PBN June 12-18, 2020

PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS

PBN pbn.com

JUNE 12-18, 2020

GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS

EMPLOYEE CENTRIC STRATEGIES

PBN SUMMIT RECAP

Panelists: Right steps may smooth reopening | 16

5Q

Harrison Peters | 4

YOUR SOURCE FOR BUSINESS NEWS IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND | VOL. 35, NO. 12 | $2

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

Factories have lessons to offer in fighting virus

BY MARY MACDONALD | MacDonald@PBN.com

THROUGH HIS INVOLVEMENT in an international organization, Karl Wadensten knew what global manufacturers were doing to try to keep COVID-19 out of their workplaces.

Before Rhode Island had experienced community spread, he made changes at his company, Richmond-based VIBCO Inc. He took apart the company kitchen, ­replacing it with stainless steel cabinets for individual lunches.

Another change: for the first hour of each workday, everyone in the company, including Wadensten,

FOCUS:

MANUFACTURING

ALL OVER THE MAP

INUNDATED: Canine Corner Inc. co-owners Lisa Goulart, left, and Barbara Gariepy groom dogs at their Seekonk petgrooming service, which was allowed to open on May 25. Goulart said it took nearly a week for the pair to return the 350 messages left by pet owners after a two-month hiatus.

SEE FACTORIES

PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

PAGE 19

Differing reopening plans create cross-border advantages, impediments

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

CLUMPS

OF FUR FELL to the ground as B ­ arbara Gariepy shaved a small dog at Canine Corner Inc. in Seekonk recently. Surrounding her were a cluster of four-legged customers, waiting to be groomed, their squeals adding to the nearincessant ringing of the phone.

The work has been nonstop since Massachusetts announced pet-grooming services could resume under the first phase of reopening on May 25. Co-owner Lisa Goulart said it took her

and Gariepy nearly a week to return the 350 messages left by pet owners after a two-month hiatus.

While Canine Corner was closed, many regulars had taken their pets a mile down the road into Rhode Island, where groomers had been allowed to stay open. That frustrated Goulart.

Despite being inundated now, Goulart and Gariepy are relieved that customers have ­returned.

SEE REOPENING PAGE 12

MORE INSIDE: n Pandemic Diary: Exciting time for data analysis. Page 14

CHIEF EXECUTIVE CLEANER: Karl Wadensten, CEO and president of VIBCO Inc., steam-cleans an office chair, part of the daily process of keeping the coronavirus out of the Richmond factory.

COURTESY VIBCO INC.

n COVID-19 crisis highlights hazards of offshoring. Page 18

Announcing this year’s 40 Under Forty Honorees.

See page 31.

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | 1

CONTENTS

PBN

COVER STORY ALL OVER THE MAP Differing reopening plans create cross-border advantages, impediments................................... 1

FOR STARTERS

400 Westminster St. Providence, RI 02903

Business Best-sellers............................................................... 3 5Q: Harrison Peters.................................................................. 4 Franchisee: Jennifer and David Giardino................................ 5 Spotlight: Loft LLC.................................................................... 6 Something New: Anchor Fitness LLC...................................... 6 Hot Topic: Clarity crucial to taking a stand............................ 7 Who Owns the Block? Slater Road, Cranston........................ 8 News Briefs............................................................................... 9 What’s Happening....................................................................10

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

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

FRANCHISEE | 5

IT’S PERSONAL

ADVERTISING Advertising@PBN.com Fax: 401-274-0270

People in the News................................................................. 24 Mackay’s Moral....................................................................... 25 Guest Column: Chris Ciunci................................................... 26 Guest Column: Ari Trachtenberg........................................... 27 Editorials and Opinion............................................................ 28 One Last Thing: Les Hiscoe................................................... 30

Director of Sales and Marketing: Annemarie Brisson, 680-4800 Marketing and Events Manager: Donna Rofino, 680-4832 Marketing, Events & Social Media Coordinator: Tracy Hoyt, 680-4818

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS Pandemic Diary: An exciting time for data analysis.............14 Another Look: Stepping Up: Teachers’ masks catching on.....14 As guests return, hotels compete on cleanliness..................15

Senior Account Managers: Linda Foster, 680-4812 Jim Hanrahan, 680-4816

PBN GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS SUMMIT RECAP

Advertising Coordinator: Joyce Rylander, 680-4810

FOCUS: MANUFACTURING | 18

Panelists: Right steps may smooth reopening Panelists emphasized the importance of clear communication by employers and acceptance of new rules and regulations by employees for successfully reopening..... 16

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

Editor: Michael Mello, 680-4820

FOCUS: MANUFACTURING

Managing Editor: William Hamilton, 680-4826

Factories have lessons to offer in fighting virus

Web Editor: Chris Bergenheim, 680-4886

Allowed to remain open since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in March, Rhode Island manufacturers have had time to adapt their operations to reduce spread of the virus........... 1

Copy Editor: Matt Bower, 680-4824

Pandemic highlights hazards of offshoring

Special Projects Editor: James Bessette, 680-4838

Manufacturers have begun returning their overseas operations to North America as they recognize the costs and risks associated with offshoring, exacerbated by COVID-19........................................................18

(EDUCATION, NONPROFITS)

Staff Writers: Alexa Gagosz, 680-4828

ONE LAST THING | 30

List

Manufacturers......................................................................... 22

(HEALTH CARE, HOSPITALITY/TOURISM, WORKFORCE)

Nancy Lavin, 680-4822 (ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, FINANCIAL SERVICES)

Mary MacDonald, 680-4830 (GOVERNMENT, MANUFACTURING, REAL ESTATE/DEVELOPMENT)

THIS WEEK’S FEATURED COMPANIES Allie’s Donuts Inc.

7

NFI Corp.

18

Anchor Fitness LLC

6

Retailers Association of Massachusetts

12

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

16

Rhode Island Foundation

Boat House

13

Rhode Island Manufacturers Association

Brown University

4

Rhode Island Pride

Canine Corner Inc.

1

Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Community College of Rhode Island

9

R.I. Commerce Corp.

Complete HR Solutions

16

R.I. Department of Administration

Cooley Group

14

R.I. Department of Health

Cox Communications Daniele International LLC Doggie Styles Getting Back to Business Envision Technology Advisors LLC

4 19 9

R.I. State Police

4 18, 19 29 9 21 9 19 9

Sundaes Ice Cream

12

Taylor Farms New England Inc.

19

16

The Small Point Café Inc.

George’s Galilee Restaurant Inc.

13

Tiverton Casino Hotel

13

Hope Global

19

Twin River Casino Hotel

13

Hunt’s Photo & Video

12

Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc.

13

Johnson & Wales University Loft LLC

7

VIBCO Inc.

7

1

6

WaterRower Inc.

21

Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC

16

Youth Pride Inc.

29

Newport Restaurant Group

13

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

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

2 | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

Researcher: Cassius Shuman, 680-4884

PRODUCTION Production Director: Anne Ewing, 680-4860 Art Director: Lisa Lagreca, 680-4868

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

ADMINISTRATION Fax: 401-274-6580 Business Manager: Tammy D’Antuono, 680-4840

©2020 Providence Business News Inc.

Providence Business News is published weekly

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 BEST-SELLERS Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter Curtis Jackson Jackson, a musician and music mogul known as 50 Cent, writes about his life, with lessons and advice about embracing the changes that disrupt people’s lives.

He discusses his comeback after a tragic personal loss to becoming a thriving businessman and cable’s highest-paid executive.

Amistad ISBN: 978-0062953803 | $18

Fix This Next: Make the Vital Change That Will Level Up Your Business Mike Michalowicz Michalowicz details the diagnostic tool for self-evaluation of your operation’s weaknesses and inadequacies, explores where to direct attention for rapid growth and explains how to identify the hierarchy of needs to address to level up your business.

Portfolio ISBN: 978-0593084410 | $23

The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the Life of John Maynard Keynes

How Innovation Works: And Why It Flourishes in Freedom

Zachary D. Carter

Matt Ridley

Carter details the life and progressive ideology of economist John Maynard Keynes, while reflecting on the correlation to today’s debates over inequality and the power politics that shape the global order.

Ridley writes about the need to change the way we think about innovation, to see it as an incremental, bottomup process that happens to society as a direct result of the human habit of exchange, rather than a top-down process according to a plan.

Random House ISBN: 978-0525509035 | $21.50

Harper ISBN: 978-0062916594 | $27

The Hands-Off Investor: An Insider’s Guide to Investing in Passive Real Estate Syndications

Lead from the Future: How to Turn Visionary Thinking Into Breakthrough Growth

Brian Burke

Mark W. Johnson, Josh Suskewicz

Burke discusses skills to understand income, cash-flow projections and investor waterfalls; how to find syndication investment sponsors; and debt options, red flags, mistakes and tax implications when investing in passive real estate syndications.

BiggerPockets ISBN: 978-1947200272 | $24

The authors discuss a new way of thinking and managing, called “futureback,” that enables any manager to become a practical visionary.

Harvard Business review Press ISBN: 978-1633697546 | $26

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | 3

FOR STARTERS

5Q: Harrison Peters Superintendent, Providence Public School District

BY MARY MACDONALD | MacDonald@PBN.com

1

What is your assessment of the value of the distance education that students received this spring?

In Providence, we made a conscious decision to set high expectations for our students and educators related to distance learning. We also decided to make equity a guiding principle for implementing distance learning.

That meant all students needed access to technology. That also meant that every family should know whom to call and where to go for help. We set up a distance-learning call center to field questions and a customer-service outreach group to connect with families on an individual basis.

2

How do you see schools reopening in the fall? Will it be possible to have a traditional school ­experience?

Honestly, we do not want a traditional school experience. Rather, we hope to build on some of the innovations made during this crisis to create a better school experience. My team is working on a number of options for fall, from a modified opening of school buildings to a continuation of distance learning – and many options in between.

3 PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

How are you attracting top teachers to Providence?

I need to give credit to the teachers we have. The move to distance learning required unprecedented flexibility and learning on their part, and they rose to the challenge. Their adaptability and commitment have given me great encouragement as we contemplate the change that must come. My

team moved up our hiring timelines by a month and a half, with the support of our union leadership. This has helped us accelerate our internal hiring and become more competitive in the external job market.

4

How can Providence improve its curriculum to be culturally relevant and meet the needs of colleges and employers alike?

