Mackay 66 Customer Profile.

Learn as much about your customers and suppliers as you possibly can.

Build those relationships and take it from a business level to a personal level.

Customers – Nothing is more important than customer service. No customer service, and pretty soon no customers. The key is to latch onto your customers and hold them fast.

Don’t just meet their needs. Anticipate them. Don’t wait for them to tell you there’s a problem. Go out and ask them if there’s a problem. Disappoint customers and they’ll disappear.

Charisma – Some people walk into a room and all heads turn. When they begin to speak, people are mesmerized. They instantly gain respect and trust. In a word, they have charisma,

Consistency establishes reputations.

one of the most desirable and enviable qualities in the world.

Charm – My mother used to tell me that you could catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. When I finally understood what she was talking about, I realized that our personalities often determine the outcome of situations. Charm is what you bring out in other people because you are genuinely interested. It’s a life lesson, not just a business strategy.

Challenge – Unless you live on Easy Street, you will face plenty of challenges. Welcome challenges – they make you better. Business challenges are a fact of life. How you handle them determines whether you will stay in business.

Cooperation – Getting along is the key to getting ahead. Competition and cooperation are not opposites. We often must work together to have the best outcomes and stay competitive.

Mackay’s Moral: “C-ing” is believing and succeeding. n Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive.” He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com. | SPONSORED CONTENT |

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE HEALTH CARE Matthew D. Alvin, MD, has joined Rhode Island Medical Imaging as a radiologist.

Dr. Alvin completed the Neuroradiology Fellowship Program in the Department of Radiology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD where he also completed the Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program. Dr. Alvin earned his BS degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an MBA degree from the University of Florida, Hough School of Business Accelerated MBA Program, and MA and MS degrees from Case Western Reserve University Graduate School in Cleveland. He earned his MD degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He resides in Needham, MA.

HEALTH CARE

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Jason Halpern, MD, has joined Rhode Island Medical Imaging as a radiologist. Dr. Halpern completed a Residency in Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Providence, RI. He earned a BS in Chemistry from Fordham University, Bronx, NY and his MD at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Halpern served as Chief Resident and med-student lecturer during his Brown Radiology Residency.

He is a member of the Lifespan Patient Care Oversight Committee, American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America, and the American Roentgen Ray Society. Dr. Halpern lives in Warwick.

Michael V. Longo, MD, has joined Rhode Island Medical Imaging as a radiologist. Dr. Longo completed a Body Imaging and Interventions Fellowship and a Diagnostic Radiology Residency at the Brown Warren Alpert School of Medicine/Rhode Island Hospital. He held an Internal Medicine Internship at Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, CT. Dr. Longo’s experience includes the Brown Department of Diagnostic Imaging Body Case Conferences and the Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards. He holds a BS degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Buffalo and earned an MD degree from New York Medical College, School of Medicine. He resides in Providence, RI.

Home Loan Investment Bank is pleased to announce that Barrington resident Brian Parylak has joined the team as a Mortgage Banker at the bank’s Mortgage Loan Office located at 185 Wickenden Street in Providence. In his new role, Brian will be responsible for developing business on the East Bay of Rhode Island and into Southeastern Massachusetts.“We are thrilled to welcome Brian to the Home Loan family,” said Brian J. Murphy, Chairman and CEO, Home Loan Investment Bank. “His knowledge of the industry and connections in his local community will be tremendously valuable as we grow our presence on the East Bay and beyond.”

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

Featured and Standard Listings available.

For additional information or to submit a Standard listing, visit PBN.com/pbnconnect.

For a Featured listing, contact your account manager or Advertising@PBN.com | 401.680.4800 www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 29

IT’S PERSONAL TO SAVOR | JESSICA NORRIS GRANATIERO

Your fall ‘wine wardrobe’ THIS TIME OF THE YEAR – when the humidity has dissipated and nights are crisp – is one of my favorites.

While I feel lugubrious about less light-filled days, I embrace the season’s changing wardrobes from shorts and sundresses to wool sweaters, corduroy pants and heavier suit jackets.

We change our “wine wardrobe,” too.

This means we bring forth wines that partner well with the season’s cool nights and hearty foods. So, what in the wine world marks the fall season like pumpkin spice lattes do in the coffee space? Hearty red wines, lush, full-bodied white wines and fullflavored fruit wines, ones made from fruits other than grapes.

I always say drink what you like anytime, but sipping a wine incongruous to the season may not bring out the best bibulous pleasures. For example, a hearty red wine on a hot summer day is like wearing a wool coat to the beach. It’s not as enjoyable.

Here’s more on my fall wine wardrobe: Hearty red wines. They include options such as cabernet sauvignon, malbec, tempranillo and amarone, the latter an Italian style of wine made from a combination of grapes. These hearty reds typically are packed with

more tannins, components in the grape skins and seeds that often give that mouth-coating, drying sensation.

A wine’s tannins are great for pairing with the steaks and beef roasts often enjoyed during autumn.

These red wines’ tannins bind with a meat’s protein and create a butter-like sensation on the palate instead of the drying, velvety one.

Malbec is a grape grown mostly in Argentina and southern France; tempranillo is cultivated mostly in Spain.

Some of these two reds can be light bodied if fermented and aged in stainless steel or cement vats. Though most of them provide us with a sipping experience full of luxurious silkiness, coating the mouth, because of their time aging in oak barrels.

Amarone – made from grapes indigenous to Italy’s Veneto area – is a wine like no other. Extremely opulent filled with an abundance of fruit, amarone will warm you on any chilly fall evening. The perfect matches for it are pulled pork from the crockpot or oven, lamb with a dried cherry sauce and game days.

Lush, full-bodied white wines. Lush full-bodied whites encompass chardonnay and viognier, both made in a style with oak barrel aging. Viognier

COOL COMPLEMENT: Bluet wild blueberry sparkling wine from Maine pairs well with wine biscuits made with Bluet.

COURTESY JESSICA NORRIS GRANATIERO

is a grape grown often in southern France, Washington state and sometimes California. Condrieu, France, in the northern part of the Rhône Valley, is the most famous area for viognier.

It has a voluptuous body and flavors of tropical fruits, and when it rests for months or years in oak barrels, the resulting wine packs a honey punch.

These richer styles of chardonnay

and viognier are splendid partners for chicken and dumplings, chicken pot pie and salmon. Lastly, anything toasty or bready or foods as simple as smoked gouda cheese and roasted nuts pair well, too.

Fruit-made wines. Fruit wines are those made from fruits other than grapes, such as blueberry, apple and cranberry. They can be dry or cloyingly sweet. Nickle Creek Vineyard LLC in Foster makes some of the bestflavored, sweeter fruit wines, such as its Autumn Cranberry. Sip that while nibbling on fresh cranberry and nut bread. Maine’s Bluet, made from fresh Maine wild blueberries, is a dry, slightly sparkling wine, similar to lambrusco. It’s stunning! My favorite pairings with it are wine biscuits made with Bluet.

Fruit wines are best enjoyed with only a slight chill on them. When wines are too cold, meaning just removed from the refrigerator, the flavors are masked. Wine needs time to open up and bloom. I recommend taking wine out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before you want to sip it. n Jessica Norris Granatiero is the founder of The Savory Grape, a wine, beer and spirits shop in East Greenwich.

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30 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

IT’S PERSONAL GUEST COLUMN | SUSAN GARY

Endowments and climate change HARVARD UNIVERSITY WILL keep phasing out all investments tied to oil, gas and coal, it announced on Sept. 9. Harvard President Larry Bacow cast it as a response to climate change – part of a broader trend that’s gaining steam among many large institutions with endowments.

Climate activists called the announcement a victory in response to their yearslong campaign demanding fossil fuel divestment.

But as a law professor who writes and researches about the role climate change considerations can play in investments held by universities, foundations and other large institutions, I instead see it as part of a bigger story. Investing with climate change in mind is now an accepted practice for endowments, whether or not an institution uses the word divestment to describe this strategy.

Interestingly, Bacow didn’t say Harvard is divesting from fossil fuels.

Instead, he explained that less than 2% of its roughly $42 billion endowment is connected to those industries, through stakes in private equity funds. These indirect investments will soon be phased out, and Harvard will not acquire any new assets with fossil fuel exposure in the future.

uncompensated financial risk.

Since many people are used to thinking of climate or environmental factors as nonfinancial, the idea of using environmental information in an investment decision sounds risky, but it need not be. The environmental information is added to traditional financial metrics, with a goal of improving financial returns or reducing financial risk.

Efforts to act on concerns about climate change and its serious financial consequences are creating good investment opportunities that might help investors make money too. A study that looked at 35 university endowments that divested from fossil fuels – whether they called it that or not – found that refraining from investments in those industries generally didn’t affect endowment performance from 2011 to 2018.

Aligning an organization’s investments with its mission has also become a more common and accepted

The term divestment is generally used in business to refer to selling an asset or the division of a company.

In this context, it means selling off stocks, bonds and other assets held in an investment portfolio tied to a specific industry based on ethical reasons – rather than for financial motives.

Harvard, however, has refused – even now – to use that word. As a result, students, faculty and others had continued to pressure Harvard to divest, even after it began to move in this direction in 2008.

What changed?

The use of strategies for sustainable and responsible investing has undergone a transformation and become far more common in recent years.

Investing that incorporates environmental, social and governance factors into decision-making may mean avoiding a company because that information indicates

practice for charities.

The IRS has issued guidance regarding how charities may use investments to help carry out their missions – not just to produce income. Indeed, the IRS said that some charities can earn a belowmarket return on their investments due to practices that are tied to their missions.

That is why I was intrigued to see that Bacow’s open letter to the Harvard community recognized that seeking to slow climate change is connected with the university’s mission. Its endowment “is building a portfolio of investments in funds that support the transition to a green economy,” he wrote.

The letter also emphasizes Harvard’s mission: “The principal way we influence the world is through our research and teaching,” Bacow wrote.

As complicated as strategies for using a university’s endowment to address climate change may prove, I expect to see other schools following Harvard’s lead. n

Investing with climate change in mind is now an accepted practice.

Susan Gary is professor emerita of law at the University of Oregon.

Distributed by The Associated Press.

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COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES (ranked by number of full-time undergraduates, 2019-2020 academic year) COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES (ranked by number of full-time undergraduates, 2019-2020 academic year) 2020 rank

1

2019: 1

2

2019: 2

3

2019: 3

4

2019: 5

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 David M. Dooley, president 1

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

12,596 4,869

3,164 1,158

$12,922 $30,496

1892

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

Brown University | brown.edu Christina H. Paxson, president

Johnson & Wales Univeristy | jwu.edu Mim Runey, chancellor; Marie Bernardo-Sousa, president, Providence campus

Community College of Rhode Island | ccri.edu Meghan Hughes, president

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

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

7,160 3,173

6,138 565

6,096 18,684

3,124 868

1,238 453

848 768

$59,254 NA

$33,054 $33,054

$4,284 $12,128

1764

1914

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS 2020 rank

1

Re-ranked by oldest institutions:

1

2 Wheaton College 3

Rhode Island College Year founded: 1854

5

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | umassd.edu Mark Preble, acting chancellor

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

5,465 2,689

1,349 603

$14,358 $30,103

6

Rhode Island College | ric.edu Frank D. Sánchez, president

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

4,950 2,581

1,252 331

$8,835 $13,252 2

2019: 4

LIST RESEARCHED BY Cassius Shuman

2019: 6

7

2019: 8

8

2019: 9

9

10

2019: 7

11

Providence College | business.providence.edu Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, president 3

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

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

Roger Williams University | rwu.edu Ioannis Miaoulis

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

Bryant University | bryant.edu Ross Gittell, president

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

Bristol Community College | bristolcc.edu Laura L. Douglas, president

4,140 859

4,022 1,303

3,349 435

2,971 3,880

942 298

1,317 579

855 313

1,077 125

$51,490 $51,490

$36,648 $36,648

$44,498 $44,498

$4,944 $9,888

2019: 11

Stonehill College | stonehill.edu Rev. John F. Denning, president

320 Washington St. Easton, Mass. 02357 (508) 565-1000

2,481 22

300 170

$44,420 $44,420

12 2019: 12

New England Institute of Technology | neit.edu Richard Gouse, president

One New England Tech Blvd.

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

2,314 478

279 262

$30,000 $30,000

1854

1917

1956

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

WANT TO JOIN? For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 680-4884 or write to Shuman@PBN.com.

NL = Not listed last year.

FOOTNOTES  David M. Dooley will retire in June of 2021.

1863

1965

1948

PBN 2021

Retail pharmacy and pharmacy benefit chain

Just missed the list:

Submarine construction, design and life cycle maintenance

1 Embrace Home

3

Raytheon IDS | raytheon.com Anthony F. O'Brien, vice president and chief financial officer

1847 West Main Road Portsmouth, R.I. 02871 (401) 842-5438

$36.3 bil.

1,025

Systems and weapons developer and integrator

Loans Inc. 2019 revenue: $142.1 million

2019: 7

4

United Natural Foods Inc. | unfi.com John W. Howard, chief financial officer

313 Iron Horse Way Providence, R.I. 02908 (401) 528-8634

$26.5 bil.

776

Distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods

2 Navigant Credit Union

5 2019: 5

Amgen Inc. | amgen.com Peter H. Griffith

40 Technology Way West Greenwich, R.I. 02817 (401) 392-1200

$23.4 bil.

903

Biotechnology manufacturer

Fidelity Investments Inc. | fidelity.com Maggie Serravalli

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

$20.9 bil.

3,100

7

Citizens Financial Group Inc. | citizensbank.com John Woods, vice chairman and chief financial officer

1 Citizens Plaza Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 456-7000

$7.4 bil.

4,900

Financial institution

8

Gilbane Inc. | gilbaneco.com John T. Ruggieri, senior vice president and chief financial officer

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

$6.4 bil.

457

Construction and real estate development

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

$6.1 bil.

5,400

6

2019: 9

9

2019: 10

10

13

$3.5 bil.

900

Manufacturer of sensors for automotive, aerospace and industrial customers

Lifespan Corp. 2 | lifespan.org Mary A. Wakefield, executive vice president and chief financial officer

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

$2.4 bil.

15,922

14

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island | bcbsri.com Mark Stewart, chief financial officer and executive vice president

500 Exchange St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 459-1000

$1.7 bil.

763

15

Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | nhpri.org Frank Meaney

910 Douglas Pike Smithfield, R.I. 02917 (401) 459-6000

$1.4 bil.

548

FOOTNOTES Company | Website  Massimiliano Chiara Principal(s) replaced Alberto Fornaro as Vanassechief Hangen Brustlin Inc. |on vhb.com financial officer April Joseph 6, T. 2020.

Wanat, principal and Rhode Island managing director Health insurer  Lifespan Corp. includes Emma Pendleton Bradley Pare Corp. | parecorp.com Hospital, Newport Hospital, Larry Riggs, president 2019: 2 Rhode Island Hospital/ Health insurer Hasbro Children’s Hospital and The Miriam Hospital.

BETA Group Inc. | beta-inc.com Frank Romeo,  TwinCEO River Worldwide 2019: 3 Casino hotel management; Holdings Inc. rebranded as gaming and entertainment Bally’s Corp. on Nov. 9, 2020.

GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc. | gza.com Tiffany CEO & Co. was acquired Sheehan, and president 2019: 4 Patrick 

by Moet Hennessy - Louis Retail Vuitton, Societe Europeenne, also known as LVMH, on Nov. Wright-Pierce | wright-pierce.com 2019.

John W.25, Braccio Communication and 2019: 5 network technologies, IT services, visual communications and AV DiPrete Engineering | diprete-eng.com integration Dennis L. DiPrete, president 2019: 7

16

Bally's Corp. 3 | twinriverwwholdings.com Steve Capp, executive vice president and chief financial officer

100 Twin River Road Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 723-3200

$919.9 mil.

1,930

Ocean State Job Lot | oceanstatejoblot.com John D. Conforti

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

$725 mil.

1,367

18

Carousel Industries of North America Inc. | carouselindustries.com Jason Cherry

659 South County Trail Exeter, R.I. 02822 (800) 401-0760

$560 mil.

430

Salve Regina University | salve.edu Kelli J. Armstrong, president

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

2,091 680

$42,220 $42,220

1947

Rhode Island School of Design | risd.edu Rosanne Somerson, president

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

2,009 492

749 602

$52,860 $52,860

1877

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

1,751 9

587 295

571 132

$54,118 $54,118

2019: NL

19

Locke Lord LLP | lockelord.com Barry Honea

20

1834

“The Most Innovative Organization in Education” –Providence Business News, 2018

BOOK OF LISTS 120+ LISTS | 800+ COMPANIES | 1,500+ EXECUTIVES

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GET ON A LIST

| 75

ENGINEERING FIRMS

Health care

40 Providence Place Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 270-4555

42,000 2

250 1,200

5 2019: 5

Four Points by Sheraton Norwood | fourpointsnorwood.com Ray Prescottano, general manager

1125 Boston Providence Turnpike Norwood, Mass. 02062 (781) 769-7900

40,000 30

1,000 550

The WaterFire Arts Center | artscenter.waterfire.org Barnaby Evans, executive artistic director

475 Valley St. Providence, R.I. 02908 (401) 273-1155

37,000 4

1,000 700

Bally's Corp. 1 | twinriver.com Soohyung Kim, chairman, Bally's Corp.; George Papanier, CEO and president, Bally's Corp.; Marc Crisafulli, executive vice president, strategic development and government affairs, and president of Twin River Casino Hotel and Tiverton Casino Hotel

100 Twin River Road and 777 Tiverton Casino Blvd.

Lincoln and Tiverton, R.I. 02865 and 02878 (401) 723-3200 and (401) 816-6000

36,000 11

2,850 1,400

8

Hope Artiste Village | hopeartistevillage.com Jacqueline DuBose, property manager

999 Main St. Pawtucket, R.I. 02860 (401) 312-3850

35,000 5

245 245

9

Westerly Education Center | westerlyedcenter.org Amy Grzybowski, executive director

23 Friendship St. Westerly, R.I. 02891 (401) 584-4931

34,500 17

100 NA

10

10 2019:

Gurney's Newport Resort & Marina | gurneysresorts.com/ newport David Smiley

NL = Not listed last year.