Each student comes to us with their own lived experience. We need to honor and build on those experiences.

We hired a chief equity and diversity officer to lead this work. At the high school level, Providence public schools offer an ethnic-studies curriculum that helps students understand the diverse and rich cultures represented in the district. Additionally, this fall, all our K-8 classrooms will transition to an English language arts curriculum that has culturally responsive and reflective materials.

5

How will you draw in the business community to the schools next year?

The business community is already on board and has been strategically supporting our distance-learning efforts.

Rhode Island Foundation, Brown University and Cox Communications … are helping us ensure our students have home-based Wi-Fi and hot spots. n

Honestly, we do not want a traditional school experience.

post jobs Recruitment headache?

Post your openings and reach qualified candidates from the Rhode Island business community on our high-traffic site.

Visit PBN.com/post-a-job/ 4 | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

FOR STARTERS Franchisee: Jennifer and David Giardino Dogtopia | 30 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick The pitch:

A day care for dogs that prides itself on cleanliness and safety, offering boarding, training and spa services, with an emphasis on education, exercise and socialization. Founded in 2002 and franchising since 2005, each facility averages between 2,500 and 7,500 square feet and is designed to have reduced odors, noise level, illnesses and accidents.

Years in business:

Opened Feb. 24

Employees: 15-20

DOGGY DAY CARE: Dogtopia co-owners David Giardino, left, and Jennifer Giardino, right, say hello to U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gretchen Evans and her hearingservice dog, Rusty.

The business offers dog day care and boarding services with an emphasis on education, exercise and socialization.

Cost to obtain franchise:

$49,500 initial fee; $757,253-$1.6 million initial investment; $1 million net worth requirement; $200,000 liquid cash requirement Before opening franchise: The Giardinos were involved in other businesses, which they continue to operate, before opening Dogtopia.

David Giardino owns Turino Group Inc., which is based in Providence and includes two divisions: Project Management Consulting and Custom Software/Systems Development, while Jennifer Giardino is co-owner of HulaFish Creative, a boutique marketing, strategy and design company in North Kingstown.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Reason for opening: The Giardinos wanted to operate a business together that could be passed down to their children. After several years of research, and being dog lovers, they decided to purchase a Dogtopia franchise.

They were also attracted to the franchise’s charitable organization, the Dogtopia Foundation, which funds programs for service dogs for veterans, youth literacy programs and employment initiatives for adults.

“Dealing with the city of Warwick, including the mayor and his team, went really well. They loved that we were bringing this national franchise to Warwick. They like the location; the property is where the old Bugaboo Creek Steak House was located. We repurposed the property. It was a perfect fit.”

– David Giardino

Franchise owners interested in being included in an upcoming Franchisee feature can contact PBN Researcher Cassius Shuman at (401) 680-4884 or Shuman@PBN.com.

“It’s like a regular day care; you see these dogs learn and grow. We care for about 30 to 40 dogs per day. It’s growing weekly since we opened. We have the capacity for 150 dogs. Our building contains 7,600 square feet inside, and 1,600 square feet outdoors. … We have four really good-size rooms, and the dogs are placed based on play style, temperament and size.”

– David Giardino

2020

SPECIAL PUBLICATION

LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF CRISIS SMITH COMPANY IN TH IS TOGETHER

As the economy in Rhode Island begins to reopen, PBN is offering a special edition to help area businesses relaunch their marketing efforts and create an atmosphere of collective leadership.

To our Rhode Island Business Community

SMITH COMPANY I N TH I S TO G E TH E R

RESILENCE IN THE FACE OF

ADVERSITY SMITHCOMPANY.COM Easy Monitoring

People Development

Marketing Strategy

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Roy Jaredson President and CEO Smith Company

543 Smith Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 | SmithCompany.com | [401] 333-1234

The issue will be a compilation of letters to the business community from Presidents and CEOs, highlighting their commitment to helping the state bounce back, coupled with a full page ad adjacent to the letters. It will be will be published online and emailed to over 20,000 PBN readers and widely promoted on all our digital channels including our daily e-newsletters, social platforms and on PBN.com with over 134,000 visitors per month.

DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JUNE 19 PUBLICATION DATE: FRIDAY, JUNE 26 TO PARTICIPATE, CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT MANAGER OR ADVERTISING@PBN.COM I 401-680-4800 www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | 5

FOR STARTERS SOMETHING NEW

SPOTLIGHT

TACTILE TRAINER: Kevin Davis spent 15 years working as a personal trainer in various gyms before setting out on his own and launching Anchor Fitness LLC in Middletown in September.

PBN PHOTO/KATE WHITNEY LUCEY

Bad injury sparks a passion

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

A broken back ended Kevin Davis’ skateboarding career.

But the injury also forced the Portsmouth native into a gym, igniting a new passion and the start of a career in personal training. A University of Massachusetts graduate with a degree in exercise science, along with a slew of industry certifications, Davis spent 15 years working as a personal trainer for various gyms on Aquidneck Island. In September, Davis struck out on his own with a mission to “put the personal back in personal training.”

Since launching Anchor Fitness LLC in Middletown, Davis has gained a small but loyal group of clients ranging from athletes to stay-at-home moms who flock to his one-on-one and group class offerings.

While the physical space was forced to close for several months amid the coronavirus pandemic, Davis maintained most of his clients, replacing in-person training sessions with those conducted over Zoom and gym equipment with bodyweight exercises.

A self-described “tactile trainer,” he was eager to resume in-person coaching, anticipating a surge in demand as stir-crazy residents seek new ways to get out and stay healthy. Personal training sessions start at $80 for one hour, and group classes cost $10 per class. n

RESPONSIBLE CHANGE: The staff at Loft LLC, an industrial design company, has recently pivoted its work to designing and building contactless COVID-19 testing trailers for use by the R.I. National Guard. From left, Jeanette Numbers, co-founder; Nari Shin, designer/textile expert; and Scott Noh, product design.

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Designed for innovation Loft adapts to new reality

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

JEANETTE NUMBERS WAS the rare kind of teenager who knew exactly what she wanted to do professionally.

Realizing her interest in industrial design – originally through a passion specifically for automotive design – the then-high school student in Ohio set about forging the start to a decadeslong career spanning multiple companies and coastlines: from Fisher-Price to a series of West Coast agencies and most recently, co-founding her own firm in Providence, Loft LLC. Throughout her many jobs and locations, her passion for industrial design, which she described as a hybrid of art and science, has never wavered.

Since starting Loft eight years ago, Numbers and co-founder Gregor Mittersinker have grown the company substantially: hiring staff, growing its client base to include major companies such as Bose, upping yearly revenue, and, last year, buying its own space on Bassett Street to serve expanded design operations, as well as community and incubator programs for the design and startup communities.

COVID-19 ripped apart those plans. With large-scale events and community gatherings now moved to the virtual world, Numbers and the Loft team have had to reimagine

ways to repurpose the Bassett Street space while generating new business amid economic uncertainty.

Numbers said the pandemic is an opportunity to return to Loft’s roots of innovation and agility, moving away from plans to make 2020 a year of picking up bigger clients.

Instead, Numbers plans to focus on smaller companies that develop science- and technology-related products.

Despite these changes, and their impact to their bottom line, Numbers said her business continues to focus on the practical over the conceptual: delivering a specific product into the world through physical and digital design engineering.

“At the end of the day, industrial design is the juxtaposition between man and machine,” she explained.

OWNERS: Jeanette Numbers and Gregor Mittersinker

LOCATION: 19 Bassett St., Unit 240, Providence

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Industrial design

EMPLOYEES: 12

6 | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

“It’s about making a product usable for a human.”

A recent example of this type of product was the design and construction of a contactless trailer to be used for COVID-19 tests, developed through a partnership with R.I. Commerce Corp. and the R.I. National Guard.

Numbers highlighted the importance of industrial design in developing solutions to deal with the health and economic ramifications of the pandemic.

“We are folks who can bring responsible change,” she said.

Even before the pandemic, growing the state’s fledgling industrialdesign industry was a priority, part of the reason why Loft moved to larger space in order to host events and programming, Numbers said.

One obstacle to that vision – in Rhode Island and across the nation – is the rise of Instagram influencers, on whom Numbers blamed the “vanillification” of design.

The pervasive use of a similar design – think coral colors and sansserif fonts – has led to the incorrect impression that this one “brand” is the best and only way to appeal to consumers.

“We have lost our way in what design-thinking really is,” Numbers said. “It’s user-driven, and it’s more than just color and materials.” n YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2012 ANNUAL SALES: $2.2 million (in 2019)

FOR STARTERS HOT TOPIC

Clarity crucial to taking a stand

BY NANCY LAVIN | Lavin@PBN.com

SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS can be a complex place for businesses to tread while protests continue nationwide in the wake of George Floyd’s death while in police custody in ­Minneapolis on May 25.

Such was the case for Allie’s Donuts Inc., which recently posted on Instagram that the North Kingstown shop would end its discount for military and police officers. The post became a national news story with floods of online comments and a line of protesters and supporters outside the business.

It exemplifies the power small-business owners hold in influencing their community, and in turn, the importance of developing a strategy before taking to Instagram or other social media outlets, said Kristen Regine, a professor in the College of Business at Johnson & Wales ­University.

“This is a prime time for small businesses to do good in their communities,” Regine explained. “People are really listening and are going to determine whether they want to support you as a brand based on what you say and how you say it.”

Indeed, Allie’s saw reactions across the spectrum. The day after the June

6 post, the store reported lines out the door from customers eager to show their support. But opponents also flocked to the shop and to social media with vitriolic comments about the decision.

Businesses that take a stance on hot-button issues should be prepared for repercussions, Regine said. Clarity and editing are also integral to a good communication strategy – two things Allie’s appeared to lack.

Regine described the original post as somewhat confusing, leaving customers to draw their own conclusions about whether the end of the discount

was a show of support for the Black Lives Matter movement or an unfair criticism of law enforcement.

While owner Matt Drescher in a subsequent Instagram video defended his stance, he acknowledged that the original message – which directly addressed military and police officers, saying “Shame on you for your silence” – failed to convey his true intentions.

“I just wanted to take away a privilege from people so that we could all be equal ... and make a doughnut worth the same amount to every single person that wanted one,” Drescher said in the video.

The 14-minute speech also lacked the kind of concise clarity Regine considered best practices for a business’s social media presence.

Drescher could not be reached for comment.

Hiring a social media expert to develop posts may be beyond the

budget and scope of a small business.

At minimum, Regine advised a basic two-person editing process for any social media posts.

Asked if business owners should steer clear of political or social issues, Regine emphasized that it was an individual choice, though one that necessitated a well-developed strategy.

Adam Buck, owner of The Small Point Café Inc. in downtown Providence, agreed.

“I’ve always worn my politics on my sleeve,” he said. “I don’t argue with people at the cafe about politics, but I will stand up for what I believe in.”

Like Regine, Buck warned that making a political statement as a small-business owner meant being prepared for potential backlash.

“Being a small-business owner means you know your customers, versus a large restaurant chain where there is a level of distance,” he said. n

‘This is a prime time for small businesses to do good in their communities.’

KRISTEN REGINE, Johnson & Wales University business professor

Personalized, hands-on service to guide you in choosing the right products for your business.

Smarter Business Banking • Checking Accounts • Online Cash Management • Merchant Services

Crystal Thompson Business Banker 401-729-4087

Pawtucket Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | 7

FOR STARTERS WHO OWNS THE BLOCK?

Slater Road (Pontiac Avenue to Kenney Drive) CRANSTON

KENN

EY DR IVE

41 SLATER ROAD (1988) OWNER: Slater Realty LLC TENANTS: Iselann Moss Industries Inc., Just Rite Golf Tee

40 SLATER ROAD (1989) OWNER: Moran Associates LLC TENANT: McLaughlin & Moran Inc.

31 SLATER ROAD (1987)

ER

T SLA

OWNER: M. Solomon Casket Co. TENANTS: M. Solomon Casket Co., Memorial Products Corp.

D ROA

26 SLATER ROAD (1990) OWNER: Bocada Enterprises LLP TENANT: Tasca Truck Center

25 SLATER ROAD (1988) OWNER: G3 Slater Road LLC TENANT: Tasca Parts Center

PO

NT

2 SLATER ROAD (1989) OWNER: Swarovski North America Ltd. TENANT: Swarovski Optik

IA C

AV E

NU

E

21 SLATER ROAD (1988) OWNER: Stanco LLC TENANT: Miniature Casting Corp.

3 SLATER ROAD (1999)

1 GODDARD DRIVE (1990)

OWNER: Eight Grandchildren Ltd.

OWNER: RJ Carbone Co.

TENANT: F.W. Webb Co.

TENANT: RJ Carbone Wholesale Florist & Floral Supplies

5 SLATER ROAD (1985) PBN RESEARCH AND PHOTOS/CASSIUS SHUMAN PBN GRAPHIC/LISA LAGRECA

OWNER: PRS Land Associates LLC TENANT: Cooley Group

8 | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

NEWS BRIEFS | FOR STARTERS R.I. details up to $1.1B in federal COVID-19 spending PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island has spent or committed less than $185 million of the $1.25 billion it will receive from the federal government for COVID-19 efforts.

But a projection released June 9 by the R.I. Department of Administration shows how it plans to spend as much as another $1.1 billion.

According to the projection, $130 million to $150 million is planned for hospital assistance; $32.8 million to $44.5 million for congregant care and child assistance care; $98.1 million to $151.3 million for personal protective equipment and medical supplies; $227.4 million to $267.8 million for testing and lab services; $27.2 million to $27.9 million for contact-tracing efforts; $20.1 million for quarantine and isolation services; $17.3 million to $19.2 million for technical requirements, including Crush COVID RI app support; $6.5 million for rental assistance; $19.6 million for education programming; and $83.4 million to $189.8 million for field and surge hospitals. n

Report: Community colleges may see fall enrollment spike

NEA Tiverton votes no confidence in Sanchioni

PROVIDENCE – As local colleges face uncertainty of what their enrollments will be for the upcoming fall semester because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts, a study released June 8 by research group Eduventures shows that community colleges could see increased enrollment come September.

Community colleges, the report says, have previously seen enrollment increases when there has been economic downturn, citing an 18% jump in community college enrollment between 1999 and 2002, the era of the dotcom industry downfall, and a 16% increase between 2007 and 2011, the height of the Great Recession.

Richard Garrett, Eduventures’ chief research officer and author of the report, said adult learners looking for an “additional economic lift” and younger students, especially from lower-income families, may seek community college in the fall.

The Community College of Rhode Island announced in May it intends to have in-person learning in the fall. n

TIVERTON – The National Education Association Tiverton voted no confidence in Superintendent Peter Sanchioni, WJAR-TV NBC 10 reported June 9.

“While the vote was unanimous, a few members not in attendance did not agree with this step,” the union wrote in a news release.

The vote was taken after the school district fired special education teacher Amy Mullen two months ago.

Mullen sued the district for First Amendment violations, claiming she was terminated after her efforts to include the union in distance-learning plans.

In a statement to WJAR-TV, school district attorney Stephen Robinson said the lawsuit has no merit and the termination was due to “a series of incidents where she has engaged in unprofessional and disruptive behavior.”

NEA Tiverton listed four concerns with Sanchioni: Mullen’s termination; the perpetuation of a distressing culture; ineffective leadership; and failure to understand the necessity of educating the whole child.

The union, which has 185 local and regional members, is calling for an independent investigation. n

Arrest warrant issued for Doggie Styles owner NORTH SMITHFIELD – An arrest warrant has been issued to Doggie Styles pet spa owner John Froais for violating terms of his bail, WLNE-TV ABC 6 reported.

A search warrant was served by the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the R.I. State Police and the state veterinarian after RISPCA discovered a litter of six French bulldog puppies at the pet spa on June 9, according to RISPCA President Joe Warzycha.

Froais has owned the grooming business and kennel for 28 years.

In January, Froais was charged with four counts of felony cruelty to animals and five counts of unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine after four puppies died while under his care, WLNE-TV reported. He was also ordered to have no contact with animals.

The puppies have been examined by a veterinarian and are being cared for by the RISPCA, which said the dogs are not being offered for adoption right now. n

Salvatore calls on city to aid damaged stores PROVIDENCE – City Councilman David Salvatore is calling on the city to assist businesses that incurred damage during the recent riot.

Salvatore released a statement referencing R.I. General Law 45-15-13.

“Per the state statute, affected businesses are entitled to receive threefourths of the value of damage resulting from unlawful acts that occurred with six or more people in the municipality where the event took place,” Salvatore said in the statement.

Businesses that wish to take advantage of the law are required to comply by attesting under oath to the amount of damages they incurred from the incident.

“If this is the route that any of our businesses that were affected by … [the] rioting wish to take, the city needs to ensure that they can expedite the process to help our business community get back on their feet,” Salvatore said in the statement. n

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FOR STARTERS | WHAT’S HAPPENING Talk PPP loan rules SCORE RHODE ISLAND and its newly launched Restart Rhode Island program are hosting a Zoom forum to provide information and updates regarding a congressional amendment to the Paycheck Protection Program.

The forum will address loan rules, including the forgiveness coverage period, loan maturity, and the split between covered payroll and nonpayroll costs. The forum’s presenters will walk participants through PPP loan changes, describe how they could apply to your business and offer guidance. A panel of SCORE Rhode Island and U.S. Small Business Administration experts will answer questions on these changes and how they could impact you.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1-2 P.M. Free

PROTECT AND GROW: Ashley Micciche, CEO of True North Retirement Advisors, on July 2 will host a forum about protecting and growing your business during a pandemic.

COURTESY ASHLEY MICCICHE

EDITOR’S CHOICE:

Learn how to grow your business during a pandemic

Online webinar.

ASHLEY MICCICHE, a certified business exit planner and CEO of True North Retirement Advisors, is hosting a webinar to discuss ways to protect and grow the value of your business during a pandemic. Participants will learn how to value their business in less than 10 minutes; a simple and easy way to protect their business, employees and key stakeholders if they become deceased or disabled; why the combination of low valuations and favorable taxes make now an ideal time for family businesses to transfer ownership to the next generation and why this opportunity may soon evaporate; and how a strategic acquisition can accelerate your future growth.

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 11 A.M. TO NOON Free Online webinar.

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Virtual town hall THE SOUTHCOAST CHAMBER of Commerce is hosting a virtual town hall on Zoom that will feature Mike Kennealy, who is the Mass. secretary of housing and economic development. During this virtual, interactive event, Kennealy will discuss the

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current economic climate and the impact COVID-19 has had on business development throughout the Bay State’s south coast region. Participants can submit questions ahead of time by emailing to deven@onesouthcoast.com. The Chamber represents constituents in southeastern Massachusetts.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 9-10 A.M. Free Online webinar.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3hdfcXu

Manage your cash better SCORE RHODE ISLAND’S Restart Rhode Island program is hosting a Zoom forum to discuss how to manage sales, inventory, pricing, supply chain, vendor payments, marketing and more. The forum’s presenters will focus on how customer behaviors have changed and how reopening guidelines create additional costs and constraints. Participants will learn how to predict, manage and improve their business’s cash flow. SCORE RI experts will include several certified public accountants whose practices focus on assisting small businesses.

They will offer the tools, techniques and strategies needed to manage cash flow effectively. An interactive Q&A will follow the discussion.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1-2 P.M. Free

WHAT’S HAPPENING | FOR STARTERS Online webinar.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/2YcMaP6

Building new relationships THE CENTRAL RHODE Island Chamber of Commerce is hosting a virtual luncheon via Zoom to provide participants with a forum to build relationships for generating potential new customers and clients while strengthening connections to existing ones. Participants will be able to share their 60-second commercial to help other attendees better understand what they do, what they have to offer and who they need to meet. The Chamber will assist participants in connecting with potential customers and referral sources.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 12:30-1:30 P.M. $5/members; $10/nonmembers Online webinar.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3gUf5jf

Turn service into product JOHN WARRILLOW and Brian A. Trzcinski will be hosting a discussion about turning the service your business provides into a tangible product that can be sold in the mar-

2 02

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ketplace. Warrillow, founder of The Value Builder System, and Trzcinski, director of business market development at MassMutual, will provide information about the consumer shift in behavior brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and how consumers are buying products that meet an immediate need. The hosts will explain how service providers can capitalize on this behavior to productize their service or services.