1 2019: 1 2

3 4

5 6

2800 Financial Plaza Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 274-9200

$496.4 mil.

83

Law firm

630 Currant Road Fall River, Mass. 02720 (774) 888-1300

$432.4 mil.

800

Manufacturing

300 Maple Ridge Drive Cumberland, R.I. 02864 (401) 288-0100

$367.5 mil.

540

Luxury jewelry and silverware manufacturer and retailer 2019: 9

2019: NL

22

Cardi Corp. | cardi.com Josh Blais

400 Lincoln Ave. Warwick, R.I. 02888 (401) 739-8300

$250 mil.

550

Contractor specializing in bridge, highway and heavy Gordon R. Archibald Inc. | graengs.com construction 2019: 10 Joseph J. Giordano, president

2019: NL

23

Woodard & Curran | woodardcurran.com David Remick

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

$246.3 mil.

56

Engineering, science and operations 2019: 13

2019: NL

24

Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp. | whcorp.com Javeed Buch, senior vice president and chief financial officer

23 New England Way Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 333-2770

$235 mil.

30

Distributor of parts and service for packaging 2019: 16 industries

25

Thielsch Engineering Inc. | thielsch.com Trent D. Theroux

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

$185.1 mil.

610

Construction and engineering 2019: 17

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

16

2019: 16

2019: 17

2 Stafford Court Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 943-1000 33 Broad St., Floor 7 Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 273-1007 2350 Post Road, Suite 100 Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 773-7880 195 Frances Ave. Cranston, R.I. 02910 (401) 467-6454

11

NL

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

Thielsch Engineering Inc. | thielsch.com Thomas Lent

McMahon Associates | mcmahonassociates.com William Steffens, chairman; Joseph Desantis, president; Robert Smith, R.I. office lead

14 2019: 15

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

Woodard & Curran | woodardcurran.com Douglas McKeown, CEO

8

2019: 14

2019: 15 701 George Washington Highway Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 333-2382

Steere Engineering Inc. | steereengineering.com Patricia Steere, owner and president

11

200 Main St. Pawtucket, R.I. 02860 (401) 726-4084 14 Breakneck Hill Road Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 648-7200

17

18 2019: 18 19

2019: 19

20 2019: 20

21

2019: 21

22 2019: 22

23 2019: 23

24,284 16

1,100 600

1 West Exchange St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 598-8000

22,877 19

850 660

Foxboro, Mass. 02035 (508) 668-7200

22,000 6

2,000 1,800

Vanasse 31 HampshireHangen St. Mansfield, BrustlinMass.

Inc. 02048 (508) 339-2200

 Formerly the Providence Biltmore Hotel, which rebranded on March 1, 2019.

20,000 16

1,200 700

 Formerly the Alex and Ani City Center, which was renamed on Nov. 21, 2019.

Civil, environmental, land development, 43 planning, transportation 67 Ambrosia Wedding & Events | ambrosiafunctions.com Sunny Patel, owner and general manager Bridge, civil, dams, environmental, 33 geotechnical, GIS, highway, marine, 28 permitting, stormwater, structural, traffic Holiday Inn Foxboro/Mansfield | ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels Tricia Putignano,Civil, general manager GIS/asset environmental management, landscape architecture, 32 structural, traffic/transportation, urban 28 planning, wastewater and water Graduate Providence 2 | graduatehotels.com/providence Scott Williams, general managerdams and levee, marine, Environmental, 24 MS4 stormwater and water resources, 27 offshore wind energy, solid waste The Preservation Society of Newport County | newportmansions.org Building design,director civil, dams, electrical, GIS, Trudy Coxe, CEO and executive 20 mechanical, stormwater, water/ 7 wastewater White's of Westport | lafrancehospitality.com Charles F. Fellows, general manager Civil and environmental regulatory 15 permitting for land-development projects 19 throughout southern New England Thomas M. Ryan Center | theryancenter.com Leah manager Civil, environmental, instrumentation and 13 Becki, general controls, sewer and waste, utility, water 18 Hotel Viking | hotelviking.com 3D CAD modeling and rendering, bridge, Shaun 11 Borges contractor support, environmental, 10 highway, NBIS bridge inspection, traffic Ramada by Wyndham Seekonk-Providence Consulting, electrical, energy, fire Area 11 | wyndhamhotels.com/ramada protection, laboratory testing, mechanical, Nancy sales director 57 Marocco, metallurgical, plumbing, process 3 | theprovidencerink.com BankNewport City Center Civil and environmental, public works and 11 Brant private development 5 Gawrys, manager

Belle Design, engineering, planning, technology 8 Mer | longwoodvenues.com Tracey and managing partner and transportation solutions 22 Becker, president

24 2019:

Providence Marriott Downtown | marriott.com/pvdri 8 Structural-engineering consulting firm Farouk Rajab 3

Brownfields, civil and environmental 7 Newport Beach House | longwoodvenues.com engineering, and ecosystem restoration 6 Tracey Becker, director of sales

CLOSER LOOK

Re-ranked by total engineers: 2 Washington St.

1

No. of engineers: 110

2 Thielsch

11 Dorrance St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 421-0700

Engineering 424 Bellevue Ave.Inc. Newport, R.I. 02840 No. of engineers: (401) 847-1000

3

No. of engineers: 61

1 Lincoln Almond Plaza South Kingstown, R.I. 02881 (401) 788-3200 1 Bellevue Ave.

Newport, R.I. 02840 LIST RESEARCHED BY (401) 847-3300 Cassius Shuman

NEED A COPY?Ave. 213 Taunton Seekonk, Mass.

02771of this To purchase a copy (508) 336-8700 list, call (401) 273-2201 or visit PBN.com/lists for more information.

2 Kennedy Plaza

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

5 5

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

860A Waterman Ave. East Providence, R.I. 02914 (401) 435-5570

4 1

Geotechnical engineering and groundwater hydrology Civil, environmental, land development, planning, site, surveying and regulatory permitting

17

Millstone Engineering PC | millstoneeng.com Jeffrey C. Hanson, president

250 Centerville Road Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 921-3344

4 1

2019: NL

19

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

20

Harbor Engineering LLC | harboreng.com August J. Kreuzkamp

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

2 0

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

21

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

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

1 16

Electrical, fire protection, HVAC and plumbing

21

Trinity Engineering RI Peter DiSpigno, owner

11 Briggs Road Foster, R.I. 02825 (401) 500-2538

1 0

www.nemca.org

@NewEnglandMCA

17,700 6

2,500 1,600

16,600 10

WANT TO JOIN? For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 680-4884 or write to Shuman@PBN.com.

NL = Not listed last year.

FOOTNOTES  Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc. changed its name to Bally’s Corp. on Nov. 9, 2020.

7,800 2,400

14,500 11

400 400

14,025 8

800 520

2,500 2,500

600 450

NL = Not listed last year.

(401) 272-2400

1 Orms St. Providence, R.I. 02904

11,351 13

650 450

55 Purgatory Road Middletown, R.I. 02842 (617) 854-5000

11,105 3

500 400

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Electrical, fire alarm, generators, photovoltaic systems

130

PROMOTING THE MECHANICAL CONTRACTING INDUSTRY FOR OVER

| PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS ■ BOOK OF LISTS | www.pbn.com

YEARS

617.405.4221 124 | JANUARY 2021

400 350

400 350

14,000 0

317 Iron Horse Way Brownfields, civil, environmental, 6 Providence, R.I. 02908 hazardous materials, health/safety, land 6 ■ BOOK 144 | JANUARY 2021 | changed PROVIDENCE 1 Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc. name to BUSINESS Bally’s Nov. 9, 2020.

(401) 861-3070 development, MEP,itssustainable designCorp. onNEWS 2 Formerly the Providence Biltmore Hotel, which rebranded on March 1, 2019.

3 Formerly the Alex and Ani City Center, which was renamed on Nov. 21, 2019.

640 George Washington Highway Civil, construction management, green 5 Lincoln, R.I. 02865 building, mapping, permitting, structural, 8 (401) 722-7660 surveying, traffic

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

19,000 14

18,223 12

13,769 3

Providence, R.I. 02903

(401) TO 680-7390 WANT JOIN? For more information about in 2 Goatparticipating Island PBN’s TopR.I. Lists, or to make Newport, 02840 additions or corrections, call (617) 854-5000 (401) 680-4884 or write to Shuman@PBN.com.

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

Paul B. Aldinger & Associates Inc. | pba-engr.com Paul B. Aldinger, president and chief engineer

68

66 State Road Westport, Mass. 02790 Pare Corp.

(508) 675-7185

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

17 2019: NL

2019: NL

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

25 America's Cup Ave. Newport, R.I. 02840 (401) 849-1000

14

2019: NL

LIST RESEARCHED BY Cassius Shuman

Newport Marriott | newportmarriott.com Walter Andrews Licensed engineers Non-licensed Omni ProvidenceType Hotel | omnihotels.com/hotels/providence engineers of engineering Burnell Goldman

15

2019: NL

The R.I. Convention Center Banquet seats: 5,500

1,000 600

2019: 17

2019: NL

Maximum banquet seats:

1,200 1,200

25 2019: 25

Dunkin’ Donuts Center Seating capacity: 14,000

28,000 19

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

15

Largest seating capacity:

28,000 3

301 Metro Center Blvd.

Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 736-3440

2019: 14

Four Points by Sheraton Norwood Meeting rooms: 30

1 Goat Island Newport, R.I. 02840 (401) 849-2600

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

24

Most meeting rooms:

60 Rhodes Place Cranston, R.I. 02905 (401) 785-4333

EA Engineering Science & Technology Inc. | eaest.com Ian MacFarlane, CEO and president

13

2019: 17

SEE HOW YOUR COMPANY RANKS AMONG YOUR COMPETITION. Want to be considered for one or more of our Top Lists?

Contact James Bessette at Research@PBN.com for information.

13

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

7

8

2 Lifespan Corp. includes Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, Newport Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children's Hospital and The Miriam Hospital.

3 Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc. rebranded as Bally's Corp. on Nov. 9.

4 Tiffany & Co. was acquired by Moet Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Societe Europeenne, also known as LVMH, on Nov. 25, 2019.

2019: 13

Address Phone

8

2019: 12

2019: 10

1 Massimiliano Chiara replaced Fornaro as chief financial officer on April 6, ■ 2020.

50 | JANUARY 2021 Alberto | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS BOOK OF LISTS | www.pbn.com

10

CLOSER LOOK

Rhodes on the Pawtuxet | rhodesonthepawtuxet.com Maggie Shields, general manager

(ranked by number of local licensed professional engineers)

2020 rank

Tiffany & Co. 4 | tiffany.com Mark J. Erceg, executive vice president and chief financial officer

2019: NL

Dave & Buster's | daveandbusters.com Robert Allard, general manager

ENGINEERING FIRMS (ranked by number of local licensed professional engineers) 12

Blount Fine Foods Corp. | blountfinefoods.com Michael Mistrot

21

1 David M. Dooley will retire in June of 2021.

2 Rhode Island College’s out-of-state tuition represents the Northeast Neighbors’ program that is a reduced out-of-state charge (150% of in-state tuition) for residents of New England and the New York City metropolitan area.

3 Rev. Brian J. Shanley stepped down as president on June 30, 2020. Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard assumed the role July 1, 2020.

WANT TO JOIN? For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 680-4884 or write to Shuman@PBN.com.

2019: 13

2019: NL

4 2019: 4

10 2019:

529 Pleasant St. Attleboro, Mass. 02703 (508) 236-3800

2019: 23

700 900

2019: 9

Sensata Technologies Inc. | sensata.com Paul Vasington, executive vice president and chief financial officer

2019: 17

45,400 26

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

12 2019: 14

2019: 18

801 Greenwich Ave. Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 732-6000

7

Gaming technology producer and services provider

 Rev. Brian J. Shanley stepped down as president on June 30, 2020. Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard assumed the role July 1, 2020.

Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick | crownehotelwarwick.com Lynne Oscarson

2019: 8

Developer of toys and games, branded entertainment

13

9,500 5,500

14,000 1,200

3

LIST RESEARCHED BY Cassius Shuman

$4.8 bil.

1,051

2019: 16

137,000 23

50,500 4

2019: 3

6

$4.7 bil.

1,600

Largest seating capacity Max. banquet seats

1 Sabin St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 458-6000 1 LaSalle Square Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 331-0700

2019: 7

Commercial property insurer of multinational organizations

Meeting space (sq. ft.)

Meeting rooms

Address Phone

The R.I. Convention Center | riconvention.com Larry Lepore, general manager

Dunkin' Donuts Center | dunkindonutscenter.com Larry Lepore, general manager

2019: 6

2019 revenue: $97.9 million

10 Memorial Blvd.

Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 392-1000

1940

Wheaton College | wheatoncollege.edu Dennis M. Hanno, president

14

Financial services

1027 Newport Ave. Pawtucket, R.I. 02862 (401) 431-8697

17

15 2019: 15

3 BankNewport

International Game Technology PLC | igt.com Massimiliano Chiara, executive vice president and chief financial officer 1

11

2019: 22

2019: 13

2019 revenue: $107 million

Company | Website Owner/manager

1

2

2019: 1

2019: 2

Hasbro Inc. | hasbro.com Deborah M. Thomas, executive vice president and chief financial officer

2019: 11

2019: NL

2019: 14

FM Global | fmglobal.com Kevin S. Ingram, executive vice president and chief financial officer

2020 rank

2019: 12

 Rhode Island College’s out-of-state tuition represents the Northeast Neighbors’ program that is a reduced out-of-state charge (150% of in-state tuition) for residents of New England and the New York City metropolitan area.

PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS

CLOSER LOOK Type of business

$256.8 bil.

8,600

$39.4 bil.

4,000

2019: 4

(ranked by meeting space square feet)

MEETING & CONVENTION FACILITIES (ranked by meeting space square feet) 2019 revenue No. of local employees

1 CVS Drive Woonsocket, R.I. 02895 (401) 765-1500 165 Dillabur Ave. North Kingstown, R.I. 02852 (401) 268-2300

2019: 8

1895

Address Phone

CVS Health Corp. | cvshealth.com Eva Boratto, executive vice president and chief financial officer

2

Brown University Year founded: 1764

Company | Website Chief financial officer

General Dynamics Electric Boat | gdeb.com John V. Leonard, chief financial officer and vice president of finance, contracts, strategic planning and applied physical sciences

2019: 1

2019: 2

Year founded: 1834

1964

MEETING & CONVENTION FACILITIES

(ranked by 2019 revenue)

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS (ranked by 2019 revenue)

CLOSER LOOK

2019: 6

2019: 10

Order now at PBN.com/lists/

School | Website President

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Contact your PBN account manager or 401.680.4800 or Advertising@PBN.com www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 31

OPINION EDITORIALS

PBN survey: Businesses have adapted, looking beyond pandemic

EXPANSION PLANS: Gerald Carlson, left, owner of Auto Rust Technicians in Cranston, recently spent $500,000 to expand operations and is considering buying more equipment.

He’s pictured with manufacturing manager Karr Thang.

PBN FILE PHOTO/ RUPERT WHITELEY

When the pandemic will end is anyone’s guess, but most Rhode Island business owners believe the worst is behind them, according to results from PBN’s latest biannual business survey.

The growing confidence is at least partly based on improving business results reported in the summer survey.

Quarterly business growth rebounded this past summer to its highest levels since 2017. Net income also bounced back from the historic lows of the last two quarters, leaving about 57% of respondents expecting an improved economy over the next year. That compares with 42% who felt the same a year ago.

One-quarter of respondents said they’ll be purchasing big-ticket items in the next quarter, up from just 15% a year ago.

And for the first time since 2019, an improving economy again has a majority of businesses expecting to hire in the next quarter.

But is this just wishful thinking coming out of a difficult 2020?

It’s not that business owners don’t have any concerns.

Costs for materials and supplies are up from the previous quarter. And hiring remains a challenge for many.

But Edward M. Mazze, a University of Rhode Island distinguished professor of business administration, says the survey results show that Rhode Island businesses have adjusted to pandemic-related uncertainties.

“It’s about survival of the fittest,” Mr. Mazze said.

It’s a business truism temporarily obscured by Paycheck Protection Program loans that most Rhode Island businesses thankfully haven’t forgotten. n

Don’t crowd out pedestrians on sidewalks Outdoor seating helped save countless restaurants across the state over the past year, including many that didn’t have the space on their properties to accommodate it.

It was a feel-good story to see some restaurant rows blocked off for dining-only weekends last year during the depths of the pandemic.

But when Providence and other communities began easing licensing restrictions in 2020 to allow such creative uses of public spaces, some restaurants naturally began taking over chunks of sidewalks and other spaces during the week too.

That’s led to growing noise complaints and also left pedestrians in some areas to walk through expanded outdoor setups – or into increasingly busy streets to avoid them.

Now Providence is considering allowing some relaxed restrictions to become permanent.