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2-3 P.M. Free Online webinar.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3dxWGGW

Managing remotely RANDY PENFIL, a speaker for the Grow with Google partner program who has more than 20 years of experience helping small businesses and nonprofits improve their digital marketing, is hosting a webinar to explain how to connect with customers and manage a business remotely. Penfil will introduce digital tools that can

Interested in having your business-related event included in What’s Happening? Contact PBN Researcher Cassius Shuman at (401) 680-4884 or Shuman@PBN.com.

help business owners strengthen connections while working and managing their business remotely. Participants will learn how to update critical business information online; keep customers informed; conduct virtual meetings; access important files from anywhere; and acquire insights on more online and timely resources for small businesses.

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1-2 P.M. Free Online webinar.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/2XEvPnf

Discussing tech trends STEVE HOFFMAN, chairman and CEO of Founders Space, one of the world’s leading incubators and accelerators, is hosting a webinar to discuss the future of technology and business so companies can thrive. An angel investor, limited partner at August Capital, serial entrepreneur and author of several award-winning books, Hoffman will discuss the latest trends in technology and how they will affect businesses, as well as new opportunities and where venture capitalists are focusing their attention and investments. Participants will learn where to find new opportunities, as well as technological breakthroughs that will shape industries and the economy in the future.

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2-3 P.M. Free Online webinar.

INFO AND REGISTRATION: bit.ly/2XDv0eh

Publishing a website JENNA SHAFFER, a digital marketing professional for Constant Contact, will be hosting a webinar to provide tips for publishing a website. Shaffer will show participants the best practices for building a website, including four questions your homepage must answer before you hit publish; the real purpose of your about page and how to create one your visitors want to read; how to make it easy for visitors to find and contact you; tips for using images on these pages; and advice regarding e-commerce and shopping-cart landing pages.

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1-2 P.M. Free Online webinar.

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CORONAVIRUS CRISIS REOPENING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Though Rhode Island has employed a gradual approach to lifting its COVID-19-related restrictions, its bordering states have been

the last and slowest to begin economic reopening.

Disparities in policies among Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut have put businesses along state lines in a bind, adding competition, anxiety and confusion to the already difficult process of recapturing a fraction of the revenue lost during the shutdown.

Retailers Association of Massachusetts President Jon Hurst said in a statement that he was “disappointed and frustrated” by the Bay State’s reopening plan, which he said left many vulnerable retailers and restaurants at a competitive disadvantage compared with neighboring states.

As of early June, Rhode Island had already allowed indoor diners at restaurants and shoppers at nonessential stores, in limited numbers. Fitness centers were opening, too.

At the same time, Massachusetts moved slower into its phase two, with Gov. Charlie Baker allowing activities such as outdoor table service and limited retail, beginning on June 8.

In Connecticut, retail stores are open already, but activities such as indoor dining and workouts at fitness centers are expected to be prohibited until the rollout of Connecticut’s phase two on June 17.

Even within Rhode Island, the once-united approach among the state’s 39 cities and towns showed cracks, as some municipalities consider straying from state guidelines to better address the needs of their own communities.

WAIT TIME Navigating differences in state business regulations is nothing new to Ken Schneider, who owns ice cream stands in Johnston, Cranston and Seekonk in Massachusetts. But opening the three seasonal Sundaes Ice Cream shops this year presented challenges due to stricter – and more disparate – coronavirus requirements.

While the two Rhode Island shops opened in early April, the flagship Seekonk location remained closed for another six weeks.

Schneider blamed the delay on Seekonk, which laid out more stringent reopening requirements and a delayed review process.

“It was frustrating,” Schneider said of the delay before the town finally approved his reopening plan. “It’s business.

It’s money. It’s my manager’s

‘It was frustrating.

It’s business. It’s money. It’s my manager’s full-time job on the line.’

KEN SCHNEIDER, Sundaes Ice Cream owner full-time job on the line and all the workers. This is their summer job.”

Schneider was unable to pinpoint exactly what the holdup was and the Seekonk Health Department did not return multiple phone calls for comment. The Taunton Avenue store has now reopened – although seating is not allowed, Schneider’s anxiety has been eased.

But other businesses that recently received the green light to reopen remain worried.

The doors to five Massachusetts locations of Hunt’s Photo & Video had been locked until June 8 while the company’s Providence and Manchester, N.H., locations have been open after those states gave the go-ahead several weeks prior, albeit with restrictions.

With curbside pickup in Massachusetts generating only a fraction of the company’s usual revenue in recent weeks, CEO and President Scott Farber said he was concerned about the future of the business. In years past, most of the sales came from Hunt’s Massachusetts stores, but along with the delay in reopening, there is a difference of attitude among consumers between the states, Farber said.

“The public perception of what’s going on is very different,” he said. “The general public in Massachusetts, because of the way the state’s framed the crisis, is not ready to flood back into stores, so though I’d love to have stores open, I don’t believe people are ready to go shopping there yet.”

Indeed, the Greater Boston area where several of Hunt’s stores are located has been a hot spot for

DOUBLE SCOOP: Ken Schneider, owner of Sundaes Ice Cream locations in Johnston, Cranston and Seekonk, prepares an ice cream cone at the Johnson location.

Schneider was frustrated that his flagship Seekonk location was closed for an additional six weeks after his Rhode Island locations were allowed to reopen in early April with restrictions, such as directional arrows and spacing for social distancing and wearing gloves and masks.

PBN PHOTOS/PAMELA BHATIA

12 | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

COVID-19 cases, making stricter and slower reopening guidelines more appropriate than in New Hampshire and Rhode Island, Farber said.

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES Within Rhode Island, the concentration of cases in Central Falls, which has seen the highest percapita rate of any municipality in the state and continues to climb, gave Mayor James A. Diossa pause when considering economic reopening.

Diossa originally told Providence Business News that he would not begin the first phase of reopening in tandem with the state, but later changed his mind.

He attributed the change of heart, in part, to trying to balance the health crisis with the survival of city businesses that are already struggling.

Prohibiting retail and restaurant dining would put Central Falls business owners at even more of a disadvantage, he said.

Should the spread of the virus within the city worsen, Diossa said, he could reimpose a total shutdown.

“The governor is looking at the whole state, and seeing the new daily positives are not very much,” he said. “But from our standpoint, the situation is very different. My biggest priority is the health of this city.”

Acknowledging that case counts in the state’s urban core, including Central Falls, remained “stubbornly high,” Gov. Gina M. Raimondo has expressed support for those communities imposing more-stringent restrictions. But when a proposal

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS PEP TALK: Kevin Durfee, owner of George’s of Galilee restaurant in Narragansett, talks to his staff during a lunch shift. Durfee says businesses know how to keep people safe and should be allowed to reopen as long as they can ensure social-distancing measures.

PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

‘Small businesses are literally bleeding. I was trying to stem the tide.’

in Narragansett in May sought to exempt local police from enforcing coronavirus-related state executive orders, Raimondo called it “reckless,” and “selfish.”

The proposal introduced by Narragansett Town Council President Matthew Mannix was withdrawn when it was clear it didn’t have enough support. But Mannix defended the idea and the importance of town autonomy in making decisions related to COVID-19.

Calling the state’s restrictions on small businesses “anti-entrepreneur,” Mannix said he hoped his proposal would give struggling mom-and-pop shops a little leeway to reopen ahead of the state.

“Small businesses are literally bleeding,” he said. “I was trying to stem the tide.

“I think every city and town should have some degree of autonomy to say, ‘This is what we can do to represent our residents,’ ” he added.

Kevin Durfee, owner of George’s Galilee Restaurant Inc. in Narragansett, supported Mannix’s proposal. The intent to give small businesses flexibility to make their own judgement calls was a good one, he said.

He also credited Mannix’s proposal, in conjunction with urging from state restaurant groups, with putting pressure on Raimondo to allow indoor dining starting June 1.

“We’re not children. We know how to keep people safe,” Durfee said. “I think all businesses should be allowed to reopen providing they can have social-distancing measures.”

in Pawcatuck, decided to open her salon anyway.

She served about 15 customers for a single day before receiving a cease-and-desist order.

Thibodeau faulted Lamont for the 11th-hour change of heart, which Lamont said was in part to align with Rhode Island guidelines for reopening.

“I wouldn’t have had a problem if he made that decision originally,” Thibodeau said. “To come at us 40 hours beforehand, that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”

Like Durfee, Thibodeau said it should not be up to the governor to set policies for individual businesses.

“He’s supposed to see to the health and safety issues, not controlling the market,” she said.

WILLING TO GAMBLE

RESPONSIBLE REOPENING

The varied reopening speeds among the states could create a momentary advantage for Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc., owner of Twin River Casino Hotel and Tiverton Casino Hotel in Rhode Island.

While tribal-owned Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun resumed operations on June 1, ignoring Conn. Gov. Ned Lamont’s pleas to remain closed, and the Rhode Island casinos opened on a limited basis on June 8, Massachusetts has kept its casinos shuttered indefinitely. That includes the Encore Boston Harbor, which had cut into Twin River’s gaming revenue since it opened last year.

Encore and Twin River downplayed the significance of disparities in reopening timelines, each saying it was focused on its own reopening.

Frustrated with Connecticut’s decision to postpone hair salons reopening from May 20 to June 1, Cat Thibodeau, owner of Modern Barber & Shave

MATTHEW MANNIX, Narragansett Town Council president

was “slim to none.”

Lack of compliance sparked one City Council member to propose mandatory mask-wearing downtown at all times – a step beyond Raimondo’s edict that gives leeway for outside settings when people can stay 6 feet apart. The resolution, slated for a vote in May, was postponed due to questions over enforcement.

In a workshop with Council members, Nicholson also suggested limiting town restaurants’ sales of takeout alcohol, citing problems with public drinking. Pledging to work with local restaurants on the issue, Nicholson said he was not worried such restrictions would put the already hard-hit Newport restaurateurs at a disadvantage compared with other communities “You’ve got a responsibility not only to restaurants but to the people that live here and the people that frequent these places,” he said. “It’s about creating the right balance.”

Casey Riley, chief operating officer of Newport Restaurant Group, which owns and operates restaurants throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including in Newport, was unbothered by the potential to limit takeout alcohol sales. Since Rhode Island has allowed indoor and outdoor dining, the company was beginning to see its revenue climb, including its alcohol sales.

“That’s where alcohol service really shines best,” Riley said of indoor and outdoor dining.