Before doing so, the city’s licensing board must make clear to restaurants and the public what the limits will be and where – and start enforcing them again so pedestrians aren’t inadvertently crowded out. n

Read even MORE business news on PBN.com

POLL CENTRAL EXECUTIVE POLL

Boosting morale Has maintaining workplace morale been a problem for your company during the pandemic?

What initiatives has your company introduced to boost workplace morale? (Select multiple)

Yes: 50%

Increased work flexibility: 67%

No: 50%

Exercise challenges: 33%

PBN.COM POLL

Does your business or workplace have a problem with employees not showing up for work? SEPT. 17-23 No, our problem is finding qualified workers

43%

Other: 33%

Has your company taken steps to boost workplace morale among employees?

Virtual social time: 17%

Yes: 83%

Celebrating milestones: 17%

No: 17%

Our company does not have problems with workplace morale: 17%

Does your company offer mental health services for employees?

Better access to resources: 0%

Yes: 50% No: 50%

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

Yes, especially during the pandemic

38%

No, our issue is getting employees to take time off

9%

Yes, but less so during the pandemic

9%

I’m not sure

0%

Should there be more restrictions on restaurants’ emergency use of sidewalks and other public spaces for outdoor dining?

THIS WEEK’S POLL:

•Y es, there are growing noise and safety concerns for pedestrians • No, the restaurants need all the help they can get • I’m not sure To vote, go to PBN.com and follow the link on the home page

32 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 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

R.I.’s business-event tourism needs boost

BRYAN LAVIN GUEST COLUMN

While leisure travel has rebounded in 2021, Rhode Island’s business and event tourism continues to struggle. This is troubling since municipalities and the hospitality industry depend on the revenue and community benefits from business travel, particularly the meetings and conventions market.

When we think about sustainable tourism driving the economy, building community and protecting the environment in a destination, the business-events sector is a massive contributor in nearly every U.S. city.

Business meetings can generate thousands of hotel stays, fill restaurants in off-peak times, support local businesses and attractions, as well as contribute to the betterment of the community in which they are hosted through collected taxes and community support initiatives.

Providence typically generates $87 million in direct spending as a result of event bookings through its destination marketing organization, the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau. The pandemic has resulted in lost revenue for the capital city, which does not have the same leisure appeal as its coastal counterpart, Newport.

Even with campaigns such as PWCVB’s Meet in RI, which asks local companies to

commit to hosting a future meeting, event or convention in Rhode Island, the city remains in a holding pattern for its first convention center-sized event. It isn’t scheduled to happen until the fall.

It will take years to rebound to pre-pandemic levels, but recently the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the availability of $750 million to support travel and tourism throughout the country. This is a great opportunity for destination marketing organizations to reimagine how they approach tourism and attract business events to their destinations. With $510 million of the total funding designated for marketing, infrastructure and workforce development to rejuvenate all forms of travel, the destination marketing organizations will be able to reestablish their convention and meeting venues and improve their offerings for hybrid and virtual event components.

Community value-based marketing – a shift in destination marketing that allows the stakeholders in a destination, businesses and residents alike, to take part in telling their story and having their values represented in the ways the destination positions itself – is effective in both leisure and business travel. It allows destination marketing

This is a great opportunity for destination marketing organizations.

organizations to become a conduit between the true community sentiment in a location and the experience that visitors will have when they arrive.

A destination marketing organization can explore nearly endless opportunities to make their destination a better place to live, work and visit while simultaneously connecting all communities to the benefits of tourism, not just those specific to hospitality. In addition to these federal dollars, these marketing organizations will be able to fund the marketing needed to align business-event opportunities with shared community values and help shape safe, unforgettable local experiences for business events that will fuel a collective recovery for both the industry and the destination.

While the summer has told us a great story about recovery and has provided a significant sign of hope for the leisure travel segment, the spread of COVID-19 and its variants continue to dampen traveler excitement. The tourism industry still has a long road to recovery. As U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo recently said, “Tourism is local and has local needs.” The needs of the business-event tourism segment are certainly significant; however, the infusion of federal funds appropriately spent will propel cities across the country to a new era in destination management. n Bryan Lavin is an assistant professor of International Travel & Tourism Studies in the College of Hospitality Management at Johnson & Wales University.

Call to ‘tax the rich’ is a return to U.S. tradition GABRIEL ZUCMAN GUEST COLUMN

Demanding tax increases on the rich is back in fashion – both in the corridors of the U.S. House of Representatives and on the red carpet of the Met Gala.

The House Ways and Means Committee outlined plans on Sept. 13 to move the top marginal income rate up a couple of notches to 39.6% and to introduce a 3% surtax on incomes above $5 million. That proposal would fall short of calls to really “tax the rich,” as New York U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s dress demanded at a glitzy New York bash just hours later.

Tax policy is deemed progressive if the chunk of income taken increases with the income of the individual – so wealthy Americans would pay a larger proportion of their income than poorer ones. With a regressive tax policy, lower earners pay a larger percentage of their earnings in tax than wealthier ones. The committee’s plan would roughly put tax progressivity back to where it was just before President Donald Trump signed off on Republican tax cuts in 2017.

That would still be far below the level of progressivity the United States embraced

in the middle of the 20th century – when wealthier individuals paid a much higher share of their income in taxes than the poor.

In 1950, when looking at all federal, state and local taxes, the top 0.01% of earners paid almost 70% of their income in taxes. In the postwar decades, corporate profits – the main source of income for the rich – were subject to an effective corporate tax rate of 50%. Meanwhile, the rich were subject to high tax rates on wages, dividends, interest and income from partnerships.

The progressivity of the U.S. tax system has dramatically declined over the past seven decades. The upshot is that for most income levels, the U.S. tax system now resembles a flat tax that becomes regressive at the very top end, meaning the super-rich pay proportionately less. Today, virtually all income groups pay roughly 28% of their income in taxes – except for the 400 richest Americans, who each own more than $2 billion in wealth today and pay around 25% in taxes.

Working-class and middle-class Americans pay a substantial amount of taxes because of payroll taxes, which are high and

The progressivity of the U.S. tax system has dramatically declined over the past seven decades.

barely affect the rich, and state and local sales taxes, which are regressive – they take a bigger chunk out of a smaller wage than out of a large income. Even households that pay no federal income tax because of low earnings hand over a percentage similar to that of wealthier households because of these other taxes.

The super-rich’s low tax rates of today are in part aided by the collapse of federal corporate taxation. In the 1950s, 5% to 7% of national income came from corporate taxes.

By 2018, that figure had fallen to just 1.5%.

The effective tax rate collapses for billionaires further because they can avoid reporting individual income by instructing their companies not to pay dividends and holding on to their shares without realizing their gains.

The proposal unveiled by House Democrats would increase taxes on millionaires significantly. But it would largely leave billionaires off the hook, despite the explosion of their wealth during the pandemic. Moreambitious proposals in the Senate would tax their unrealized capital gains. This would be a bold addition that would help the United States reconnect with its tradition of tax justice. n Gabriel Zucman is an associate professor of economics at the University of California Berkeley. Distributed by The Associated Press.

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | 33

ONE LAST THING Keep marketing

FOR

most travel and hospitality companies the question about how to effectively market their services during the pandemic has been a giant puzzle. The key is to understand that consumers all have different comfort levels when it comes to making plans for shopping, dining, visiting attractions, events or even taking a weekend gateway. People have not lost their desire to explore the world, they actually long; more than ever, to enjoy the restorative benefits of travel.

These tips can help your company stay focused on attracting and maintaining customers: n Digital audit. Like it or not, technology is dominating

business development and consumer behavior, especially in the travel industry. During good times we are often too busy to review our digital platforms. Could your website benefit from a new design or enhanced functionality? Are your media assets [photos and video] fresh visuals that boldly illustrate your

Evan Smith Discover Newport CEO and president Evan Smith joined Discover Newport in 1990 and was promoted to CEO and president in 2005.

offerings? Are you using blog posts to inspire your customers with ideas for future experiences? Does the content on your digital platforms reflect your current business hours, phone, contact, etc.? Is your marketing database clean and up to date? n E-commerce opportunities. Retailers, especially, should be

taking advantage of setting up an online marketplace. Userfriendly e-commerce programs make this process quite simple.

Do you sell products, gift certificates or attraction tickets?

These, too, can be easily added to your website for online purchasing. n Health and wellness messaging. Public health and safety

strategies should be a top priority. Your customers want to know you are sincerely adhering to all state and local protocols. n Continue outdoor experiences. Travelers will still be search-

ing for more outdoor activities. Create your own seasonal outdoor experience or consider a collaboration with another business and develop an inspirational travel package. n PBN FILE PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

34 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

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36 | OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER CORP. $75M+

J2 CONSTRUCT INC. $25M-$75M

ADCARE RHODE ISLAND INC. $5M-$25M

SIGNAL SOLUTIONS INC. $250K-$5M 2021 PAGE 6

PAGE 23

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2021

CONGRATULATIONS

FASTEST-GROWING &

NNOVATIVE ICOMPANIES There are opportunities ahead, even in disruption, and CBIZ & MHM is here to help.

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2 | SEPTEMBER 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES | www.pbn.com

2021 FROM THE EDITOR

Meeting community needs in a crisis ONE OF THE BIGGEST differences between the Great Recession and the sudden economic downturn created by the pandemic is the uneven effects the latter has had on the local economy.

While some local industries continue to struggle, COVID-19 has created opportunities for others, including many of this year’s fastest growing and most innovative companies.

Demand for health care, construction, manufacturing and technology products and services soared in 2020. That left this year’s leaders in revenue growth perfectly positioned to take advantage – if they could effectively manage their own COVID-related challenges.

Manufacturer Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp., which has offices in Lincoln, saw the biggest revenue jump from 2018 to 2020 in the $75 million and above category, increasing 49%, to $261.7 million. The machinery it provides customers for flexible packaging saw increased demand, including for medical supplies and personal protective equipment.

North Kingstown-based AdCare Rhode Island Inc.’s drug treatment services became a critical part of the community’s response to the tragic rise in overdoses. Its success in expanding telehealth rehabilitation services and online counseling helped boost revenue last year by 65% compared with 2018, making it the leader in the $5 million to $25 million category.

Middletown’s J2 Construct Inc. rode the building boom to dramatic revenue growth of CONTENTS

FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES

$75 MILLION AND ABOVE

1. Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp. .................6 2. Blount Fine Foods Corp. ..............................8 3. FM Global.....................................................8 4. Ocean State Job Lot................................... 10 5. BankNewport ............................................ 10 $25 MILLION TO $75 MILLION

1. J2 Construct Inc. ..........................................12 2. Centreville Bank .........................................13 3. Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty ...................................13 4. Purvis Systems Inc. .................................... 14 5. ParsonsKellogg LLC ................................... 14

$5 MILLION TO $25 MILLION

1. Adcare Rhode Island Inc. ........................... 16 2. Gerbs Allergy Friendly Foods .....................17 3. Automated Business Solutions Inc............17 4. Available Staffing Network LLC ................17 $250,000 TO $5 MILLION

1. Signal Solutions Inc. ................................... 19 2. Arctura Inc. ................................................20 3. Feast & Fettle Inc. .....................................20 4. Luna Pharmaceuticals Inc. .........................21 5. E2SOL LLC ...................................................21

1,567%, to $25 million.

Warwick’s Signal Solutions Inc. initially struggled with the sudden loss of business last year but quickly rebounded to help serve the huge shift to remote work. It ended 2020 with a 910% jump in revenue from 2018.

Read on for examples of other companies that stepped up to challenges amid a crisis to help fill critical community needs.

We’d especially like to thank returning presenting sponsor CBIZ & MHM, and partner sponsors Cox Business and Gallo|Thomas Insurance.

Michael Mello Editor

INNOVATIVE COMPANIES

ARCHITECTURE, CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING:

Gilbane Building Co. ............................................... 23

EDUCATION: Integrative Healthcare Solutions Inc. ...23 ENERGY & THE ENVIRONMENT: Brown University ..... 24 HEALTH & WELLNESS: First Circle Inc. ........................ 24 INNOVATIVE COLLABORATION: 401 Tech Bridge ...... 25 IT SERVICES: My MOC Inc. .......................................... 25 MANUFACTURING: Lumetta Inc. ................................26 NONPROFIT: Children’s Friend and Service ...............26 TECHNOLOGY: Healthcentric Advisors Inc. ............... 27

We’re proud to be named one of the

2021 Fastest Growing Companies Congratulations to all honorees!

www.pbn.com | FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021 | 3

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Congratulations to the 2021 Fastest-Growing & Innovative Companies honorees! On the 10th anniversary of this event, we reflect back on the many local businesses that have been honored and the lessons learned from their stories of growth and innovation. This year’s honorees have demonstrated unprecedented resiliency and flexibility given the challenges presented throughout 2020 and 2021, and we are thrilled to recognize them.

Accounting Tax Advisory

From tax planning to accounting and transaction advisory services, CBIZ & MHM has the expertise to help you achieve your goals.

PARTNER SPONSORS

Cox Business congratulates all the incredible businesses being honored as PBN’s 2021 Fastest Growing and Innovative Companies. We applaud your ability to flourish during another challenging year. As your local partner, Cox Business looks forward to supporting your business and we wish you continued success.

Gallo|Thomas is proud to sponsor the 2021 Fastest Growing & Innovative Companies Awards. We congratulate the outstanding group of 2021 honorees and salute your unique attributes and business acumen. Gallo|Thomas is passionate about serving our clients, our employees, and our local community – and delighted to share this special recognition with the companies and individuals honored this year.

4 | SEPTEMBER 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES | www.pbn.com

Congratulations to the honorees of the PBN Fastest Growing & Innovative Companies Awards.

www.CoxBusiness.com

www.pbn.com | FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021 9/2/21 | 54:46 PM

921_CB_PBN_FastestGrowingCompanies.indd 1

2021 | $75M AND ABOVE

Keeping package makers moving

BY SUSAN SHALHOUB | Contributing Writer

‘We will … continue to collaborate with partners to find ways to improve sustainability and recyclability of packaging.’

ANDREW WHEELER, Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp. president

SNEAK PEEK: Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp. Senior Vice President Javeed Buch, standing, meets with staffers at the firm’s North American headquarters in Lincoln. On the screen is an artist’s rendering of the company’s future offices that are soon to be under construction.

1

PBN PHOTO/DAVE HANSEN

WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER CORP. – a German company with offices in Lincoln – manufactures machinery that companies use to produce flexible packaging. This packaging includes plastic film, printing presses, and paper and plastic sack producing lines. Most of its customers produce packaging for food and medical products.

There are several factors that have converged to create growth at Windmoeller over the past few years, says company President Andrew Wheeler.

An increase in demand in the flexible-packaging industry is one influence, he said, with the industry growing about 2% a year since it was developed just after World War II. Many Windmoeller customers are upgrading and adding new equipment as a result. At the end of 2019, flexible-packaging sales totaled more than $33 billion, Wheeler said.

“To add to that, our headquarters in Germany has an R&D [research and development] department that is constantly working on technologies to improve efficiency, productivity and sustainability during production on our machinery,” Wheeler said. “Some new automation systems can significantly reduce the amount of energy used, as well as scrap accumulated during set up and production,” details that can make a huge difference, he said.

Wheeler said the company has introduced a comprehensive data collection, analysis and optimization tool as well, which has been popular.

Even outside of increased demand, Wheeler said, customers are periodically replacing old and outdated equipment,

which helps increase Windmoeller’s bottom line.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company was in an interesting position.

While Windmoeller operated during the crisis, its customers’ products were more in demand due to their nature.

Most food and medical products are packaged in thin-gauge flexible plastic, Wheeler notes, to extend their shelf life and protect them from contamination and spoiling.

“This was particularly important when people were being asked to go to the store just once every few weeks,” he said.

Medical supplies and personal protective equipment need to be packaged in plastic to prevent contamination when they are being transported.

With this increased demand, there was a heightened importance that customers’ machinery be operational as soon as possible. Windmoeller touts some notable achievements during the COVID-19 pandemic, including completion of all installations on time; successfully strategizing ways to help its customers stay on track with production; and keeping technicians safe and healthy with innovative methods.

With communication the tie that binds it all together, about 70% of the Lincoln

Andrew Wheeler, president 2020 Revenue: $261.7 million 2018 Revenue: $175.4 million Revenue growth: 49.1% CEO (or equivalent):

employees worked remotely during the pandemic, Wheeler said, to reduce the chances of infection.

“We created protocols and workstations at customer plants to eliminate to as great of an extent as possible any interactions,” he said.

This included cordoning off installation areas so that only workers involved with the installation could enter. Mobile offices with built-in workspaces and bathrooms were implemented as well, to reduce potential contamination and keep installation teams at full capacity.

When COVID-19 first started spreading, Wheeler said, Windmoeller began thinking ahead.

“We crunched numbers and ordered much larger quantities of spare parts than we normally would have on hand at any one time. This was to get ahead of any sort of shipping delays,” he said.

“We pride ourselves on getting about 70% of spare parts from our Lincoln-based warehouse to our U.S. and Canadian customers right away so they can have them in 24 hours. The ability to do this was absolutely crucial and our plan ended up being a good one.”

The capital equipment business is one in which selling a couple more or less machines than the year before can make all the difference, Wheeler said. Continued growth in flexible packaging means continued industry growth.

Windmoeller is committed to improving technologies that consume as little energy and material as possible.