“You can get a draft beer, a cocktail in a cocktail glass, a wine in a wine glass.”

That Massachusetts had limited restaurants to curbside pickup and delivery until June 8 was seen as a boon for the Rhode Island restaurant scene, at least temporarily. Looking out over the parking lot of the Boat House in Tiverton on a warm Friday afternoon in late May, Riley said half the license plates were from Massachusetts.

Of course, that meant Newport Restaurant Group’s Massachusetts restaurants were among those potentially losing customers to Rhode Island, but Riley was reluctant to criticize Bay State leaders for the slower pace of reopening.

“For the most part, I think everyone understands that businesses are underwater ... and are doing the best they can to expedite the process as much as possible,” he said. n

Raimondo has repeatedly emphasized the importance of compliance with state rules in order to continue a phased economic reopening.

Though Raimondo lauded state residents and businesses for mask-wearing and social distancing over Memorial Day weekend, that was not the experience in Newport, where City Manager Joe Nicholson said compliance on busy Thames Street

RELIEVED: Canine Corner Inc. co-owner Lisa Goulart was frustrated that pet-grooming services, such as hers in Seekonk, were shut down in Massachusetts while they were allowed to remain open in Rhode Island, but she’s now relieved to have customers return after being allowed to reopen on May 25.

PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | 13

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS | PANDEMIC DIARY An exciting time for data analysis

BY DANIEL DWIGHT

(Editor’s note: This is the ninth installment in a weekly series on how Cooley Group is managing the COVID-19 pandemic, from the perspective of its CEO.) THROUGHOUT THE GLOBAL disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, my No. 1 priority has been the health and safety of Cooley Group’s employees, followed closely by novel strategies and effective leadership to minimize disruptions to our daily operations. Some COVID-19 disruptions will be temporary, such as mandating masks throughout the factory. Others, such as social distancing and eliminating business travel, distinctly challenge the way we operate.

Not too long ago, our production lines required technicians to perform manual adjustments in a highly intricate, almost artistic process. As you can imagine, this manual process did not lend itself to agile production-line operations or efficient production-line maintenance and changeovers.

Therefore, we invested in upgrading Cooley’s analog processes into digital alternatives. Our digitized production lines allow technicians to capture data and perform analytics to optimize production lines on the fly. With the change in product demands caused by COVID-19, Cooley’s ability to make efficient, real-time, data-based decisions saved us unplanned downtime and reduced scrap.

Cooley also took a multifaceted approach to health and safety changes on our manufacturing floors. First, because of social-distancing protocols, we equipped our extrusion lines with monitors to display real-time performance data. This eliminated the need for operators to engage face to face with their colleagues to manage line performance.

Second, we eliminated common touch areas by

A SPECIAL TOUCH: Cooley Group team leader Arnold McLaughlin operates an extruder via a touchscreen monitor at Cooley’s Pawtucket location.

COURTESY COOLEY GROUP

providing our production floor operators with tablets to enter key information regarding specific extrusion lines. Third, with camera technology, our operators were to able view the manufacturing processes while standing in a defined area rather

Our digitized production lines allow technicians to … optimize production lines on the fly.

than having to walk up and down the line, crossing paths with co-workers.

Because Cooley is a manufacturing company with multiple locations, operational oversight and consistency across each location is a challenge when travel between locations is infeasible. The leadership has found innovative ways to manage operational oversight remotely. We used our internal manufacturing execution system to establish information transparency, which allows us to review the performance of the manufacturing shop orders against our manufacturing standards – even at a distance. We also review our manufacturing key performance indicators using an internal datamanagement system, which captures data in real time. Combining the data collection and analysis with our video communications platform, manufacturing teams in different locations share lessons learned remotely.

During the production launch of our new medical-gown material, the product coming off our South Carolina production lines did not match the performance of the Rhode Island trials for the same product. Because of our data-management system, the Rhode Island team was able to virtually review the live data stream from the South Carolina runs.

As a result, the two teams identified the discrepancy during a video conference. This review allowed us to make critical adjustments live, ensuring a timely development process and consistent product quality at all locations.

As we continue to work through this unprecedented time, several opportunities for change present themselves. We will continue to leverage the data-based advancements we instituted over the last few months to allow for decentralized, efficient and optimized decision-making. Data empowers machine operators to react decisively and in real time to ensure our processes are meeting the required product-quality specifications across multiple locations. n Daniel Dwight is CEO and president of Pawtucketbased Cooley Group.

PBN.COM | ANOTHER LOOK Stepping Up: Teachers’ masks catching on

BY JAMES BESSETTE | Bessette@PBN.com

(Editor’s note: A version of this story was first published on PBN.com on June 9.)

PROVIDENCE – Former East Providence High School teacher Linda Harnois and Johnston-based Thornton Elementary School teacher Linda Greco had a conversation recently on what life will be like wearing face coverings in public as life slowly returns to normal during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One question that came up: How will schools look with students and teachers wearing masks, if in-person classes are held in September? “[Greco] said ‘Lin, I can’t imagine going back to school teaching first grade without students seeing my mouth, especially teaching them phonetics and all of that,’ ” Harnois told Providence Business News. “I said ‘I know, it’s going to be crazy.’ ” A few days later, Greco and Harnois came up with an idea to create masks in which faces were both covered and exposed at the same time. The mask made by the two teachers, called “The Communicator,” is designed with a clear covering that allows the mouth to be visible, surrounded by patterned cloth.

Initially, the idea to create a Facebook page for

their venture was meant to be “a joke,” Harnois said. But laughs turned into complete shock when their creations generated a worldwide response.

Ten days after launching, Harnois and Greco had made approximately 400 masks for orders over social media. Harnois said the two are making the masks by hand, creating about 10 masks an hour between them. They’re trying to keep up with demand.

Harnois said she and Greco received inquiries from doctors in New York, as well as from various teachers, principals, individuals who are hearingimpaired and others. Calls were even coming in from Europe, such as Finland and Austria, Harnois said.

“I was just so overwhelmed, I called a lawyer because we need to copyright and patent it. I think this is going to go international. We’re just sitting here in shock,” Harnois said. “We’re just getting all of our orders through Facebook, but we didn’t think it would fly like this.”

The masks can be ordered through Greco and Harnois’ Facebook page. Greco said the duo is working on getting more help to make the masks, and they are planning to continue making the masks throughout the next school year. n

14 | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

LOCAL TEACHERS: Linda Harnois, left, and Linda Greco have created face masks with a clear covering to allow faces to remain visible while wearing them.

COURTESY LINDA GRECO

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

As guests return, hotels compete on cleanliness

BY DEE-ANN DURBIN | The Associated Press

MARRIOTT,

Hilton and other big hotel companies are used to competing on price or perks. Now they are competing on ­cleanliness.

From masked clerks at the front desk to shuttered buffets, hotels are making visible changes in the wake of the pandemic.

Hotels are still mostly empty; in the U.S., occupancy stood at 37% the week ending May 30, down 43% from the same period a year ago, according to STR, a data and consulting firm. But leisure travel is starting to pick up, and hotels see cleaning standards as a way to soothe jittery guests – and possibly win back business from rivals such as Airbnb.

“I think, more than ever, customers are going to be looking for that seal of approval,” said Phil Cordell, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s head of global new brand development, who is leading the group developing the company’s new cleaning standards.

Some hotel brands are more stringent than others, said Larry Yu, a professor of hospitality management at George Washington University. He noted that Accor Hotels, a French company, has developed accreditation standards that its hotels must meet in order to reopen.

But Yu said enhanced cleaning is happening everywhere.

“Everybody is doing it because it is now expected by consumers,” he said.

Guests are already seeing differences.

David Whitesock, the chief innovation officer for Face It Together, an addiction counseling company, moved from Denver to upstate New York over Memorial Day weekend. He stayed at Marriott hotels in Iowa and Ohio along the way.

There were some oddities. Police tape separated him from the front desk in Iowa, and the hotel gave him a key card even though he would have preferred to unlock his room door using Marriott’s app. Whitesock brought his own food, but noticed prepackaged breakfasts laid out where buffets used to be.

But he said his rooms looked, felt and smelled cleaner than they used to. All the guests wore masks and respectfully kept their distance, he said.

“I felt like it was a safe place to be, that they had done the best that they possibly could given the circumstances,” Whitesock said.

Despite hotels’ precautions, however, visiting them is still risky, said Dr. Albert Ko, a professor of epidemiology and medicine at the Yale School of Public Health.

Hotels can bring together travelers from states or countries where transmission

GERM HUNTER: A Marriott associate uses an electrostatic sprayer to clean public areas at the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott in New York in April.

COURTESY MARRIOTT VIA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

‘Everybody is doing it because it is now expected by consumers.’

LARRY YU, George Washington University professor of hospitality management

rates are higher, for example, and many carriers may not be showing symptoms.

“That’s the kind of thing we’re worried about in terms of public health,” he said. “Those settings can be the cause of outbreaks.”

Hilton and other companies have called in experts to develop new standards. Marriott and InterContinental Hotels Group PLC – the parent company of Holiday Inn – are working with EcoLab Inc., which makes industrial cleaning products. IHG is also getting advice from the Cleveland Clinic. Hilton has partnered with the Mayo Clinic. Hyatt Hotels Corp. is working with ISSA, a global cleaning industry association.

Hotels walked through the guest experience and made changes at every touch point. Hilton’s hotel shuttles will be disinfected hourly and passengers will have access to wipes. MGM Resorts International, which reopened four Las Vegas hotels on June 4, is asking restaurant guests to view digital menus on their own phones.

Changes vary by hotel. Guests may find lobby furniture moved further apart or hand sanitizer stations next to elevator keys.

Inside the rooms, surfaces such as TV remotes and light switches will get an extra cleaning. Best Western is getting rid of decorative pillows, pens and other unnecessary items.

Red Roof is telling staff to bag up dirty sheets inside its rooms, to limit the spread of disease. Once a room is cleaned and disinfected, Hilton will put a sticker on the door so guests know no one has been inside.

Ko said in addition to disinfecting surfaces, hotels might want to consider moving dining outside, where the risk of transmission is lower, or limiting capacity in tight spaces such as elevators. Marriott’s plan includes limiting capacity in restaurants and gyms and ensuring people are distanced in elevator lines.

Cordell said Hilton plans to keep pools and fitness centers open and clean them regularly.