“We will also continue to collaborate with partners to find ways to improve sustainability and recyclability of packaging,” Wheeler said. n

6 | SEPTEMBER 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES | www.pbn.com

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12/16/14 11:33 AM www.pbn.com | FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021 | 7

2021 | $75M AND ABOVE

Cold soups heat up profits

Risk model attracting clients

BY ELIZABETH GRAHAM | Contributing Writer

BY KIMBERLEY EDGAR | Contributing Writer

AFTER GROCERY RETAILERS nationwide scaled back on hot deli items in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Blount Fine Foods Corp. noticed an uptick in demand for cold, ready-to-heat soups.

“We reduced our hot to-go [soup] and increased cold soup because retailers wanted anything they could put on the shelves,” said Todd Blount, CEO and president.

Soup sales, and the Fall River-based company, continued to grow. Blount’s annual revenue increased 29% over a three-year period, from $360.8 million in 2018 to $465.3 million in 2020.

The numbers keep climbing partly because Blount is a leader in the trend of grocery retailers’ use of store perimeters to display ready-to-eat items, Todd Blount says.

Growth has continued in 2021, with Blount’s Panera Bread-branded refrigerated soup selling well, and upcoming partnerships with online food marketplaces HelloFresh and Goldbelly expected.

More soup varieties are also in the works. n

ITS DISTINCTIVE APPROACH to insuring large commercial properties has won FM Global a faithful following among the Fortune 1000 and multinational who’s who of companies.

Based in Johnston, FM Global’s business model focuses on preventing loss and ensuring business continuity through risk engineering instead of risk transfer.

Most clients have been with the 185-yearold company for decades. Its unique model continues attracting newcomers, which has boosted revenue growth. And as clients’ businesses grow and expand, so does FM Global.

While this year’s financial results are still in the making, the mutual insurance company began 2021 looking to focus on fundamentals, build on what it’s learned and enhance clients’ digital experience.

“2020 really proved a 185-year-old company can still be timeless – and timely,” said Steve Zenofsky, assistant vice president, public relations. “Not only were we resilient, but also we were able to help other companies become more resilient.” n

3

2

CEO (or equivalent):

Todd Blount, CEO and president 2020 Revenue:

$465.3 million 2018 Revenue:

$360.8 million Revenue growth:

29%

CEO (or equivalent):

Thomas Lawson, chairman and CEO 2020 Revenue:

$6.8 billion

2018 Revenue:

$5.5 billion

Revenue growth:

23.1%

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2021 | $75M AND ABOVE

Backyard buys boost profits

BY KIMBERLEY EDGAR | Contributing Writer

4

WHEN COVID-19 drove people home in 2020, many looked to escape the four walls of their houses by going outside.

Joining the Ocean State Job Lot Insider Club allowed people to take advantage of membership deals and discounts on patio furniture, fire pits, lawn games, pools and supplies, and gardening equipment.

“People were investing in their backyards,” said Paul Conforti, chief marketing officer. “They trust us – they know they can count on us for value.”

Deals and savings on personal protective equipment to stay safe, food to eat and air conditioners to keep cool at home also helped drive an increase in revenue.

“Our sustainability resulted from our commitment to safety before profit,” Conforti said.

North Kingstown-based Job Lot not only expanded its footprint geographically, but on Aug. 31 it joined the e-commerce marketplace with a catalogue of items that could be purchased online. n

CEO (or equivalent):

Marc Perlman, principal owner and CEO 2020 Revenue:

$810 million

2018 Revenue:

$685 million

Revenue growth:

18.2%

Brand awareness growing

BY SUSAN SHALHOUB | Contributing Writer

5

BANKNEWPORT, headquartered in Middletown and with 17 branches statewide, credits revenue growth of the bank and subsidiary OceanPoint Insurance to several factors, including strategic recruitment and brand awareness in new markets.

With just a few months left in 2021, all bank business lines continue to perform well, says BankNewport CEO and President Jack Murphy. “Record deposits and loan originations continue,” he said. “Our brand awareness efforts are growing and effective, with more new customers. With new services and technologies, there are more products a customer can have with us.”

On the insurance side, agency acquisitions and acquisitions in marine lending have been a recipe for success.

“OceanPoint Marine Lending’s acquisitions of Offshore Financial Corp. and JustBoatLoans, along with the collective talents they bring, have represented an even stronger marine financing experience for our clients, contributing to overall growth,” said Gregory Derderian, BankNewport executive vice president, chief financial officer and director of strategic analysis. n

10 | SEPTEMBER 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES | www.pbn.com

CEO (or equivalent):

Jack Murphy, CEO and President 2020 Revenue:

$101 million

2018 Revenue:

$85.6 million

Revenue growth:

17.9%

FASTEST GROWING GROWING PRIVATE FASTEST PRIVATE COMPANIES, COMPANIES,$75 $75MILLION MILLIONAND ANDABOVE ABOVE (ranked by revenue-growth percentage) (ranked by revenue-growth percentage)

CLOSER LOOK

Company | Website CEO/President

Address Phone

Revenue 2020 Revenue 2018 FY ends

Growth percentage Revenue growth

Type of business

1

Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp. | whcorp.com Andrew Wheeler, president

23 New England Way Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 333-2770

$261.7 mil. $175.4 mil.

December

49.1% $86.2 mil.

Distributor of machinery, spare parts and service for packaging industries

Top five companies from 2020:

2

Blount Fine Foods Corp. | blountfinefoods.com Todd Blount

630 Currant Road Fall River, Mass. 02720 (774) 888-1300

$465.3 mil. $360.8 mil.

September

29% $104.6 mil.

Manufacturing

1

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

$6.8 bil. $5.5 bil.

December

23.1% $1.3 bil.

2021 rank

3 4 5

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

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

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

BankNewport | banknewport.com Jack Murphy

184 John Clarke Road Middletown, R.I. 02842 (401) 846-3400

$810 mil. $685 mil.

December

Commercial property insurer of multinational organizations

Shawmut Design and Construction

2

Arden Building Cos. LLC 18.2% $125 mil.

Retail

3

Navigant Credit Union $101 mil. $85.6 mil.

December

17.9% $15.4 mil.

Financial institution

4

BayCoast Bank

6

Sturdy Memorial Hospital | sturdymemorial.org Joseph Casey, CEO

211 Park St. Attleboro, Mass. 02703 (508) 222-5200

$234.6 mil. $202.4 mil.

September

15.9% $32.2 mil.

Hospital

7

Navigant Credit Union | navigantcu.org Gary E. Furtado

1005 Douglas Pike Smithfield, R.I. 02917 (401) 233-4700

$107.7 mil. $94.2 mil.

December

14.4% $13.6 mil.

Credit union

8

Woodard & Curran | woodardcurran.com Alyson Watson, CEO

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

$253.9 mil. $224.2 mil.

December

13.2% $29.7 mil.

Engineering, science and operations

9

Southcoast Health System 1 | southcoast.org Keith Hovan

363 Highland Ave. Fall River, Mass. 02720 (508) 679-3131

$947.5 mil. $849.2 mil.

September

11.6% $98.3 mil.

Health care system

Gilbane Inc. | gilbaneco.com Thomas F. Gilbane Jr., chairman

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

$6.5 bil. $5.8 bil.

December

11.5% $673 mil.

Construction

Butler Hospital 2 | butler.org Mary Marran, president and chief operating officer

345 Blackstone Blvd.

Providence, R.I. 02906 (401) 455-6200

$117.7 mil. $106.2 mil.

September

10.8% $11.5 mil.

Nonprofit psychiatric and substance-abuse hospital for adults, adolescents, children and seniors

12

Lifespan Corp. | lifespan.org Dr. Timothy J. Babineau

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

$2.5 bil. $2.3 bil.

September

10% $229.7 mil.

Health care

13

Pawtucket Credit Union | pcu.org Brian Azar

1200 Central Ave. Pawtucket, R.I. 02861 (401) 722-2212

$92.1 mil. $83.8 mil.

December

9.9% $8.3 mil.

Financial institution

14

Bristol County Savings Bank | bristolcountysavings.com Patrick Murray

35 Broadway Taunton, Mass. 02780 (508) 824-6626

$115.4 mil. $107.7 mil.

October

7.1% $7.7 mil.

Financial institution

15

Morton Hospital, A Steward Family Hospital | mortonhospital.org Deborah Bitsoli, president

88 Washington St. Taunton, Mass. 02780 (508) 828-7000

$124.1 mil. $119.4 mil.

September

3.9% $4.7 mil.

Hospital

16

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

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

$20.9 bil. $20.4 bil.

December

2.5% $500 mil.

Financial institution

17

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

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

$172 mil. $168 mil.

December

2.4% $4 mil.

Construction, design and engineering firm

10 11

5

BankNewport

1 Southcoast Health System includes Charlton Memorial Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital, Tobey Hospital, Southcoast Physicians Group and Visiting Nurses Association.

2 Part of Care New England Health System, which includes Butler Hospital, Kent County Memorial Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital and Visiting Nurses Association of

Care New England.

www.pbn.com | FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021 | 11

2021 | $25M - $75M

Building relationships key to success

BY CAITLIN HOWLE | Contributing Writer

‘We value women in the construction industry and love what they bring to a project team.’

JEFF LIPSHIRES, J2 Construct Inc. president

GETTING TO THE POINT: Jeff Lipshires, center, president of J2 Construct Inc., discusses a construction project with his team, from left, John DeRuosi, chief financial officer; Leanne DePaul, director of marketing and estate management; Sam Hardy, operations manager; and Marc Nouman, chief estimator.

1

PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

J2 CONSTRUCT INC., founded in 2018, is a construction firm that focuses on residential, commercial, luxury and institutional construction, as well as property management for its clients.

The firm, located in Middletown, has grown to have more than $25 million in revenue in 2020, hitting this impressive milestone only 2½ years after its initial opening. The company currently services all of Rhode Island, as well as southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape and Islands area.

Its founding came after President Jeff Lipshires, who had been working for a local construction firm as vice president for 15 years, teamed up with business partner Sean Burke to establish J2 Construct. According to the firm, within one year the company had completed $1.5 million in sales and within 1½ years it had acquired Advanced Building Concepts, a construction company also located in Middletown, in early 2020. Burke died shortly after the acquisition. But Lipshires and the team at J2 Construct persevered.

J2 Construct credits its success to its relationships, especially Lipshires and his work over the past 20 years in the industry. As for financial success, Lipshires said, “There is no doubt the boom in the luxury residential construction market has contributed to our growth. However, the continued development of our collabo-

rative and experienced team has made us the go-to that a homeowner is looking for – a partner in their project – as well as the commercial client requiring experience and expertise in delivering challenging programs within their time and budget constraints.”

As for the COVID-19 pandemic, Lipshires said J2 Construct, like many others, has faced difficulties in labor shortage, material delays and the volatile cost environment of those materials. Still, the company has thrived, even as the challenges to obtain materials and keep up with the demand for workers have continued.

As for its biggest projects, J2 Construct has completed a 40,000-square-foot technology center in Warren that Lipshires described as “structurally challenging.”

The company is currently in the process of converting a school in Newport to 34 apartments. J2 Construct’s residential division has included luxury residences ranging from $1 million to $12 million.

J2 Construct is also innovating in the construction industry, by holding a company value of gender equality. With construction as a typically male-dominated field, J2 Construct features women running the

administrative side of the business, with the company also having female project managers and leads, and a goal of continuing to bring more women onto the team.

“We value women in the construction industry and love what they bring to a project team,” Lipshires said.

Lipshires estimated the company has 70 years of combined experience on its team.

“We aren’t your mom-and-pop shop.

We are highly professional with multiple experienced project managers, superintendents and foremen,” Lipshires said.

“We have a tremendous amount of expertise in pre-construction, budget and scope development, and work closely with architecture, engineering and other specialty consultants in developing the most efficient approach to each and every construction project. But, most importantly, we are absolutely the most transparent construction firm, and our goal is to earn the highest level of trust and confidence with our clients.”

Work is not slowing down either.

“We continue on our consistent growth trajectory again due to the high volume of work we’ve completed, the satisfaction of our clients and ultimately the quality projects we are delivering,” Lipshires said.

“We are very bullish on our future and invested heavily in our infrastructure for accounting and project management … as well as the continued development and training of our dedicated staff.” n

Jeff Lipshires, president 2020 Revenue: $25 million 2018 Revenue: $1.5 million Revenue growth: 1,567.5% CEO (or equivalent):

12 | SEPTEMBER 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES | www.pbn.com

2021

$25M - $75M |

Bank capitalization crucial

Firm’s fast start not slowing

BY MARY LHOWE | Contributing Writer

BY ELIZABETH GRAHAM | Contributing Writer

OFFICIALS AT Centreville Bank in West Warwick did not see the COVID-19 pandemic coming.

But, continuous good planning, investment in the institution and strong capitalization placed the bank in a position to withstand it, and even to grow.

“We are very well-capitalized, and we have invested a lot in our people and our systems over the past three to five years,” said Harold M. Horvat, chairman, CEO and president.

The bank’s recent growth can be attributed to a smart acquisition and to carefully managed organic growth, Horvat said.

In May 2020, Centreville acquired Putnam Bank, with eight branches in eastern Connecticut. That move raised the bank’s assets to $1.8 billion from the previous $1.1 billion, Horvat said.

Business has continued to be strong in commercial and residential lending and retail banking. Commercial banking has grown by 30% in each of the past three years, Horvat said, and retail banking has been buoyed by the large amounts of federal pandemic aid money moving through the country in the past year. n

MOTT & CHACE SOTHEBY’S International Realty is still gaining speed after a fast start 8½ years ago. The Charlestown-based company grew its annual revenue by 50.4% in three years, jumping from $16.7 million in 2018 to $25.1 million in 2020. Halfway through 2021, the company was 82% above its closed-sales volume year over year, with revenue up 100% over the same time frame, said Jeni Pardo de Zela, chief marketing officer.

As the real estate market boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, agents showed properties virtually with the help of a 3D camera.

“No one anticipated a global pandemic would result in a once-in-a-generation real estate market,” said Judy Chace, broker and co-owner at Mott & Chace.

Now, as the company opens a seventh office in Westport and sets its sights on the southern portions of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, its roughly 150 agents will soon benefit from a new technology suite rolled out during the pandemic. n

2

CEO (or equivalent):

Harold M. Horvat, chairman, CEO and president 2020 Revenue:

$54.5 million

2018 Revenue:

$34.6 million

Revenue growth:

57.6%

3

CEO (or equivalent):

Raymond Mott and Judith Chace, brokers and co-owners 2020 Revenue:

$25.1 million

2018 Revenue:

$16.7 million

Revenue growth:

50.4%

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www.pbn.com | FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021 | 13

2021 | $25M - $75M

Always working to get better

E-commerce fuels growth

BY ELIZABETH GRAHAM | Contributing Writer

BY JAIME LOWE | Contributing Writer

WITH LONG-STANDING contracts in place with New York City and the National Institutes of Health, technology solutions company Purvis Systems Inc. recorded a 38.8% growth rate from 2018 to 2020 by expanding its work in the public safety arena and with the U.S. Navy.

The Middletown-based company saw its annual revenue balloon from $21.4 million in 2018 to $29.7 million in 2020, a jump that CEO Joseph Drago attributes to constant polishing of services and a growth mindset.

“Over the last three to four years, we have focused heavily on company and process improvements to position ourselves for future growth,” Drago said.

The company has implemented the Purvis Fire Station Alerting System in California, the Carolinas and Massachusetts, and a system is in the works for the Ocean State.

Fortunate to have sustained minimal impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, Purvis is planning to launch new products this year to enhance its fire station alerting system, Drago said. n

PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS company ParsonsKellogg LLC, which features high-end brands, is based in East Providence. But its scope is hardly local as one of the largest corporate distributors for Yeti Holdings Inc., Peter Millar LLC, Nike Inc., Adidas AG, Under Armour Inc. and others.

ParsonsKellogg says its 35.5% revenue growth from 2018 to 2020 is due to a combination of factors, including increasing its e-commerce business across its corporate, team and events channels.

“We have access to the best sporting goods and lifestyle brands,” said founder and President Thomas Kellogg III. “We have all the items decorated in house, a turn-key model and a creative team in house, as well as providing items for corporations.”

To maintain its momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company did residential mailings, worked closely with companies and sold personal protective equipment.

“This year, we’re switching our model.

We have three [e-commerce] sites and that’s where we’re looking to the future,” Kellogg said. “We see 2021 as a little bit of [an] investment year for the people, equipment and technology to grow these three sites.” n

4

CEO (or equivalent):

Joseph Drago

2020 Revenue:

$29.7 million

2018 Revenue:

$21.4 million

Revenue growth:

38.8%

5

CEO (or equivalent):

Thomas Kellogg III, president 2020 Revenue:

$67.5 million

2018 Revenue:

$49.8 million

Revenue growth:

35.5%

Proud to be named one of the

2021 fastest growing companies EQUAL HOUSING LENDER

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9/14/21 11:49 AM

FASTEST GROWING PRIVATE COMPANIES, COMPANIES,$25 $25MILLION MILLIONTOTO$75 $75MILLION MILLION (ranked (rankedbybyrevenue-growth revenue-growthpercentage) percentage) Company | Website CEO/President

Address Phone

Revenue 2020 Revenue 2018 FY ends

Growth percentage Revenue growth

Type of business

1

J2 Construct Inc. | j2construct.com Jeff Lipshires, president

55 John Clarke Road Middletown, R.I. 02842 (888) 301-0076

$25 mil. $1.5 mil.

December

1,567.5% $23.5 mil.

Construction management and general contracting

2

Centreville Bank | centrevillebank.com Harold M. Horvat, chairman, CEO and president

1218 Main St. West Warwick, R.I. 02893 (401) 827-9100

$54.5 mil. $34.6 mil.