“Fitness and wellness is so fundamental to the guests getting back in their routine,” he said.

Hotels are experimenting with new technology. Marriott and others are using electrostatic sprayers to spritz lobbies with disinfectant. Many hotel brands are also encouraging guests to access their rooms using their mobile phones.

Airbnb Inc. CEO Brian Chesky thinks guests will prefer separate homes to hotels filled with people.

Airbnb – which is also working with EcoLab and former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy – will continue to upgrade its cleaning protocols, he said.

“Health and cleanliness are going to be one of our biggest focuses,” he said.

But Yu said hotel chains can ensure franchisees are complying through their normal auditing process. That will be a challenge for Airbnb, he said, which has developed its own cleaning standards but may have more trouble ensuring that hosts comply. n

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | 15

PBN SUMMIT | GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS

Panelists: Right steps may smooth reopening

BY MARY LHOWE | Contributing Writer

MOST OF US FIGURED that reopening workplaces as the ­COVID-19 quarantine eases would require a lot more planning than just turning the lights back on.

For many businesses, it may also require different types of planning than has been done in the past.

Reopening preparations was the subject of a Providence Business News virtual Getting Back to Business Summit on June 4 that featured panelists in the areas of health insurance, technology and human resources.

Panel members noted the many details that companies must attend to as they reopen workplaces, from simple matters such as spacing desks to complicated ones such as liability in potential lawsuits for wrongful termination.

Companies must communicate clearly and humanely with workers, and workers must make a good-will effort to cooperate with rules and protections, panelists said.

“We all have ownership of this,” said Karyn H. Rhodes, vice president and director of Complete HR Solutions.

Rhodes was joined on the panel

by Lee Biron, director of claims for Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC; Dr. Matt Collins, executive vice president and chief medical officer of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island; Sarah Fleury, manager of behavioral health for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island; and Todd Knapp, CEO of Envision Technology Advisors LLC. Rhode Island is now in phase two of reopening, allowing restaurants, salons, offices and other nonessential businesses to open but with strict

conditions. The state is requiring all companies to create a COVID-19 Control Plan, for which a template exists on ReopeningRI.com.

Knapp presented reopening as a positive opportunity for companies to further develop their use of electroniccommunications technology to make work more flexible and liberating, even after quarantine ends.

He mentioned the value of “incidental interaction” in a physical office space, meaning the exchange of a nod or smile or few words. He called these interactions important, but said those connections that happen throughout the day could be achieved online through informal check-ins.

“There is a whole world of new opportunities for employers to do innovative and smart things,” Knapp said.

‘There is a whole world of new opportunities for employers.’

TODD KNAPP, Envision Technology Advisors LLC CEO

He encouraged optimism and counseled against a workplace where “every minute of the day we are reminded of how different things are and how limited we are.”

In the meanwhile, back at the physical office, managers are having to hustle to achieve safety protocols.

Rhodes ticked off a list of recommendations for safety that included putting space between desks and cubicles; creating sneeze barriers; offering protective gear; closing smoking areas, lunch rooms, coffee pots and microwave ovens; improving ventilation; creating a single entrance and one-way travel patterns; discouraging handshaking and carpooling; creating small “pods” of work groups that interact only with each other; designating one delivery area; and much more.

Collins talked about screening employees as they enter buildings. Daily health screenings are recommended.

Collins suggested a questionnaire, with models to be found on ReopenRI. com and the Crush COVID RI app.

Experts do not recommend testing employees, Collins said, because test results can be inaccurate. Similar problems exist with antibody tests.

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16 | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

EC-434150 6/20

GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS | PBN SUMMIT Collins said his organization was undecided on the value of taking employees’ temperatures.

Fleury discussed the psychological strain of the COVID-19 crisis, and the impacts on returning to work. She said managers should check in with employees, including those working from home, and try to get a feel for whether people are anxious, agitated, or dealing with risky substance use.

Employee assistance programs for behavioral health care could be a resource for people dealing with stress, Fleury said. She also noted that ordinary laypeople can get training in first aid for mental health.

She also recommended that employers who have TVs at the office should shut them off to keep anxiety levels down. And “encourage people to take breaks and walks,” she said.

Much of the policymaking for reopening workplaces falls on the shoulders of human resources.

Rhodes said companies must have a COVID-19 policy that covers a range of health matters, including guidance about who an employee should report to if he or she feels ill; how the company responds to a sick worker; how to notify other workers; and how to conduct cleaning.

Other HR policies must take a stand on remote work, how to manage workers’ child care needs if day care is not available; rules on business travel; and rules on personal travel.

All panelists emphasized that policies should be communicated clearly to all workers and should be applied

consistently, not the least for the sake of protecting the business.

“I hate to look at this from a litigation standpoint, but we all want to protect [companies],” Rhodes said.

“Wrongful death lawsuits have already started. “[Companies] want to be able to say they did everything they could to protect workers. There will be charges of liability if companies are not taking precautions.”

Rhodes brought up the topic of people who may try to game the system by double-dipping on unemployment insurance while they are being paid by their employers, in some cases through the federal Paycheck Protection Program that loans or gives companies eight weeks of payroll, with generous forgiveness terms.

Also, if an employee is offered the opportunity to return to work but refuses to do so because he or she is making more money from unemployment insurance, that person is committing fraud, Rhodes said.

Other reasons people may decline offers to return to the job could include a mental condition or simple fear. The way to handle some of those circumstances could be requiring a note from a doctor, in case of illness, or referring to terms of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Workers who say they cannot come back to the job because they have children at home who need supervision could possibly work out a “reasonable accommodation” with the employer, Rhodes said. One option is to apply for

PANELISTS participating in Providence Business News’ virtual summit on June 4 address the complications of returning to the workplace as the COVID-19 quarantine eases.

temporary caregiver insurance.

Biron predicted the potential for employee churn since lots of people got onto unemployment insurance at the same time, and many will be coming off benefits at the same time.

“This could be a whole new demographic of good people looking for positions,” Biron said.

Employers might be open to legal challenges the likes of which they have not seen before, said Biron.

He advised companies to closely review their liability policies. “Businesses will be dealing with problems of emotional distress and wrongful termination,” Biron said. “These claims may occur over time and they

will have to be reported in a certain time and manner.”

He said companies should be familiar with their vendor contracts to learn if the company itself could be liable for illnesses when third parties enter buildings.

Asked if employers could be held liable if a worker contracted COVID-19 at the job site, Biron said it would be very hard to prove where the illness was contracted.

Biron also counseled great care in applying COVID rules consistently.

“When you get inconsistencies, you open yourself to exposure,” he said.

“We have already seen [class-action lawsuits].” n

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | 17

FOCUS | MANUFACTURING

Pandemic highlights hazards of offshoring

BY ALEXA GAGOSZ | Gagosz@PBN.com

RENAUD

Megard knew he would have to make some key operational changes to his company, NFI Corp., when the coronavirus hit in March.

While all manufacturers concentrated on establishing remote work for frontoffice employees and social distancing on the production line, Megard, CEO and president of the New Bedford-based commercial digital printer, also has looked outside the company.

He wants to reassess his suppliers, vendors and partners to minimize the amount of outside people his employees interact with and to prevent the delays that shipments from overseas can cause.

Where it makes financial sense, Megard said he is looking to shorten his supply chain, making it more agile by working with more U.S. suppliers.

However, making that shift raises the question: will customers accept that change and pay the higher prices that these changes might bring?

“They just want the lowest price,” Megard said of his customers. “So we have to educate them.”

While most local manufacturers have

remained operational during the COVID-19 pandemic, it hasn’t been easy.

In addition to taking steps to prevent outbreaks within factories, many companies switched gears and produced personal protective equipment such as masks, shields and gowns that have been in heavy demand and in short supply.

Some manufacturers have been dealing with supply-chain disruptions that have delayed the arrival of raw materials and components – in many cases, that are being shipped from overseas – and have slowed the manufacturing of their own products, potentially causing issues for other companies downstream.

Such problems are adding fuel to the movement of “reshoring,” the practice of bringing manufacturing companies and jobs back to North America from abroad, according to Harry Moser, founder and president of Reshoring Initiative, a nonprofit business advisory group based in Sarasota, Fla. “Companies are starting to recognize all the costs and risks associated with offshoring that they hadn’t recognized when [wanting] to offshore decades ago,” Moser said. “Then [COVID-19] came to the U.S. and now the U.S. inability to

INSPECTION: Renaud Megard, CEO and president of NFI Corp. in New Bedford, inspects a face shield with Jennifer Bodnar, who works in the finishing department.

PBN PHOTO/ ELIZABETH GRAHAM

‘Companies are starting to recognize all the costs and risks ... with offshoring.’

HARRY MOSER, Reshoring Initiative founder and president 18 | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

produce the things it needs became a life or death issue, or job or poverty issues for millions of people.”

Moser said reshoring has been happening for years now as companies see benefits to shifting at least some operations back to the U.S. The movement has grown from about 6,000 jobs returned to the U.S. in 2010 to about 180,000 in 2017, according to Moser.

Moser said that the next wave of reshoring has already begun as companies started to make masks, gowns, gloves and ventilators on their own here in the U.S. in order to meet the demand of the health care sector.

The next wave, he said, could be in the defense sector because the pandemic has highlighted a vulnerability if products and materials are manufactured outside of the U.S. “You need consumers to choose ‘Made in America’ whenever feasible,” said Moser. “They won’t pay $2,000 for a $1,000 product. That’s not reasonable. But most say they will pay 10 or 20% more.”

David Chenevert, executive director of the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association, said he sees the trends as bolstering the regional manufacturing sector and helping Rhode Island’s economy in the long run.

“The reshoring is going to definitely bring added business to the state,” Chenevert said.

John Carrier, senior lecturer in systems dynamics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management, said supply chains were historically built for lowest-cost production under stable conditions.

But the pandemic has sent a shockwave through supply chains across the world, which has shifted views.

“Now companies aren’t going to compete on productivity anymore,” Carrier said. “They’re going to compete on lead time. If the market changes every two to three weeks, [companies] can’t get stuck with three weeks of a product that a customer doesn’t want in their supply chains.”

Carrier said this will create pressure for companies to bring key parts of their supply chain closer to their customers, and companies will carry less inventory so they can react quickly to changes.