December

57.6% $19.9 mil.

Mutual savings bank

3

Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty | mottandchace.com Raymond Mott and Judith Chace, brokers/coowners

2021 rank

CLOSER LOOK

Top five companies from 2020:

1

Pariseault Builders Inc.

2 5280 Post Road Charlestown, R.I. 02813 (401) 364-6700

$25.1 mil. $16.7 mil.

December

50.4% $8.4 mil.

Residential real estate brokerage

Aqueduct Technologies Inc.

3 4

5

Purvis Systems Inc. | purvis.com Joseph Drago, CEO

ParsonsKellogg LLC | parsonskellogg.com Thomas Kellogg III, president

88 Silva Lane Middletown, R.I. 02842 (401) 849-4750

2290 Pawtucket Ave. East Providence, R.I. 02914 (401) 438-0650

$29.7 mil. $21.4 mil.

April

$67.5 mil. $49.8 mil.

December

38.8% $8.3 mil.

35.5% $17.7 mil.

Information technology systems provider in the defense and public safety industries

Sports marketing and premium cobranded merchandise

6

John Matouk & Co. | matouk.com George Matouk Jr., CEO

925 Airport Road Fall River, Mass. 02720 (508) 997-3444

$49 mil. $37.9 mil.

December

29.2% $11.1 mil.

Manufacturer of fine bed and bath linens

7

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

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

$48.7 mil. $38.8 mil.

December

25.6% $9.9 mil.

Engineering firm providing water, wastewater and civil infrastructure services

8

Comprehensive Community Action Program | comcap.org Joanne McGunagle

311 Doric Ave. Cranston, R.I. 02910 (401) 467-9610

$35 mil. $27.9 mil.

June

25.4% $7.1 mil.

Social-services, health care, nonprofit

9

Family Service Association | frfsa.org Sharon Ford, CEO; Carol Nagle, president

101 Rock St. Fall River, Mass. 02720 (508) 677-3822

$30.4 mil. $24.5 mil.

June

24% $5.9 mil.

Social-service agency providing an integrated system of services for children, adults and the elderly

PACE Organization of Rhode Island | pace-ri.org Joan Kwiatkowski, CEO

225 Chapman St. Providence, R.I. 02905 (401) 490-6566

$29.6 mil. $24.8 mil.

June

19.4% $4.8 mil.

Assists and cares for older adults with significant health needs

Altus Dental Insurance Co. | altusdental.com Joseph Perroni, CEO

10 Charles St. Providence, R.I. 02904 877.223.0577

$69.3 mil. $61.8 mil.

December

12.1% $7.5 mil.

Dental insurance

12

E.W. Burman Inc. | ewburman.com Edward Burman, president

33 Vermont Ave. Warwick, R.I. 02888 (401) 738-5400

$28 mil. $25 mil.

December

12% $3 mil.

Construction manager and general contractor

13

Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co. Ltd. 1 | kahnlitwin.com Alan H. Litwin, managing director

951 North Main St. Providence, R.I. 02904 (401) 274-2001

$55.4 mil. $49.5 mil.

December

11.9% $5.9 mil.

Certified personal accountants and business advisory firm

14

Lafrance Hospitality | lafrancehospitality.com Richard Lafrance

41 Old Bedford Road Westport, Mass. 02790 (508) 678-7888

$65.7 mil. $62.6 mil.

December

5% $3.1 mil.

Catering, event venues, hospitality, hotels

10

11

Altus Dental Insurance Co.

4

PACE Organization of Rhode Island

5

Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co. Ltd.

1 Also known as KLR.

www.pbn.com | FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021 | 15

2021 | $5M - $25M

Online options keep AdCare accessible

BY HUGH MINOR | Contributing Writer

‘More people should be educated on how to handle an overdose emergency.’

FRED A. TRAPASSI JR., AdCare Rhode Island Inc. CEO

1

TABLE TALK: AdCare Rhode Island Inc. CEO Fred A. Trapassi Jr., left, meets with staff members at AdCare’s North Kingstown facility.

With Trapassi are, from left, Dr. Michael Coburn, medical director; Sarah Horgan, chief operating officer; and Courtney Stafford, director of clinical process improvement.

PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

IN 2020, OVERDOSE DEATHS in Rhode Island increased by more than 20%.

One organization that has been uniquely positioned to respond to this crisis is AdCare Rhode Island Inc., a drug treatment center in North Kingstown.

Since 1975, the institution has been addressing alcoholism and addiction through programs, including detoxification, crisis stabilization, residential treatment and comprehensive outpatient services.

In 2018, AdCare was purchased by American Addiction Centers, joining a national network of treatment providers.

Since then, AdCare has grown its annual revenue from $6.5 million in 2018 to $10.7 million in 2020.

The demand for services grew drastically during the COVID-19 pandemic as many community-based services such as Narcotics Anonymous moved to limited virtual platforms and saw a steep drop in attendance. Subsequently, the number of overdoses in the area skyrocketed.

“The stressors and anxiety over the last 18 months have caused an increase in substance use that we’re seeing in the community,” AdCare CEO Fred A. Trapassi Jr. said.

As a response to the pandemic, AdCare expanded both its telehealth rehabilitation services and virtual support

meetings.

“We don’t want anything to get in the way of our patients continuing on their path of recovery,” Trapassi said.

Patients can participate in online substance use counseling right in their home, receiving support and treatment to keep their recovery on track.

For many participants, telehealth treatment works even better than in person because it eliminates transportation time and costs, the need to take paid time off from work, and child care or elder care arrangements. It also reduces unnecessary exposure to illnesses such as COVID-19 for both the patient and caregiver.

Patients will partake in confidential virtual sessions with a licensed counselor following the strict standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

Virtual support meetings are offered several days a week in the traditional 12-step style, providing a safe space for attendees to connect with one another and help each other through challenging

times.

Monthly sessions are also held to educate family members about addiction so that they can understand the issue and figure out the best way to assist their loved ones. AdCare’s approach allows family members to participate to increase the chances of a successful recovery and to receive counseling and support for themselves.

Recognizing the need to engage the broader community in addressing the staggering increase of deaths caused by overdose, AdCare began hosting free virtual sessions for businesses to train their staff on how to administer Narcan, a potentially lifesaving medication used to treat an opioid overdose.

“The number of overdose deaths last year really [highlights] the hardships so many people faced nationwide, as well as here in Rhode Island,” Trapassi said.

“Because of this, more people should be educated on how to handle an overdose emergency, and partnering with our local businesses is a great way to do that.”

As it looks to the future, AdCare will be expanding its work in medication-assisted treatment and increasing the number of beds available to those in greatest need. It will also be recognizing veterans lost to addiction with a walkway called the “Walk of Peace and Hope” funded by Gold Star family members. n

Fred A. Trapassi Jr. 2020 Revenue: $10.7 million 2018 Revenue: $6.5 million Revenue growth: 65.2% CEO (or equivalent):

16 | SEPTEMBER 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES | www.pbn.com

2021

$5M - $25M |

Don’t worry, eat happy

Keeping clients connected

BY CAITLIN HOWLE | Contributing Writer

BY NANCY KIRSCH | Contributing Writer

GERBS ALLERGY FRIENDLY FOODS provides grocery items free of major allergens so that its customers can eat their favorite foods without worry.

While Gerbs started its business in 2003, Sean Conte, chief marketing officer, noticed that the products it couldn’t keep in stock were those that catered toward removing major allergens. With that observation, he dove into research and took a major risk to reorient the company’s products, which are now a staple in many households with individuals who have food allergies.

“Our driving factor is servicing this community; it gives us passion to help others,” Conte said. “We’re affecting others’ lives, kids’ lives.”

Gerbs is helping bring back a love of food by giving people who have missed out on their favorites the opportunity to have them again, and for some individuals to have for the first time.

The Johnston-based company is constantly expanding its selection and products, which can be found at mygerbs.com. n

DEEMED AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS during the COVID-19 pandemic, Warwick-based office technology solutions and managed services provider Automated Business Solutions Inc. “assisted many clients with work-from-home setups,” said President Michael Ardry. “Companies with virtual or hybrid work required our IT [information technology] services, printers and copiers.

That sustained us through the early pandemic months.”

Today, Ardry said, “Our largest challenge is supply chain delays in chips and sensors needed for our equipment, so we’re staying ahead of the curve by placing larger orders and putting extra inventory in storage.”

Ardry said the company’s $16.2 million revenue in 2020 represents a 23% increase compared with revenue in 2018. That growth, he says, is largely based on the 2020 acquisition of Expert Laser Services in Southbridge, Mass.

Revenues are also trending upward due to the company’s “phenomenal sales and service team,” Ardry said. “Our … customer service and attention to detail can’t be beat.”

Automated Business Solutions has seven locations, but future expansion plans are under consideration. n

2

3

CEO (or equivalent):

Galen Conte, co-owner and CEO 2020 Revenue:

$6.5 million

2018 Revenue:

$4.4 million

Revenue growth:

49.1%

Fulfilling hiring needs

CEO (or equivalent):

Michael Ardry, president 2020 Revenue:

$16.2 million

2018 Revenue:

$13.2 million

Revenue growth:

23%

®

BY NANCY KIRSCH | Contributing Writer

4

“STAFFING IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT, but once the pandemic hit, staffing became more challenging than ever, as many employees stayed home and collected expanded unemployment benefits,” said Danilo Reyes, CEO and president of Available Staffing Network LLC. “With turnover affecting Rhode Island employers, our commitment to be available 24/7 for our clients contributes to our success.”

The company manages employee recruiting, interviewing, evaluating and onboarding processes for its light industrial and manufacturing clients, from Fortune 500s to mom-and-pop companies. With offices in Providence and North Kingstown, the company is seeking a third location in Pawtucket, and anticipates expanding into Massachusetts.

“Companies count on us to provide staffing, with employers telling us, ‘Permanent staff have disappeared from the workplace,’ ” Reyes said.

Reyes attributes the company’s success to his team’s hard work and his family’s support. n

CEO (or equivalent):

Danilo Reyes, CEO and president 2020 Revenue:

RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN - BUILD

EVC INFRASTRUCTURE

INNOVATIONS

$6 million

2018 Revenue:

$5.9 million

Revenue growth:

1.7%

E2SOL specializes in developing intelligent net zero and plus energy building infrastructures designed to enhance the property value of all customers

WWW.E2SOL.COM / 401-489-2273 / INFO@E2SOL.COM

www.pbn.com | FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021 | 17

FASTEST GROWING GROWING PRIVATE FASTEST PRIVATE COMPANIES, COMPANIES,$5$5MILLION MILLIONTOTO$25 $25MILLION MILLION (ranked by revenue-growth percentage) (ranked by revenue-growth percentage) 2021 rank

1

Company | Website CEO/President

Address Phone

1950 Tower Hill Road North Kingstown, R.I. 02852 (401) 294-6160

Adcare Rhode Island Inc. | adcare.com Fred A. Trapassi Jr., CEO

Revenue 2020 Revenue 2018 FY ends

Growth percentage Revenue growth

$10.7 mil. $6.5 mil.

September

65.2% $4.2 mil.

Type of business

Behavioral health care and addiction treatment

CLOSER LOOK

Top five companies from 2020:

1

Creative Conners Inc.

2 2

Gerbs Allergy Friendly Foods | mygerbs.com Galen Conte, co-owner and CEO; Sennen Conte, co-owner and chief financial officer

92 Allendale Ave. Johnston, R.I. 02919 (401) 231-5181

$6.5 mil. $4.4 mil.

December

49.1% $2.1 mil.

Acertitude LLC Food manufacturing

3

Available Staffing Network LLC

4 3

Automated Business Solutions Inc. | absne.com Michael Ardry, president

415 Kilvert St. Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 732-3000

$16.2 mil. $13.2 mil.

December

Vertikal6 23% $3 mil.

Office equipment sales and service

5

EpiVax Inc.

4

Available Staffing Network LLC | availablestaffingnetwork.com Danilo Reyes

500 Broad St. Providence, R.I. 02907 (401) 274-9300

$6 mil. $5.9 mil.

December

1.7% $98,764

Professional staffing and recruiting

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401 Tech Bridge is proud to be named a Providence Business News

2021 MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANY – INNOVATION COLLABORATION We look forward to continuing to grow the Rhode Island economy and create jobs by increasing collaboration among industry, universities, and government to help innovative companies fill gaps in their research and development process and find commercial, defense, and government applications for their technology.

LEARN MORE:

www.401TechBridge.org

CONNECT. CREATE. COMMERCIALIZE. 18 | SEPTEMBER 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES | www.pbn.com

$250K-$5M |

Passion for tech drives young firm

2021

BY NANCY KIRSCH | Contributing Writer

‘We hire people who can solve our clients’ problems so they can focus on their core business.’

GOODWILL GESTURE: Information technology services company Signal Solutions Inc. in Warwick declined to charge its struggling restaurant clients during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. From left is Thomas Bastianelli, co-owner and president of managed services; Casey Martin, director of operations; and Matthew Vincent, co-owner and president of carrier services.

1

THOMAS BASTIANELLI, Signal Solutions Inc. co-owner and president of managed services

PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

“WE LIVE AND BREATHE TECH ‘nerdiness’; we’re all geeks at heart,” said Thomas Bastianelli, president of managed services for Signal Solutions Inc. Bastianelli co-owns the Warwick-based information technology

services company with Matthew Vincent, president of carrier ser-

vices. Serving as a dedicated department for businesses that don’t have in-house information technology resources, the company also offers telecommunication support.

Signal Solutions’ clients, scattered throughout New England, are typically small or midsized companies, such as accounting firms, car dealerships and medical practices. Having worked together earlier in their careers, Bastianelli and Vincent teamed up in January 2016 to launch the company, which now employs five people.

Vincent attributes the company’s 910.5% revenue growth from 2018 to 2020 to several factors.

“First, by always being customer service-focused, we hire talent; we don’t just hire to fill a seat,” Vincent said.

By hiring people with the relevant technical skills, 75% of these problems are resolved upon the clients’ first call, rather than routing clients’ problems from employee to employee, as often happens in large IT departments using a Help Desk as the first point of entry.

This creates “happy clients; some 80% to 90% of our business comes from other clients,” Vincent said.

Finally, Signal Solutions has created strong informal referral partnerships with local telecommunications compa-

nies, including Cox Communications Inc., AT&T Inc. and Rhode Island Telephone.

“We provide a consistent level of support for clients’ needs,” Vincent said.

“After we’ve evaluated the telecommunication needs of new clients, we can refer them to the appropriate carrier. And, when those companies have clients with IT needs, they refer them to us.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, the company’s project work ceased, which was initially unsettling. A few months later, however, companies that hadn’t invested in their technology needed to implement changes, including workfrom-home technology, which provided Signal Solutions with business.

“We understood the challenges companies faced in managing a difficult year. As a goodwill gesture, we didn’t charge our restaurant industry clients from March to December 2020, but we still provided them with our services,” Bastianelli said. “They had no revenue coming in but still needed those technology upgrades.”

In late 2020, Signal Solutions relocated from Johnston to Warwick, to be closer to

many of its clients, and hired PMC Media to help with social media, marketing and to redesign its website.

Acknowledging that Signal Solutions isn’t the only IT company around, Bastianelli reiterated how beneficial the company’s first-call resolution of problems is for clients.

“We hire people who can solve our clients’ problems so they can focus on their core business,” Bastianelli said.

“Signal Solutions’ close relationships with telecommunications companies make us attractive to clients, too. A bank was having issues with its phone systems. Its IT partner blamed the phone system, while the one vendor blamed the IT system,” Vincent said. “When we have a client with a problem, we sit down and figure out what’s going on so we can minimize their downtime. We want to make it a rewarding experience rather than a painful and frustrating one.”

Eschewing the approach of “nickel and diming” clients for its services, the company offers different monthly options, which Vincent called “very competitive pricing.” Clients can choose unlimited remote services for a flat fee and pay an extra fee for on-site visits, or unlimited remote and on-site services for a flat fee.

“During the first six months of 2021, Signal Solutions’ revenue is up 20% from the same period in 2020, and we are projecting, for the last six months of the year, 25% to 30% increase over the last six months of 2020,” Vincent said.

“I’m cautiously optimistic. The new [COVID-19] delta variant is a concern … but I believe that the future looks bright.” n

Thomas Bastianelli, president of managed services Matthew Vincent, president of carrier services 2020 Revenue: $615,795 2018 Revenue: $60,939 Revenue growth: 910.5% CEO (or equivalent):

www.pbn.com | FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021 | 19

2021 | $250,000 - $5M

Lowering cost of wind energy

Driven to deliver

BY JAIME LOWE | Contributing Writer

BY NANCY KIRSCH | Contributing Writer

ARCTURA INC., a wind energy technology company in South Kingstown, attributes its 631.7% revenue growth from 2018 to 2020 to the development of three technology solutions, “each designed to lower the cost of wind energy,” said founder and CEO Neal Fine.

The solutions include an active lift control technology for next-generation wind turbines, a blade coating that reduces the impact of lightning strikes and a vertical axis design for floating offshore wind turbines.

“Beginning in 2018, we won a series of competitive [grant] awards from the [U.S.] Department of Energy,” Fine said, including $3.5 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy for the lift control technology and a $2.3 million Small Business Innovation Research award from the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy for the blade coating.

That award includes a $1.1 million Phase 2B grant that will be used to refine the coating and demonstrate it in a series of in-situation wind farm pilot studies. n

“COVID WAS CERTAINLY an accelerant for our business,” said Feast & Fettle Inc. CEO Carlos Ventura. “Even after our strongest year in 2020, growth will outperform last year.”

Ventura attributes that growth to customer retention and expansion into Boston, Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.

A $1.2 million equity investment in late 2020 by Paul Salem of Providence Equity Partners enabled Feast & Fettle to expand its commercial kitchen facilities, serve growing customer demand, widen its digital marketing and plan for geographic expansion, including into Connecticut.

Delivering fully prepared meals to nearly 3,000 subscribers, the East Providence-based company reuses its insulated bags and ice packs and is working with the Rhode Island School of Design to develop 3D-printed iterations of reusable stainless-steel packaging.

“We’ve developed a culture where growth is expected and anticipated,” Ventura said. “Our growth rates are crazy – this year, we’ll more than triple our employee base and revenue.” n

2

3

CEO (or equivalent):

Neal Fine, founder and CEO 2020 Revenue:

$1.5 million

2018 Revenue:

$198,607

Revenue growth:

631.7%

CEO (or equivalent):

Carlos Ventura 2020 Revenue:

$2.5 million

2018 Revenue:

$414,000

Revenue growth:

501.5%

PBN TOP LISTS PBN publishes TOP LISTS in our weekly publication, complete with contacts and relevant data.

Once a year, the TOP LISTS are compiled and published in our BOOK OF LISTS, the most comprehensive resource for connecting with the business community in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

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COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES (ranked by number of full-time undergraduates, 2019-2020 academic year) COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES (ranked by number of full-time undergraduates, 2019-2020 academic year) 2020 rank

1

2019: 1

2

2019: 2

3

2019: 3

4

2019: 5

PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS

PBN 2021

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 David M. Dooley, president 1

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

12,596 4,869

3,164 1,158

$12,922 $30,496

1892

Brown University | brown.edu Christina H. Paxson, president

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

7,160 3,173

3,124 868

$59,254 NA

1764

Johnson & Wales Univeristy | jwu.edu Mim Runey, chancellor; Marie Bernardo-Sousa, president, Providence campus

Community College of Rhode Island | ccri.edu Meghan Hughes, president

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

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

6,138 565

6,096 18,684

1,238 453

848 768

$33,054 $33,054

$4,284 $12,128

1914

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS 2020 rank

1

Re-ranked by oldest institutions:

2019: 1

2

2 Wheaton College 3

Rhode Island College Year founded: 1854

5

2019: 4

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | umassd.edu Mark Preble, acting chancellor

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

Rhode Island College | ric.edu Frank D. Sánchez, president

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

5,465 2,689

1,349 603

$14,358 $30,103

LIST RESEARCHED BY Cassius Shuman

6

2019: 6

7

8

2019: 9

9

2019: 10

10

2019: 7

11

2019: 11

12

2019: 12

Providence College | business.providence.edu Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, president 3

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

4,950 2,581

4,140 859

1,252 331

942 298

$8,835 $13,252 2

$51,490 $51,490

1854

1917

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

4,022 1,303

Bryant University | bryant.edu Ross Gittell, president

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

3,349 435

855 313

$44,498 $44,498

1863

Bristol Community College | bristolcc.edu Laura L. Douglas, president

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

2,971 3,880

1,077 125

$4,944 $9,888

1965

Roger Williams University | rwu.edu Ioannis Miaoulis

Stonehill College | stonehill.edu Rev. John F. Denning, president

New England Institute of Technology | neit.edu Richard Gouse, president

320 Washington St. Easton, Mass. 02357 (508) 565-1000

One New England Tech Blvd.

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

2,481 22

2,314 478

1,317 579

300 170

279 262

$36,648 $36,648

$44,420 $44,420

$30,000 $30,000

1956

1948

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

WANT TO JOIN? For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 680-4884 or write to Shuman@PBN.com.

NL = Not listed last year.

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

2,091 680

587 295

$42,220 $42,220

1947

Rhode Island School of Design | risd.edu Rosanne Somerson, president

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

2,009 492

749 602

$52,860 $52,860

1877

BOOK OF LISTS 120+ LISTS | 800+ COMPANIES | 1,500+ EXECUTIVES

15

Wheaton College | wheatoncollege.edu Dennis M. Hanno, president

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

1,751 9

571 132

$54,118 $54,118

Just missed the list:

1 Embrace Home

$39.4 bil.

4,000

Submarine construction, design and life cycle maintenance

$36.3 bil.

1,025

Systems and weapons developer and integrator

Loans Inc. 2019 revenue: $142.1 million

2019: 7

4

United Natural Foods Inc. | unfi.com John W. Howard, chief financial officer

313 Iron Horse Way Providence, R.I. 02908 (401) 528-8634

$26.5 bil.

776

Distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods

2 Navigant Credit Union

5 2019: 5

Amgen Inc. | amgen.com Peter H. Griffith

40 Technology Way West Greenwich, R.I. 02817 (401) 392-1200

$23.4 bil.

903

Biotechnology manufacturer

Fidelity Investments Inc. | fidelity.com Maggie Serravalli

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

6

Citizens Financial Group Inc. | citizensbank.com John Woods, vice chairman and chief financial officer

1 Citizens Plaza Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 456-7000

$7.4 bil.

4,900

Financial institution

Gilbane Inc. | gilbaneco.com John T. Ruggieri, senior vice president and chief financial officer

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

$6.4 bil.

457

Construction and real estate development

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

$6.1 bil.

5,400

9

2019: 10

10

FM Global | fmglobal.com Kevin S. Ingram, executive vice president and chief financial officer

International Game Technology PLC | igt.com Massimiliano Chiara, executive vice president and chief financial officer 1

10 Memorial Blvd.

Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 392-1000

$4.8 bil.

1,051

Gaming technology producer and services provider

Hasbro Inc. | hasbro.com Deborah M. Thomas, executive vice president and chief financial officer

1027 Newport Ave. Pawtucket, R.I. 02862 (401) 431-8697

$4.7 bil.

1,600

Developer of toys and games, branded entertainment

Sensata Technologies Inc. | sensata.com Paul Vasington, executive vice president and chief financial officer

529 Pleasant St. Attleboro, Mass. 02703 (508) 236-3800

$3.5 bil.

900

Manufacturer of sensors for automotive, aerospace and industrial customers

Lifespan Corp. 2 | lifespan.org Mary A. Wakefield, executive vice president and chief financial officer

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

$2.4 bil.

15,922

Health care

12

 Rev. Brian J. Shanley stepped down as president on June 30, 2020. Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard assumed the role July 1, 2020.

2019: 18

13 14

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island | bcbsri.com Mark Stewart, chief financial officer and executive vice president

500 Exchange St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 459-1000

$1.7 bil.

763

Health insurer

15

Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | nhpri.org Frank Meaney

910 Douglas Pike Smithfield, R.I. 02917 (401) 459-6000

$1.4 bil.

548

Health insurer

2019: 23

Bally's Corp. 3 | twinriverwwholdings.com Steve Capp, executive vice president and chief financial officer

100 Twin River Road Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 723-3200

$919.9 mil.

1,930

Casino hotel management; gaming and entertainment

17 2019: 22

Ocean State Job Lot | oceanstatejoblot.com John D. Conforti

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

$725 mil.

1,367

Retail

2019: 17

16

$560 mil.

430

2800 Financial Plaza Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 274-9200

$496.4 mil.

83

Law firm

Blount Fine Foods Corp. | blountfinefoods.com Michael Mistrot

630 Currant Road Fall River, Mass. 02720 (774) 888-1300

$432.4 mil.

800

Manufacturing

2019: 13

Tiffany & Co. 4 | tiffany.com Mark J. Erceg, executive vice president and chief financial officer

300 Maple Ridge Drive Cumberland, R.I. 02864 (401) 288-0100

$367.5 mil.

540

Luxury jewelry and silverware manufacturer and retailer

2019: NL

22

Cardi Corp. | cardi.com Josh Blais

400 Lincoln Ave. Warwick, R.I. 02888 (401) 739-8300

$250 mil.

550

Contractor specializing in bridge, highway and heavy construction

23 2019: NL

Woodard & Curran | woodardcurran.com David Remick

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

$246.3 mil.

56

Engineering, science and operations

2019: NL

24

Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp. | whcorp.com Javeed Buch, senior vice president and chief financial officer

23 New England Way Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 333-2770

$235 mil.

30

Distributor of parts and service for packaging industries

25

Thielsch Engineering Inc. | thielsch.com Trent D. Theroux

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

$185.1 mil.

610

18

Carousel Industries of North America Inc. | carouselindustries.com Jason Cherry

2019: NL

19

Locke Lord LLP | lockelord.com Barry Honea

20

“The Most Innovative Organization in Education” –Providence Business News, 2018

2019: NL

www.pbn.com | BOOK OF LISTS ■ PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JANUARY 2021

| 75

3 BankNewport

1 LaSalle Square Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 331-0700

50,500 4

14,000 1,200

Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick | crownehotelwarwick.com Lynne Oscarson

801 Greenwich Ave. Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 732-6000

45,400 26

700 900

4 2019: 4

Dave & Buster's | daveandbusters.com Robert Allard, general manager

40 Providence Place Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 270-4555

42,000 2

250 1,200

5 2019: 5

Four Points by Sheraton Norwood | fourpointsnorwood.com Ray Prescottano, general manager

1125 Boston Providence Turnpike Norwood, Mass. 02062 (781) 769-7900

40,000 30

1,000 550

The WaterFire Arts Center | artscenter.waterfire.org Barnaby Evans, executive artistic director

475 Valley St. Providence, R.I. 02908 (401) 273-1155

37,000 4

1,000 700

7

Soohyung Kim, chairman, Bally's Corp.; George Papanier, CEO and president, Bally's Corp.; Marc Crisafulli, executive vice president, strategic development and government affairs, and president of Twin River Casino Hotel and Tiverton Casino Hotel

100 Twin River Road and 777 Tiverton Casino Blvd.

Lincoln and Tiverton, R.I. 02865 and 02878 (401) 723-3200 and (401) 816-6000

36,000 11

2,850 1,400

Hope Artiste Village | hopeartistevillage.com Jacqueline DuBose, property manager

999 Main St. Pawtucket, R.I. 02860 (401) 312-3850

35,000 5

245 245

9 2019: 9

Westerly Education Center | westerlyedcenter.org Amy Grzybowski, executive director

23 Friendship St. Westerly, R.I. 02891 (401) 584-4931

34,500 17

100 NA

ENGINEERING FIRMS ENGINEERING FIRMS 1

 Tiffany & Co. was acquired Pare Corp. | parecorp.com Larry Riggs, president

by Moet Hennessy 2019:- 2Louis Vuitton, Societe Europeenne, also known as LVMH, on Nov. BETA Group Inc. | beta-inc.com 25, 2019.

Frank Romeo, CEO 2019: 3 GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc. | gza.com Patrick Sheehan, CEO and president Wright-Pierce | wright-pierce.com John W. Braccio

6

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

7

Woodard & Curran | woodardcurran.com Douglas McKeown, CEO

8

Construction and engineering

1 Massimiliano Chiara replaced Fornaro as chief financial officer on April 6, ■ 2020.

50 | JANUARY 2021 Alberto | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS BOOK OF LISTS | www.pbn.com

2 Lifespan Corp. includes Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, Newport Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children's Hospital and The Miriam Hospital.

3 Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc. rebranded as Bally's Corp. on Nov. 9.

4 Tiffany & Co. was acquired by Moet Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Societe Europeenne, also known as LVMH, on Nov. 25, 2019.

GET ON A LIST

Steere Engineering Inc. | steereengineering.com Patricia Steere, owner and president

2019: 9

8

Thielsch Engineering Inc. | thielsch.com Thomas Lent

8

Gordon R. Archibald Inc. | graengs.com Joseph J. Giordano, president

2019: 10

11

2019: 13

11

2019: 16

Rhodes on the Pawtuxet | rhodesonthepawtuxet.com Maggie Shields, general manager

28,000 3

1,200 1,200

12

Newport Marriott | newportmarriott.com Walter Andrews

25 America's Cup Ave. Newport, R.I. 02840 (401) 849-1000

24,284 16

1,100 600

22,877 19

850 660

2019: 13

2019: 14

2019: NL

1 West Exchange St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 598-8000

Ambrosia Wedding & Events | ambrosiafunctions.com Sunny Patel, owner and general manager Licensed

2 Washington St. Foxboro, Mass. 02035 (508) 668-7200

engineers 31 Hampshire St. Non-licensed Address Holiday Inn Foxboro/Mansfield | ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels engineers Type of engineering Mansfield, Mass. 02048 Phone 2019: 15 Tricia Putignano, general manager (508) 339-2200 1 Cedar St., Suite 400 Civil, environmental, land development, 43 Providence, R.I. 02903 planning, transportation 67 11 Dorrance St. (401) 272-8100 Graduate Providence 2 | graduatehotels.com/providence Providence, R.I. 02903 2019: 16 Scott Williams, general manager (401) 421-0700 8 Blackstone Valley Place Bridge, civil, dams, environmental, 33 Lincoln, R.I. 02865 geotechnical, GIS, highway, marine, 28 (401) 334-4100 permitting, stormwater, structural, 424 Bellevue Ave.traffic The Preservation Society of Newport Newport, R.I. 02840 County | newportmansions.org 2019: 17 Trudy Coxe, CEO and executive director (401) 847-1000 Civil, environmental GIS/asset 701 George Washington Highway management, landscape architecture, 32 Lincoln, R.I. 02865 structural, traffic/transportation, urban 28 (401) 333-2382 66 Road planning, wastewater State and water White's of Westport | lafrancehospitality.com Westport, Mass. 02790 2019: 18 Charles F. Fellows, general manager (508) 188 Valley St., Suite 300 Environmental, dams and675-7185 levee, marine, 24 Providence, R.I. 02909 MS4 stormwater and water resources, 27 (401) 421-4140 offshore wind energy, solid waste 1 Lincoln Almond Plaza Thomas M. Ryan Center | theryancenter.com South Kingstown, R.I. 02881 Becki, general manager 2019: 19 LeahSt., (401) 788-3200 10 Dorrance Suite 840 Building design, civil, dams, electrical, GIS, 20 Providence, R.I. 02903 mechanical, stormwater, water/ 7 (401) 383-2276 wastewater 1 Bellevue Ave. Hotel Viking | hotelviking.com Newport, R.I. 02840 2019: Shaun 220Stafford CourtBorges Civil and environmental regulatory (401) 847-3300 15 Cranston, R.I. 02920 permitting for land-development projects 19 (401) 943-1000 throughout southern New England 213 Taunton Ave. Ramada by Wyndham Seekonk-Providence Seekonk, Mass. 02771 Area | wyndhamhotels.com/ramada 33 Broad St., Floor 7 2019: 21 Nancy (508) 336-8700 and Marocco, sales director Civil, environmental, instrumentation 13 Providence, R.I. 02903 controls, sewer and waste, utility, water 18 (401) 273-1007 2 Kennedy Plaza BankNewport City Center 3 | theprovidencerink.com R.I.bridge, 02903 2019: 2350 Post Road, Suite manager 100 3D CAD modeling Providence, and rendering, Brant Gawrys, 11 680-7390 22 Warwick, R.I. 02886 contractor support,(401) environmental, 10 (401) 773-7880 highway, NBIS bridge inspection, traffic 2 Goat Island Belle Mer | longwoodvenues.com Newport, R.I.fire 02840 195 Frances Ave. Consulting, electrical, energy, 2019: Tracey Becker, president and managing 11 partner protection, laboratory (617)testing, 854-5000 23 Cranston, R.I. 02910 mechanical, 57 (401) 467-6454 metallurgical, plumbing, process

15 16

McMahon Associates | mcmahonassociates.com William Steffens, chairman; Joseph Desantis, president; Robert Smith, R.I. office lead C. A. Pretzer Associates Inc. | capretzer.com Michael J. Grafe, president

19

20

22

23

24 Providence Marriott Downtown | marriott.com/pvdri 200 Main St. 2019: Farouk Rajab Pawtucket, R.I. 02860 24 (401) 726-4084

1 Orms St. Providence, 02904 Civil and environmental, publicR.I. works and (401) 272-2400 private development

11 5

25 Newport 14 Breakneck Hill Beach Road House | longwoodvenues.com 2019: 8 Tracey Becker, director of sales Lincoln, R.I. 02865 25 (401) 648-7200

22

55 Purgatory Road Middletown, R.I. 02842 Design, engineering, planning, technology 854-5000 and transportation(617) solutions

50 Freeway Drive

301 Metro Center Blvd.

Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 736-3440

7 6

Brownfields, civil and environmental engineering, and ecosystem restoration

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

6 6

Brownfields, civil, environmental, hazardous materials, health/safety, land development, MEP, sustainable design

15

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

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

5 8

Civil, construction management, green building, mapping, permitting, structural, surveying, traffic

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

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

5 5

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

Paul B. Aldinger & Associates Inc. | pba-engr.com Paul B. Aldinger, president and chief engineer

860A Waterman Ave. East Providence, R.I. 02914 (401) 435-5570

4 1

Geotechnical engineering and groundwater hydrology

17

Millstone Engineering PC | millstoneeng.com Jeffrey C. Hanson, president

250 Centerville Road Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 921-3344

4 1

Civil, environmental, land development, planning, site, surveying and regulatory permitting

2019: NL

19

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

20

Harbor Engineering LLC | harboreng.com August J. Kreuzkamp

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

2 0

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

21

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

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

1 16

Electrical, fire protection, HVAC and plumbing

21

Trinity Engineering RI Peter DiSpigno, owner

11 Briggs Road Foster, R.I. 02825 (401) 500-2538

1 0

2019: 17

15

2019: 17

17

2019: NL

2019: NL

2019: NL

2019: NL

2019: NL

@NewEnglandMCA

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Contact your PBN account manager or 401.680.4800 or Advertising@PBN.com Providence Business News | 400 Westminster St., Providence, RI | 401.273.2201 | PBN.com

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WANT TO JOIN? For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 680-4884 or write to Shuman@PBN.com.