According to Carrier, some manufacturing companies won’t survive in a post-COVID-19 environment, such as those who keep too much inventory sitting around, those with complex supply chains that aren’t close to home, and those who haven’t adopted digital technology and automation.

Chenevert said he’s already seen Rhode Island-based manufacturers shift workflow by streamlining personnel to become leaner and more efficient.

Megard has kept his 108 employees employed, 16% of them working from home, and his production lines have been spaced out for safety. While much of his supply chain, he acknowledged, could be reshored to the U.S., many of his customers would balk at the additional costs.

“You have to be realistic about what can be reshored and what cannot be [reshored]. That will be a delicate balance,” he said. n

MANUFACTURING | FOCUS FACTORIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

cleans the offices, b ­ athrooms and production areas.

Two employees were furloughed, with pay and benefits, after he learned they had health conditions that put them at risk. People who told him they had family members who may have had exposure were sent home, too, and tested if they became symptomatic.

So far, no one has contracted the virus at the 100-employee company, Wadensten said.

The company created a pledge describing how the employees will help one another. “At the top of the pledge we said, if you knowingly come in here and have been exposed to COVID or think you have been exposed to COVID, and you come to work, you’ll be fired,” Wadensten said.

Manufacturers in Rhode Island have remained open since the pandemic arrived in March, which put its managers and owners at the forefront of what many more employers will now be experiencing as they reopen their businesses. How do you keep a viral disease out of the workplace?

Early on, Wadensten and David Chenevert, executive director of the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association, worked on a detailed document intended to have manufacturers

follow best practices in keeping their workplaces safe.

More than 200 executives have signed the document, which Wadensten said was presented to Gov. Gina M. Raimondo as she decided whether to keep manufacturing open as the pandemic appeared.

The pledge recommended screening employees for symptoms, and other measures, such as separating people and prohibiting delivery personnel from entering facilities.

But even those steps, when followed, haven’t been foolproof.

Several Rhode Island manufacturers have reported outbreaks. The R.I. Department of Health said it is required to be notified if any workplace has two or more people who contract the virus. Health officials have disclosed infections at numerous companies where at least 25 people tested positive for the new coronavirus. They included Daniele International LLC, in Burrillville, which had 80 people diagnosed with the virus, and Taylor Farms New England Inc., in North Kingstown’s Quonset Business Park, which had 100 people test positive.

None of the factories were closed by the state. One manufacturer, Hope Global, which had two employees sickened, voluntarily shut down for

MEASURED ACTIONS: VIBCO mechanical engineering employees Greg Pickering, left, and Claudia Brown place tape on the factory floor to ensure proper social distancing around the time clock. When this photo was taken, face masks were not yet required.

COURTESY VIBCO INC.

two weeks.

At least one prominent public health official said he thinks the state should be taking a tougher stance on work sites. Dr. Michael Fine, the public health liaison for Pawtucket and Central Falls, and a former director of the R.I. Department of Health, said any company that has had two

or more employees test positive for the new coronavirus within a twoweek period should be shut for three weeks.

“It is not happening,” Fine said, including at manufacturers. “I think that’s a huge error.”

Manufacturers, including those CONTINUES ON PAGE 21

We’re with you.

During this difficult time, we’re committed to providing you with the important health care information you need. It’s what we do.

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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | 19

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20 | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

MANUFACTURING | FOCUS Get the Most Out of Our Lists The Book of Lists is available in Excel format DAILY CHECK UP: David Bragonier, VIBCO machinist and value stream manager, has his temperature measured by CEO and President Karl Wadensten as Bragonier enters the factory. At left, production manager John Goodwin holds a box of hand sanitizer. When this photo was taken, facemasks were not yet required.

COURTESY VIBCO INC.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

impacted by infection, have said they do not think shutting down a company is the solution because of the potential disruption to the supply chains. Wadensten said his company provides industrial vibrators for companies that manufacture drugs, food and sanitary products such as Lysol and Purell.

All of the protocols put in place by companies will only work if people follow them, Chenevert said.

“In many instances, when a situation breaks out, it’s because the employees failed to follow the guidelines that were established,” he said.

“They’re sick, not feeling well, but

‘We did all the health checks. Did all the social separation.

And we still had infections.’

PETER KING, WaterRower Inc. CEO and president

they need the money and still go into work.”

WaterRower Inc., a manufacturer of wooden rowing machines, has a 200-person factory in Warren. It had about 30 infections this year, an outbreak that its executive said likely started among employees who were carpooling.

“It happened quite quickly,” said Peter King, CEO and president. It started with one employee, who became ill and was tested over a weekend in April.

In early May, an employee died of COVID-19, King said. Another employee was hospitalized with the disease, he said.

Even now, King is not sure whether companies can really stop the virus from reaching into a workplace.

Before the infections were reported, King had employees getting morning check-ins, with temperature screenings and the health questionnaire recommended by health officials. He’s continuing to do that, but in 3½ months, only two people failed a temperature check for fever. And that was after they passed the screening in the morning. At the time of the outbreak, King estimated that at least 80% of his workers were wearing masks. Now, he thinks everyone should wear them.

He wanted to have all of his workers tested, but he said he was told by the R.I. Commerce Corp. that it wasn’t possible and it wasn’t going to necessarily protect a workplace.

“The answer is that you don’t know how accurate it would be,” King said. “We did all the health checks. Did all the social separation.

And we still had infections.”

King now advises other business owners to be ready to adapt. “We’ve lived through this,” he said. “You’ve got to be thinking on your feet because you won’t know where this stuff is coming from.” n

• New lists for 2020 • Exclusive access to extended lists • Excel format lets you easily sort, merge and import data

Plus, a complete contact list with name and address

offices) (rankedbybynumber numberof local of local offices) PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES (ranked 2019 rank

Address Phone

No. of local offices No. of local employees No. of vehicles

Services provided

Areas served

700 Jefferson Blvd.

Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 946-0470

22 C 300 Varies

Business and personal rental services

International

65

40 Senator St. Extension Warwick, R.I. 02888 (401) 274-4043

21 205 Varies

Personal and business car rental, accident replacement

International

LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette

700 Jefferson Blvd.

Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 736-7500

5 NA Varies

Car rental and insurance replacement

International

700 Jefferson Blvd.

Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 739-8986

4 NA Varies

Personal and business car rental services

International

All Occasion Transportation

2 Commerce Drive Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 312-0945

3 105 63

Specializing in airport, executive and group transportation, and special occasions

International

Coach arrowprestigelimo.com Patrick Damian, vice president

Arrow-Prestige Limousine and

2095 Elmwood Ave. Warwick, R.I. 02888 (401) 383-5600

2 47 38

Airport services, casino trips, city trips, corporate travel, proms, weddings

New England, New Jersey, New York

Thrifty Car Rental thrifty.com John E. Clancy, area manager

2329 Post Road Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 732-2000

2 40 Varies

Airport valet parking, car and van rentals, vehicle service

International

A Star Limousine

1305 Hartford Ave. Johnston, R.I. 02919 (401) 232-1523

1 14 11

Airport transportation services, nights out, proms, weddings

New England

700 Jefferson Blvd.

Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 737-4800

1 C 300 Varies

Business and personal rental services

International

Corporate Transportation

417 Smithfield Ave. Providence, R.I. 02860 (401) 231-2228

1 20 12

24-hour taxi and corporate car service

New England

Escort Limousine Inc.

365 Waterman Ave. East Providence, R.I. 02914 (401) 435-5466

1 1 2

Airport service, bachelor and bachelorette parties, special events, transportation to New York, weddings

New England

29 Bald Hill Road Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 831-8940

1 20 8

Airport services, corporate travel, major concert venues, proms, sightseeing, tours and weddings

New England, New Jersey, New York

11 Clemenceau St. East Providence, R.I. 02914 (401) 434-2700

1 25 14

Airport and corporate transportation, shuttle service, weddings

International

Company Website President/CEO

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

1 2018: 1

2 2018: 2

3 2018: 3

4 2018: 4

5 2018: 5

6 2018: NL

6 2018: 6

8 2018: 7

8 2018: 7

8 2018: 7

8 2018: 7

8 2018: 7

8 2018: 7

CLOSER LOOK

B

enterprise.com Bill Gardner, vice president and general manager, Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts

Hertz Corp.

hertz.com Kathryn V. Marinello, CEO and president; John E. Clancy, area manager

Avis Rent A Car System Inc.

D

avis.com Keary Riggie, regional manager

Budget Rent A Car USA

D

budget.com Keary Riggie, regional manager

alloccasionlimo.com John S. Olinger, CEO

astarlimoofri.com Anthony Andrade, owner and manager

Alamo BRent A Car/National Car Rental alamo.com

Bill Gardner, vice president and general manager, Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts

corporatetransportationofri.com Michael Tartaglione, owner

escortlimori.com Doug Cox, president

Five Star Limousine

fivestarlimo.com Sharon Rizzo, owner; George Rizzo, manager

Sentinel Limousine & Coach Inc. sentinellimo.com

Daniel McCrystal, founder and owner

Total number of local offices:

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

PHYSICIAN GROUP PRACTICES (ranked (ranked by number of local physicians) PHYSICIAN GROUP PRACTICES by number of local physicians)

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

NL = Not listed last year.

FOOTNOTES j Enterprise Holdings Inc. encompasses Alamo Rent-ACar, National Car Rental and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.  Employee count encompasses all locations for three brands under Enterprise Holdings Inc.  Avis Budget Group encompasses Avis Rent A Car System Inc. and Budget Rent A Car USA.

www.pbn.com | BOOK OF LISTS n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JANUARY 2020

Access the lists today!

2019 rank

1 2018: 1

2 2018: 2

3 2018: 4

4 2018: 3

5 2018: 5

6 2018: 6

7 2018: NL

8 2018: NL

9 2018: 9

10 2018: 7

11 2018: 8

12 2018: 12

13 2018: 13

14 2018: 11

15 2018: 14

16 2018: 15

17 2018: 16

18 2018: 17

19 2018: 17

20 2018: 19

No. of local physicians No. of locations Specialties

Company Website President/CEO

Address Phone

Lifespan Physician Group B Inc. lifespan.org

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

507 74

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

45 Willard St. Providence, R.I. 02905 (401) 681-2818

455 44

Cardiology, emergency medicine, geriatrics, internal medicine, orthopedics, pediatrics, primary care, surgical services, women's health

450 William S. Canning Blvd.

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

287 62

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

Dr. Steven Lampert, president

Care New England Medical Group carenewengland.org

Michael J. Ryan Jr., president and chief operating officer

Southcoast Physicians Group southcoast.org

Dr. Elizabeth Smith, president

Brown Medicine

brownmed.org Ann M. Kashmanian, CEO; Dr. Louis B. Rice, president

110 Elm St., 2nd Floor Providence, R.I. 02903 (877) 771-7401

249 9

Allergy and clinical immunology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatric and palliative medicine, hematology/oncology, inpatient hospital medicine

Coastal Medical Inc.