NL = Not listed last year.

FOOTNOTES  Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc. changed its name to Bally’s Corp. on Nov. 9, 2020.

 Formerly the Alex and Ani City Center, which was renamed on Nov. 21, 2019.

17,700 6

14,500 11

14,025 8

14,000 0

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11,351 13

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130

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 Formerly the Providence Biltmore Hotel, which rebranded on March 1, 2019.

YEARS

www.nemca.org

| PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS ■ BOOK OF LISTS | www.pbn.com

LIST RESEARCHED BY Cassius Shuman

400 350

Electrical, fire alarm, generators, photovoltaic systems

PROMOTING THE MECHANICAL CONTRACTING INDUSTRY FOR OVER

The R.I. Convention Center Banquet seats: 5,500

14

NL = Not listed last year.

(401) 785-2690 2 Formerly the Providence Biltmore Hotel, which rebranded on March 1, 2019.

3 Formerly the Alex and Ani City Center, which was renamed on Nov. 21, 2019.

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

Maximum banquet seats:

18,223 12

8 144 | JANUARY 2021 Inc. | changed PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS ■ BOOKfirm OF LISTS | www.pbn.com Cranston, R.I. 02920Holdings Structural-engineering consulting 1 Twin River Worldwide its 3 name to Bally’s Corp. on Nov. 9, 2020.

EA Engineering Science & Technology Inc. | eaest.com Ian MacFarlane, CEO and president

14

Dunkin’ Donuts Center Seating capacity: 14,000

400 350

2,500 1,600

7,800 2,400

400 400

No. of engineers: 61

LIST RESEARCHED BY Cassius Shuman

Largest seating capacity:

2,000 1,800

Engineering Inc. 16,600 No. of engineers: 68 10

3 Pare Corp.

Four Points by Sheraton Norwood Meeting rooms: 30

1,200 700

Brustlin Inc. No. of engineers: 110

2 Thielsch

Most meeting rooms:

22,000 6

Re-ranked by total engineers: 19,000

1 Vanasse Hangen

CLOSER LOOK

20,000 16

CLOSER LOOK

21

13

2019: 17

2019: 14

617.405.4221

PARTNER SPONSORS

Omni Providence Hotel | omnihotels.com/hotels/providence Burnell Goldman

18

4

5

2019: 10

1,000 600

17

3

2019: 12

28,000 19

(ranked13 by number of local licensed professional engineers) 14of local licensed professional engineers) (ranked by number

 Lifespan Corp. includes Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, Newport Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital/ Company | Website Hasbro Children’s Hospital 2020 rank Principal(s) and The Miriam Hospital.

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. | vhb.com  Twin River Worldwide Joseph T. Wanat, principal and Rhode Island managing 2019: 1 Holdings Inc. rebranded as director Bally’s Corp. on Nov. 9, 2020.

2019: 7

1 Goat Island Newport, R.I. 02840 (401) 849-2600 60 Rhodes Place Cranston, R.I. 02905 (401) 785-4333

10

FOOTNOTES  Massimiliano Chiara replaced Alberto Fornaro as chief financial officer on April 6, 2020.

2019: 5

Gurney's Newport Resort & Marina | gurneysresorts.com/ newport David Smiley

10 2019:

10

NL = Not listed last year.

Bally's Corp. 1 | twinriver.com

2019: 8

10 2019:

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BOL2021Covers.indd 1

9,500 5,500

Dunkin' Donuts Center | dunkindonutscenter.com Larry Lepore, general manager

3

8

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

Largest seating capacity Max. banquet seats

137,000 23

2

2019: 3

6

LIST RESEARCHED BY Cassius Shuman

2019: 4

SEE HOW YOUR COMPANY RANKS AMONG YOUR COMPETITION. Want to be considered for one or more of our Top Lists in 2021?

Contact James Bessette at Research@PBN.com for information.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

1 Sabin St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 458-6000

2019: 6

2

Communication and network technologies, IT services, visual communications and AV integration

659 South County Trail Exeter, R.I. 02822 (800) 401-0760

2019: NL

England and the New York City metropolitan area.

3 Rev. Brian J. Shanley stepped down as president on June 30, 2020. Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard assumed the role July 1, 2020.

Commercial property insurer of multinational organizations

11 2019: 12 2019: 14

Address Phone

The R.I. Convention Center | riconvention.com Larry Lepore, general manager

2019: 7

2019: 11

2019: 16

2019 revenue: $107 million

Meeting space (sq. ft.)

Meeting rooms

Company | Website Owner/manager

1

2019: 2

2019 revenue: $97.9 million

7

 Rhode Island College’s out-of-state tuition represents the Northeast Neighbors’ program that is a reduced out-of-state charge (150% of in-state tuition) for residents of New England and the New York City metropolitan area.

1 David M. Dooley will retire in June of 2021.

2 Rhode Island College’s out-of-state tuition represents the Northeast Neighbors’ program that is a reduced out-of-state charge (150% of in-state tuition) for residents of New

Financial services

8

2019: 9

FOOTNOTES  David M. Dooley will retire in June of 2021.

1834

$20.9 bil.

3,100

2020 rank

2019: 1

1847 West Main Road Portsmouth, R.I. 02871 (401) 842-5438

21

2019: 15

Retail pharmacy and pharmacy benefit chain

165 Dillabur Ave. North Kingstown, R.I. 02852 (401) 268-2300

2019: NL Salve Regina University | salve.edu Kelli J. Armstrong, president

14

2019: 13

Type of business

$256.8 bil.

8,600

1940

13

2019: 14

2019 revenue No. of local employees

1 CVS Drive Woonsocket, R.I. 02895 (401) 765-1500

Raytheon IDS | raytheon.com Anthony F. O'Brien, vice president and chief financial officer

2019: 8

1895

Address Phone

CVS Health Corp. | cvshealth.com Eva Boratto, executive vice president and chief financial officer General Dynamics Electric Boat | gdeb.com John V. Leonard, chief financial officer and vice president of finance, contracts, strategic planning and applied physical sciences

2019: 4

(ranked by meeting space square feet)

MEETING & CONVENTION FACILITIES (ranked by meeting space square feet) CLOSER LOOK

Company | Website Chief financial officer

3

2019: 2

1

Brown University Year founded: 1764

Year founded: 1834

1964

MEETING & CONVENTION FACILITIES

(ranked by 2019 revenue)

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS (ranked by 2019 revenue)

CLOSER LOOK

2019: 6

2019: 8

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School | Website President

800 520

2,500 2,500

600 450

650 450

500 400

2021

$250,000 - $5M |

t a h t e l p o e p e h t Reach with marketing that matter - r target audience . hits you

80%

Pivot pays off for Premama

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YOUR SOURCE FOR BUSINESS NEWS IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND | VOL. 35, NO. 43 | $5

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

At many colleges, tour deleted from sales pitch

BY MARY MACDONALD | MacDonald@PBN.com

FOCUS: EDUCATION

SEE COLLEGES

PAGE 26

ONE LAST THING

Lars Trodson Virtual sales lure visitors | 38

Dan Aziz, founder and CEO 2020Revenue:

$4.4 million

2018 Revenue:

$1.2 million

Revenue growth:

265.8%

BY JAIME LOWE | Contributing Writer

PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS CELEBRATING

USING SMARTPHONES AND livestreaming, colleges and universities in Rhode Island have been able to bypass the COVID-19 pandemic to connect with prospective students, showing them around the campus, introducing them to key faculty members.

But they can’t replicate the smell of waffles in the dining hall or allow students to experience the rustling of autumn leaves on campus.

Virtual strategies have limitations. And across Rhode Island,

CEO (or equivalent):

Solar savings attract clients

*Reader comments from the July 2020 CVC PBN subscriber survey.

pbn.com

4

LUNA PHARMACEUTICALS INC., doing business as Premama Inc., a pre- and post-natal supplement company in Providence, attributes its recent revenue growth to a “pivot to direct-to-consumer.”

“We realized in 2017 that succeeding at retail was very costly and difficult as a new brand,” said CEO Dan Aziz, who founded the company in 2011. “We pivoted our marketing efforts to drive to our website, so we could better control the customer experience and better understand the return on our marketing dollars invested.”

This year has seen strong growth in retail, brought on by Whole Foods Inc. and high Amazon.com Inc. sales.

Aziz is optimistic about the future.

“We just launched an at-home sperm test this April, and have a new, patented ovulation and pregnancy test coming out this winter,” he said. “We are also investing more in our community and education so we can be the No. 1 source for new parents on the journey to starting a family.” n

CLOUDED HORIZON T.F. Green leader says recovery could take years

BY MARY MACDONALD | MacDonald@PBN.com

CONSTANZA

ROSAS STEPPED OUT OF T.F. GREEN Airport in mid-January, exhausted from a series of flights. She carried two suitcases, a bright-pink neck pillow and the trappings of the pandemic-era traveler. In addition to a full-face shield, she wore a surgical face mask over an N95 mask.

Her flight from Charlotte, N.C., was the last leg of a three-stop journey that had started with an eight-hour flight from Santiago, Chile, to Miami.

Tested and found negative for COVID-19 three days prior, she was nervous throughout the journey. “I was afraid of COVID,” she said. “I was like this on the plane because I was scared,” she said, tightly tucking in her arms.

Rosas overcame the fear and had made it to Rhode Island, ready to begin a two-week quarantine and then an au pair job in Barrington. A member of her host family picked her up at the Warwick airport.

SEE AIRPORT

LONG HAUL: A JetBlue Airways flight leaves from the main runway at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick.

JetBlue’s operations resumed last summer after a brief suspension in the spring when the coronavirus hit the U.S. PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

PAGE 12

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 AT 9AM

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PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS

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Contact us today for information on all of our marketing options.

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5

ANTHONY BARO, founder and managing principal of solar energy equipment supplier E2SOL LLC in Providence, attributes the company’s 97% revenue growth from 2018 to 2020 to a heightened awareness of the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy.

Additional factors he listed include the rise in utility rates across state markets, the company’s dedicated in-house customer support and satisfied customer referrals.

The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity for the company to adopt new virtual technologies and meeting practices to improve operational efficiencies and execute project developments, with a backlog extending back to 2019.

Baro said E2SOL is focused on “helping our customers transform their underutilized property assets into new savings and revenue streams and upgrading their electric infrastructures to allow them to better serve and retain their own customers adopting electrified transportation means.”

E2SOL is also looking to continue to capitalize on new product innovation opportunities presented during this clean energy market transformation industrial phase. n

CEO (or equivalent):

Anthony Baro, founder and managing principal 2020 Revenue:

$1.7 million

2018 Revenue:

$869,972

Revenue growth:

97%

www.pbn.com | FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021 | 21

FASTEST GROWING PRIVATE COMPANIES, COMPANIES $250,000 TO$5 $5MILLION MILLION (ranked (rankedbybyrevenue-growth revenue-growthpercentage) percentage)

CLOSER LOOK

Company | Website CEO/President

Address Phone

Revenue 2020 Revenue 2018 FY ends

Growth percentage Revenue growth

Type of business

1

Signal Solutions Inc. | signalri.com Thomas Bastianelli, president of managed services; Matthew Vincent, president of carrier services

175 Metro Center Blvd., Unit 6 Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 323-6265

$615,795 $60,939 December

910.5% $554,856

Information technology managed services and consulting

Top five companies from 2020:

2

Arctura Inc. 1 | arcturawind.com Neal Fine, founder and CEO

336 Columbia St. South Kingstown, R.I. 02879 (401) 595-7379

$1.5 mil. $198,607 December

631.7% $1.3 mil.

Develops technologies and products that reduce the cost of wind energy

1

3

Feast & Fettle Inc. | feastandfettle.com Carlos Ventura, CEO

881 Waterman Ave. East Providence, R.I. 02914 (774) 563-0802

$2.5 mil. $414,000 December

501.5% $2.1 mil.

4

Luna Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2 | premamawellness.com Dan Aziz, founder and CEO

2021 rank

5

E2SOL LLC | e2sol.com Anthony Baro, founder and managing principal

244 Weybosset St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 383-0299

10 Dorrance St., Suite 700 Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 489-2273

$4.4 mil. $1.2 mil.

December

$1.7 mil. $869,972 December

265.8% $3.2 mil.

97% $843,677

Fully prepared meal delivery service

Maternity wellness business offering supplements, medical device testing and content

Renewable energy design-build developments, electric transportation infrastructure design-build

CCS Presentation Systems New England

2

Feast & Fettle Inc.

3

Luminous Creative Agency

4

Premama Inc.

6

The Capital Good Fund | capitalgoodfund.org Andy Posner, founder and CEO

22 A St. Providence, R.I. 02907 (866) 584-3651

$4.8 mil. $2.6 mil.

December

90% $2.3 mil.

Nonprofit

7

NeQter Labs LLC | neqterlabs.com Richard Astle, co-founder and CEO

163 Exchange St. Pawtucket, R.I. 02860 (401) 608-6522

$771,090 $432,040 December

78.5% $339,050

Cybersecurity software

8

McGuinness Media & Marketing | mcguinnessmedia.com Megan McGuinness, owner

2348 Post Road, Suite 200 Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 773-7711

$924,938 $535,319 December

72.8% $389,619

Advertising and marketing agency

9

Coutu Bros. Moving & Storage | coutumovers.com Robert Romano, president

2 Greco Lane Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 739-7788

$1.4 mil. $895,000 December

55.6% $498,000

Moving and storage

IT Support RI | itsupportri.com Nick Bernfeld and Paul Riendeau, CEOs

70 Woodland Road North Smithfield, R.I. 02896 (401) 522-5200

$3.3 mil. $2.3 mil.

December

44% $1 mil.

Information technology services

Trailblaze Marketing | trailblaze.marketing Christopher Parisi, founder and president

333 Westminster St., Suite 200 Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 753-7470

$705,000 $498,000 December

41.6% $207,000

Full-service digital marketing agency

12

Lathrop Insurance Agency Inc. | lathropinsurance.com Dan Lathrop, president

85A Beach St. Westerly, R.I. 02891 (401) 596-2525

$2 mil. $1.5 mil.

January

30.4% $460,084

Insurance agency

13

Best Practice Energy | bestpracticeenergy.com Bryan Yagoobian, founder, CEO and president

24 Salt Pond Road, Suite H3 South Kingstown, R.I. 02879 (401) 594-2300

$4.5 mil. $3.6 mil.

December

26.7% $957,053

Commercial energy broker and consultant

14

Integrated Media Group | growwithimg.com Gil Lantini and Ralph Coppolino, founders

1145 Reservoir Ave., Suite 300 Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 300-9921

$2.1 mil. $1.7 mil.

December

23.4% $398,000

Digital marketing and technology

15

East Coast Technology Group | ectne.com Steven J. Gietz, founder and president

1300 Highland Corporate Drive Cumberland, R.I. 02864 401-464-9005

$1.9 mil. $1.7 mil.

December

9.2% $160,000

Information technology and cybersecurity services

16

Technology Advisory Group | techadvisory.com Gary Harlam, owner

250 Centerville Road Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 228-6400

$3.5 mil. $3.3 mil.

December

6% $197,034

Technology services

10 11

1 Aquanis Inc. rebranded as Arctura Inc. in October of 2020.

2 Also known as Premama Inc.

22 | SEPTEMBER 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES | www.pbn.com

5

Integrated Media Group

Adaptive model allows builder to keep innovating

BY ISABELLA DELEO | Contributing Writer

GILBANE BUILDING CO. is breaking ground. The company has “systems and processes and governance, but there’s room to color outside the lines,” said Kelly Benedict, vice president.

The Providence-based organization with 46 offices worldwide counts several initiatives as among its most innovative and transformative. There’s the Innovation Council, a group of company leaders from across the organization’s departments that support and make decisions about cultural change and innovation on a companywide level; the Innovation Accelerator, an idea generator incubator consisting of five stages that includes partaking in project experiments; and the Idea Inventory, a digital portfolio of ideas that provides employees with greater transparency about the ideas that are being pursued, which stages the ideas are in and why certain ideas are no longer working.

Innovation at Gilbane is a “shared value for our stakeholders, our clients and our people. And it’s purposely broad because it’s holistic,” Benedict said.

Gilbane has taken its innovative approaches to local projects as well. In August, the company completed renovations to Lincoln High School. In March, Gilbane began providing construction management services for East Providence High School, a project that is scheduled to be completed in August 2022. Outside of Rhode Island, Gilbane in July won the 2021 Student Housing Business Innovator Award for Best Packaging and Offering of Amenities for a mixed-use housing development for Arizona State University, building a climbing wall, swimming pool and spa for students.

According to Benedict, Gilbane promotes a work culture of collaboration and innovation. “Knowing that the work effort that you put together to present it to some people and say, ‘Hey, what do you guys think about this, does this fit?’ It’s just so rewarding. So, I guess that’s the entrepreneurship,” Benedict said. “And I like processes and systems. And I like to have that operating model, but to also be able to shift when we need to shift and be agile when we need to be agile.” n

ARCHITECTURE, CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING

‘I like to … be able to shift when we need to shift and be agile when we need to be agile.’

KELLY BENEDICT, Gilbane Building Co. vice president

LOOKING BRIGHT-EYED: Members of Gilbane Building Co.’s application development team gather for a meeting at the company’s headquarters in Providence. From left are Gevin Odhiambo, Brian Prosnitz and Peter Mahon.

PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

Bringing holistic health care to the forefront

BY MARY LHOWE | Contributing Writer

SINCE ITS CREATION in 2019, Integrative Healthcare Solutions Inc. and its founder have been feeling their way through the worlds of grant-seeking, partnerships and COVID-19 bombs to achieve a single goal: melding the best of Western and Eastern holistic medical practices for the benefit of patients.

Founder and CEO Catherine DeOrsey worked her way into creating the 2-year-old West Greenwich-based nonprofit through some deep personal history. Her father had died of cancer. Her brother died of a drug overdose. DeOrsey was a trained physical therapist and had worked as a representative for a pharmaceutical company and had been prescribed a noneffective drug for Crohn’s disease, which she later recovered from on her own, drug-free terms.

All these experiences created a conviction in DeOrsey that Western medicine, with its emphasis on drugs and surgery, needed a dose of holistic medicine, which focuses on the whole person, mental wellness and diet.

“I am trying to accelerate the holistic side of health care to the front lines,” said DeOrsey, who fully respects the value of Western

medicine. “Holistic health care and lifestyle management need to come to the forefront of treatment options.”

With a $50,000 state Opioid Response Grant and a medical group as a referrer, in mid-2019 Integrative Healthcare began offering education in pain management without opioids, including acupuncture, reiki and relaxation techniques.

The six-month grant served 28 people and achieved some reduction in opioid use.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020 and all attention turned in that direction, DeOrsey pivoted to a partnership with A Wish Come True Inc., a Warwick organization that supports families with a child with a life-threatening illness. As a contractor for A Wish Come True, DeOrsey’s nonprofit began offering mental health care sessions for men, women and teenagers from these families.

Both projects – nonopioid pain alternatives and emotional aid to Wish families – continue through referrals. All treatment costs are covered by grants and fundraising, a new challenge that DeOrsey calls her next innovation. n

EDUCATION

‘I am trying to accelerate the holistic side of health care to the front lines.’

CATHERINE DEORSEY, Integrative Healthcare Solutions Inc. founder and CEO

EAST MEETS WEST: Catherine DeOrsey, founder and CEO of Integrative Healthcare Solutions Inc. in West Greenwich, talks with Cassie White, right, and Lily Oulette.

DeOrsey says Western medicine needs a dose of Eastern holistic health care.

PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

www.pbn.com | FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021 | 23

Brown’s carbon footprint shrinks after $27M project

BY HELENA TOUHEY | Contributing Writer

BROWN UNIVERSITY took a big step toward its goal of reaching a net-zero carbon footprint when it recently completed its $26.8 million Thermal Efficiency Project, a massive overhaul of the heating system on the College Hill campus in Providence.

The project upgraded the steam heating system installed in the 1960s to eliminate steam loads from the district heating loop, lower the temperature of the distribution from 350 degrees Farenheit to 200-F, and convert the central heating plant to hot water instead of high-pressure steam. Already, the temperature component has improved: water is now being heated at 250-F. The Thermal Efficiency Project is part of Brown’s Campus Sustainability Strategic Plan, which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2040, with a 75% reduction by 2025. These goals are part of the university’s mission to curb climate change while also serving as an innovative leader, both in Rhode Island and in academia, for more-sustainable energy practices. “[The project] really provided a

bridge between our old goals and our new goals,” said David Larson, Brown project manager and senior engineer, who noted infrastructure is now in place to make other improvements toward sustainability.

The project was a transformational undertaking. The overhauled system serves about 4.5 million square feet of the 6.5 million square feet of floor space on campus; it also fulfills a variety of needs, from hot water space heating to fueling high-pressure steam generators used in the process of sterilizing lab equipment.

Groundwork on the project began in 2018 and was completed late last year, although some adjustments are still being made.

The total cost invested in the system overhaul amounts to $24.8 million, with a $2 million incentive from National Grid.

Those investments are already garnering praise. Earlier this year, the Thermal Efficiency Project was recognized by the Society for College and Universities Planning, earning a 2021 SCUP Award for Excellence in Planning, District or Campus Component. n

ENERGY & THE ENVIRONMENT

‘[The project] really provided a bridge between our old goals and our new goals.’

DAVID LARSON, Brown University senior engineer

THERMAL EFFICIENCY: Stationary engineer James Cosby stands next to one of three boilers that were converted from steam to hot water at the Brown University Central Heat Plant in Providence, helping the school to reduce its carbon footprint.

PBN PHOTO/DAVE HANSEN

Helping patients access dentists

BY ELIZABETH GRAHAM | Contributing Writer

ONCE THE NEED for dental work arises, the issue rarely resolves on its own, but for the uninsured or underinsured, a trip to the dentist usually means facing a sizable bill.

Recognizing the fact that patients without dental coverage, or whose insurance is limited, tend to let dental needs slide until expensive procedures are unavoidable, First Circle Inc. created an option that benefits both patients and dentists.

Launched in 2017 by First Circle, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Dental of Rhode Island, Chewsi is a mobile app that offers users savings by connecting them with participating dentists in their area.

“We develop reimbursements for the dentist that target an average of 24% savings,” said Blaine Carroll, president of First Circle, headquartered in Providence.

Those savings mean that Chewsi members can afford major procedures such as crowns, implants, bridges or dentures.

On average, Carroll said, Chewsi members pay about $500 for visits because they are undergoing big procedures, while insured patients

who generally visit for preventive services pay about $200.

That means dentists registered with Chewsi can afford to pass along discounts because they are doing more work.

Patients pay dental bills through the free platform, which charges a transaction fee only if dental services are rendered.

The app has expanded dramatically within the past five years, growing from about 100 Rhode Island dentists to more than 5,000 dentists in 10 states. To date, users have saved nearly $2 million on dental care, and the app has paid dentists more than $5.5 million.

Chewsi expects to launch in two more states by the end of the year, said Carroll, who, citing negotiations, declined to name the states.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic nearly stopped activity on the app, there’s been a rebound, with revenue reaching record levels this summer.

“Our business really collapsed in April of last year, but once the dentists started opening up, there was pent-up demand,” Carroll said. n

HEALTH & WELLNESS

‘We develop reimbursements for the dentist that target an average of 24% savings.’

BLAINE CARROLL, First Circle Inc. president

AFFORDABLE ACCESS: Blaine Carroll, right, president of First Circle Inc., shows Joseph Perroni, CEO of Delta Dental of Rhode Island, the Chewsi app, which was launched in 2017

by First Circle, a subsidiary of Delta Dental.

PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

24 | SEPTEMBER 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES | www.pbn.com

Connecting tech fields for a stronger R.I. economy

BY SUSAN SHALHOUB | Contributing Writer

WHEN IT COMES TO discussing the reasons for recent revenue growth at economic development nonprofit 401 Tech Bridge, in Portsmouth, Executive Director Christian Cowan and Manager Mary Johnson don’t miss a beat with their answer.

“We are lucky enough to have great supporters – our donors,” Cowan said. “Our growth, as a connector for companies developing leading-edge advanced materials, technologies and products, is attributed to our sponsors.”

Partnerships with Northeast Region Tech Bridge, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network, the Composites Alliance of Rhode Island, University of Rhode Island, van Beuren Charitable Foundation, Rhode Island Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology sustain the organization, even during challenging times.

Resiliency and solid support were evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson said, with delays in the renovation of a manufacturing facility to create the nonprofit’s Advanced Materials & Technology Center in Portsmouth.

The center will be a hub for the organization’s partners in aca-

demia, government and industry to build prototypes, test products and advance commercialization, funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, state and private foundations.

While 401 Tech Bridge had planned to offer programming to help companies cross gaps in research and development in concert with the new center, in light of the delays the organization sped up the programming timeline instead, Johnson said.

“We partnered with the [U.S.] Navy to develop innovation prize challenges. We have also created a lot of programming for companies to understand the economic landscape and where the opportunities are,” she said.

Looking ahead, Cowan said construction work for the Advanced Materials & Technology Center is now set to go out to bid, and the center should be ready by Jan. 1, 2022.

The 401 Tech Bridge plans to be an important piece of a larger blue technology economic engine.

“We measure our success with top-line revenue growth with the companies to which we provide services and the jobs we create,” he said. “Those are the clients we serve.” n

INNOVATIVE COLLABORATION 401 TECH BRIDGE ADVANCED MATERIALS & TECHNOLOGY CENTER

‘We are lucky enough to have great supporters – our donors.’

CHRISTIAN COWAN, 401 Tech Bridge executive director

VALUABLE PARTNER: From left, Lee Silvestre, Northeast Tech Bridge coordinator, meets with 401 Tech Bridge staffers Miguel Crisostomo-Vargas, marketing coordinator; Linda Larsen, programs and partnership manager; Christian Cowan, executive director; Susan Daly, strategic adviser; and Mary Johnson, manager, at the economic development nonprofit’s facility in Portsmouth.

PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

Easing paperwork burden on clinicians

BY ISABELLA DELEO | Contributing Writer

AS MANY HEALTH CARE workers are increasingly facing burnout due to the difficulties of working during the COVID-19 pandemic, My MOC Inc., a North Kingstown-based technology company, is offering a potential solution that it hopes will make clinicians’ lives a little bit easier: a cloud-based platform called MOCingbird.

Many health care workers are required to complete various continuing medical education and maintenance of certification, or MOC, requirements to maintain their medical board certifications.

MOCingbird brings all of this content together into one dashboard, making it easier for clinicians to keep track of what requirements they need to meet and what they have completed already.

When clinicians open the platform, founded and incorporated by Ian Madom and George Fernaine in 2017, on their desktop or mobile devices, they’ll be faced with a dashboard that informs them of the upcoming tasks they need to complete.

For My MOC CEO Brad Artery, much of the platform’s innovation is automating and bringing dispa-

rate information together to ease clinicians’ administrative burdens so they can get back to the core part of the job, which is taking care of patients.

“Clinicians are burning out at a higher and higher rate. All they want to do is manage patients and not manage paperwork. And unfortunately, that paperwork continues to be kind of a growing burden for them,” Artery said. “MOCingbird was developed with the clinician in mind to really simplify his or her life.”

It’s been an exciting year for the company. Artery says the platform went to market in the final quarter of 2020. The company has gained new business partnerships, including with health care company Grand Rounds in August 2021.

For Artery, who joined My MOC in 2019, the company’s mission is personal, as his wife is a health care worker.

“It was finally my opportunity to get into health care and help fix a problem that I didn’t feel directly, but indirectly, in my home that my wife had been dealing with,” he said. n

IT SERVICES

‘MOCingbird was developed with the clinician in mind to really simplify his or her life.’

BRAD ARTERY, My MOC Inc. CEO

KEEPING TRACK: Juell Milder, left, associate product manager, speaks with Scott Duarte, sales executive, at My MOC Inc. in North Kingstown.

The technology company developed a cloud-based platform called MOCingbird to help clinicians keep track of requirements they need for various certifications.

PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

www.pbn.com | FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2021 | 25

Collaborative approach yields bright future

BY ISABELLA DELEO | Contributing Writer

LIGHTING CAN DO A LOT more than just set an atmosphere.

For Laura Wistow, marketing manager at Warwick-based Lumetta Inc., a manufacturer dedicated to the production and design of artisan-crafted lighting fixtures made in the United States – called luminaires – for commercial spaces, the appeal is the “art of light.”

In Lumetta’s 29 years, the company counts three inventions as among its greatest innovations: an antimicrobial diffuser material called Lumenate, a more transparent version called TransLumenate, and the contemporary design of the “Echo” collection, which was first created in 2018 and is also made of the Lumenate material.

The Lumenate materials are meant to be flexible, washable and can come in various opacities and shines, and can be equipped with custom graphics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lumetta added a space divider made from the same antimicrobial material to its roster, meeting a demand for tools that could aid with social distancing and reduce viral surface

transmission.

Browse the company’s website and you’ll come across a glowing array of products, including colorful hanging “Lite” pendants, “Echo” sconces that seem to pulsate with kinetic energy, and “Acoustic” lights that are designed to help control noise in a particular space.

Clients can buy pieces from the Lumetta website, or they can request custom modifications or designs.

“Sometimes, we’ll get a sketch on a napkin and say, ‘Can you guys engineer something that looks like this?’ ” Wistow said. And the company seems to happily oblige.

For Wistow, much of Lumetta’s success can be attributed to its collaborative approach to design and engineering.

“It’s really, really nice to be able to say, ‘Hey, we did this, we created this from scratch.’ There’s nothing like it on the planet,” Wistow said.

“We really get a lot of enjoyment from that. And having every single person in this plant be a part of that.” n

MANUFACTURING

‘It’s really, really nice to be able to say, “Hey, we did this, we created this from scratch.” ’

BRILLIANT JOB: Lumetta Inc. employees Mirna DeLaCruz, in the foreground, and Yonfi Polanco work at a light table in the manufacturer’s facilities in Warwick.

COURTESY LUMETTA INC.

LAURA WISTOW, Lumetta Inc. marketing manager

Empowering staff to drive change

BY HELENA TOUHEY | Contributing Writer

IN 2018, Children’s Friend and Service launched its Volunteer Army, an outgrowth of a strategic planning process and an effort to better serve its employees and clients.

Roughly a third of the organization’s 450 employees participated, and of that third, 60% were line staff and 40% were managers. They designed a series of program improvements, which led to the development of a staffed Innovation Lab. This lab, which is not a physical space but rather an approach to process, provides support for implementing strategic recommendations, as well as the creation and early implementation of new approaches to organizational challenges.

“Innovation at Children’s Friend is about creating a culture to empower and equip people throughout the organization,” said David Caprio, CEO and president, noting the goal is to be proactive instead of reactive to change, and to always be evolving. The Volunteer Army, he said, is a tool used to empower employees by providing “space and time for staff to be purposeful and playful around change.”

Children’s Friend was founded in 1834 and is based in Providence, where it has been serving the city

and surrounding communities for 187 years. Through its mission, the organization seeks to be an “innovative leader in improving the well-being and healthy development of Rhode Island’s most vulnerable young children.”

For Joshua Wizer-Vecchi, innovation manager, getting employee perspectives is central to ensuring the success of the organization’s mission, especially when that work spans 16 programs across 14 locations. He said some changes are “little ‘i’ innovations,” which can include “simple fixes,” such as streamlining the process for when people call the main line looking for a certain service and the staff member answering that call is able to transfer the client to the right department, smoothly and efficiently.

“There are a lot of moving parts and getting a lot of people across the organization to think together” is essential, said Owen Heleen, director of program development and innovation.

Enter the Volunteer Army, about to convene for the third time, still going strong and still a useful resource for gathering employee feedback and addressing ways that Children’s Friend can continue improving and innovating. n

NONPROFIT

‘Getting a lot of people across the organization to think together [is essential].’

OWEN HELEEN, Children’s Friend and Service director of program development and innovation

COLLABORATIVE CREW: Children’s Friend and Service employees, from left, Lucretia Lopez, enrollment supervisor; Joshua Wizer-Vecchi, innovation manager; Shelby Mack, standing, strategy manager; Owen Heleen, director of program development and innovation; Stacy Couto, chief of philanthropy; and Rachel Cooper, sitting middle, manager of family preservation, gather outside the organization’s Providence office.

PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

26 | SEPTEMBER 2021 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n FASTEST GROWING & INNOVATIVE COMPANIES | www.pbn.com

A PRiSM’s view into patient care

BY HUGH MINOR | Contributing Writer

REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING is the wave of the future in innovative medical technology, and Providence-based Healthcentric Advisors Inc. is leading the charge.

The company knows that patients need to be engaged beyond a physical office visit to maximize their health care. A regular checkup is no longer enough, particularly for people with chronic medical conditions.

That’s why Healthcentric Advisors developed and deployed digital health tools that provide physicians with reliable, between-visit information to help them determine the next clinical action for their patients.

“Moving into the digital space to better connect patients and providers was a natural transition to support the future of health care delivery and align with our organizational drivers of advancing health care quality and empowering people,” CEO John Keimig said.

Through the company’s PRiSM platform, doctors can collect data and offer interventions in a more timely and effective manner.

For example, patients with high blood pressure can monitor themselves, with the data being sent to their physician. They can include additional information, such as other symptoms they may be experi-

encing, via text.

These interventions have led to improved clinical outcomes, and both patient and provider satisfaction.

Using PRiSM, doctors reduced hypertension in 58% of participating patients within four weeks. The original goal was just 5%.

Given this success, the platform was expanded to address other conditions, including diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure. Qualitative data shows that improvements are already being seen in these areas.

Providers appreciate the ability to view a patient’s data in a clear, informative dashboard, saving time and improving care. Patients have more access to better health care when it can be provided remotely, particularly during a pandemic when people with chronic illness are more at risk.

“The goal for our remote services is to reach the widest group of patients in need,” said Lauren Capizzo, Healthcentric Advisors director of digital solutions and practice transformation. “Our team is proud to support providers and patients with a solution that improves clinical outcomes.” n

TECHNOLOGY

‘Our team is proud to support providers and patients with a solution that improves clinical outcomes.’

LAUREN CAPIZZO, Healthcentric Advisors Inc. director of digital solutions and practice transformation

WALKTHROUGH: Lauren Capizzo, left, director of digital solutions and practice transformation at medical technology company Healthcentric Advisors Inc. in Providence, walks through the company’s PRiSM platform, with colleagues Melissa Miranda, center, senior project program administrator; and Brenda Jenkins, senior program administrator.

PBN PHOTO/DAVE HANSEN

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