10 Davol Square, Suite 400 Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 421-4000

90 20

Primary health care practice

Rhode Island Medical Imaging

125 Metro Center Blvd., Suite 2000 Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 432-2400

81 13

CT, dexa scan, mammography, MRI, ultrasound, Xray

Thundermist Health Center

450 Clinton St. Woonsocket, R.I. 02895 (401) 767-4100

73 3

Medical, dental and behavioral health care for patients of all ages

Providence Community Health Centers providencechc.org

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

64 10

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

coastalmedical.com Dr. G. Alan Kurose

Inc. rimirad.com Dr. John A. Pezzullo, president

thundermisthealth.org Jeanne LaChance

Merrill R. Thomas, CEO

CharterCARE Medical Associates chartercare.org

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

60 26

Endocrinology, family practice, gastroenterology, infectious disease, neurology, pulmonary and sleep medicine, rheumatology

2 Dudley St. Providence, R.I. 02904 (401) 272-1800

54 13

Breast surgery, general, pediatric, surgical oncology, thoracic, transplant, vascular surgical and critical care

University Orthopedics

1 Kettle Point Ave. East Providence, R.I. 02914 (401) 457-1500

46 9

Hand therapy, orthopedics and physical therapy

University Gastroenterology

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

24 4

Gastroenterology

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

23 2

Dermatology, internal medicine, pediatrics, podiatry

200 Crossings Blvd., Suite 310 Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 777-7000

22 9

Hand, wrist and upper extremity, joint preservation and replacement, orthopedics, outpatient therapy and advanced imaging, podiatry, robotics surgery

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

15 3

Primary care services for family medicine: bone densitometry, echocardiography, pediatric cardiology, rheumatology, spirometry

Michal Frejka, vice president of practice operations

universityorthopedics.com Dr. Edward Akelman, president

universitygi.com Dr. Eric P. Berthiaume, president

Medical Associates of Rhode Island Inc. medassociatesofri.com Colleen Noseworthy, director of operations

Orthopedics Rhode Island

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

The Rhode Island Eye Institute rieyeinstitute.com

Dr. R. Jeffrey Hofmann, managing partner

Barrington Pediatric Associates

Inc. barringtonpediatrics.com Ronni Peltz, managing partner Rhode Island Ear, Nose & Throat Physicians Inc. rient.net Barry Rafonelli, administrator

NorthMainD Radiation Oncology usoncology.com/ patients/practices/northmainradiation-oncology Dr. Nicklas Oldenburg, medical director

Cardiology Consultants LLC Dr. Ara Sadaniantz

100 | JANUARY 2020

Total number of local physicians:

2,081 Re-ranked by number of locations:

1 Lifespan Physician

Group Inc. No. of locations: 74

2 Southcoast

3 Care New England

Medical Group No. of locations: 44

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

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

NL = Not listed last year.

C

orthopedicsri.com Dr. Michael P. Bradley, CEO and president; Mary Ellen Ashe, executive director

CLOSER LOOK

Physicians Group No. of locations: 62

University Surgical Associates

Inc. usasurg.org Dr. William Cioffi, president

| 147

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

12 4

Corneal diseases and transplants, diabetic retinopathy, Lasik procedures, pediatric ophthalmology, reconstructive surgery

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

8 1

Pediatrics

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

6 3

Allergies, hearing aids, ear, nose and throat

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

4 1

Radiation oncology

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

1 1

Cardiology

FOOTNOTES j Lifespan Corp. includes Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, Newport Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital/ Hasbro Children’s Hospital and The Miriam Hospital.  Also known as Ortho Rhode Island.  Previously listed as Radiation Oncology Associates.

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

Order online at pbn.com/lists/ For assistance, call 401-680-4840 www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | 21

FOCUS | MANUFACTURERS (ranked by number of local employees) FOCUS | MANUFACTURERS (ranked by number of local employees) CLOSER LOOK

Company | Website CEO/President

Address Phone

No. of locaL employees

General Dynamics Electric Boat | gdeb.com Kevin Graney, president

165 Dillabur Ave. North Kingstown, R.I. 02852 (401) 268-2300

4,200

Design, construction and life cycle support of submarines for the U.S. Navy

International Game Technology PLC | igt.com Marco Sala, CEO; Renato Ascoli, CEO, North America; Robert Vincent, chairman, IGT Global Solutions Corp.

10 Memorial Blvd.

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

1,007

Gaming and lottery services

Sensata Technologies Inc. | sensata.com Jeffrey Cote, president, sensing solutions and chief operating officer

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

900

Custom-engineered sensors and controls, including Airpax, DeltaTech, Dimensions, Klixon, Qinex, Schrader and Sensor-NITE

2019: 8

Amgen Inc. | amgen.com Robert Bradway, chairman and CEO; Thomas Seewoester, Rhode Island vice president site operations

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

888

Developer and manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals

5

Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Corp. | josephabboud.com Joseph Bahena, senior vice president

689 Belleville Ave. New Bedford, Mass. 02745 (508) 999-1301

837

Joseph Abboud sportcoats, suits and trousers

6

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

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

750

Manufacturing and marketing of gourmet soup and sides, and meals

7

Toray Plastics (America) Inc. | toraytpa.com Michael Brandmeier

50 Belver Ave. North Kingstown, R.I. 02852 (401) 294-4511

724

Polyester and polypropylene film manufacturing

8

Schneider Electric | schneider-electric.com Annette Clayton, North America CEO and president

132 Fairgrounds Road South Kingstown, R.I. 02892 (401) 789-5735

583

Energy-management and efficiency technologies

9 2019: 9

Tiffany & Co. 1 | tiffany.com Alessandro Bogliolo, CEO; Daniel Brouillard, senior director of manufacturing

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

548

Bracelets, charms, engagement rings, home accessories, necklaces, NFL Vince Lombardi Trophy, watches

10 2019: 11

Taco Inc. 2 | taco-hvac.com John White Jr., chairman and CEO; Cheryl Merchant, president

1160 Cranston St. Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 942-8000

500

Circulators, controls, pumps and valves for HVAC systems

Teknor Apex Co. | teknorapex.com Jonathan D. Fain, chairman and CEO; Suresh Swaminathan, president

505 Central Ave. Pawtucket, R.I. 02861 (401) 725-8000

496

Custom compounder of advanced polymer materials

Becton, Dickinson and Co. 3 | bd.com Tom Polen

100 Crossings Blvd.

Warwick, R.I. 02886 (800) 556-6275

480

Medical devices

2019: 13

13

LeachGarner | leachgarner.com Thomas Kimble, president

49 Pearl St. Attleboro, Mass. 02703 (800) 225-2706

460

Precious metal raw materials (Stern Metals), chain (Excell) and jewelry products (General Findings)

14

Amtrol Inc. | amtrol.com Greg Shakley, general manager

1400 Division Road West Warwick, R.I. 02893 (401) 884-6300

396

HVAC: Extrols, Therm-x-Trols, pressure-rated cylinders; water systems: well-water systems, water treatment

15

AstroNova Inc. | astronovainc.com Gregory Woods

600 East Greenwich Ave. West Warwick, R.I. 02893 (401) 828-4000

380

Manufacturer of associated software and consumables, data-acquisition systems, specialty printers

Systems Engineering Associates Corp. 4 | seacorp.com Brian Gilligan, owner and CEO; David Lussier, president

62 Johnnycake Hill Road Middletown, R.I. 02842 (401) 847-2260

375

Systems and software engineering, program and financial management, research and development

17

Technic Inc. | technic.com David Weisberg

47 Molter St. Cranston, R.I. 02910 (401) 781-6100

372

Analytical control systems, custom finishing equipment, engineered powders, specialty chemicals

18

KVH Industries Inc. | kvh.com Martin Kits van Heyningen

50 Enterprise Center Middletown, R.I. 02842 (401) 847-3327

275

Mobile satellite communications, TV antenna systems, precision navigation products for defense and commercial applications

2019: 26

19

Bradford Soap Works Inc. | bradfordsoap.com Stuart Benton

200 Providence St. West Warwick, R.I. 02893 (401) 821-2141

267

Bar soap and other solid cleansing products, including shampoos/conditioners, shave and shower poufs

20

Igus Inc. | igus.com Richard Abbate, vice president

257 Ferris Ave. East Providence, R.I. 02916 (800) 521-2747

261

Adapter plates, custom cables, custom and standard metal brackets, and energy chain components

2019: 20

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence | hexagonmi.com Angus Taylor, CEO and president, North America

250 Circuit Drive North Kingstown, R.I. 02852 (401) 886-2000

260

3D laser scanners, computer-aided engineering/ manufacturing software

21 2019: 20

Brookwood Finishing 5 | brookwoodcos.com Amber Brookman, chairman and CEO; Regina Gallo Marquart, president

36 Sherman Ave. Richmond, R.I. 02836 (401) 364-3400

260

Commission finisher of woven synthetic fabrics for consumer, industrial and military markets

2019: 23

23

Infinity Fresh Kitchen | retailbusinessservices.com Roger Wheeler, president, retail business services

320 Commerce Park Road North Kingstown, R.I. 02852 (617) 770-6996

250

Food products

23

Herff Jones Inc. | herffjones.com Jeff Webb, chairman and CEO

150 Herff Jones Way Warwick, R.I. 02888 (401) 331-1240

250

Customized emblematic awards, plaques and trophies, championship and commercial awards, high school and college class rings

2020 rank

1

2019: 1

2

2019: NL

3

2019: 3

4

2019: 4

2019: 6

2019: 7

2019: NL

11

2019: 10

12

2019: 12

2019: 15

2019: 16

16

2019: 14

2019: 17

2019: 18

2019: 19

21

2019: 22

Products

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

2 Also known as Taco Comfort Solutions.

3 Also known as BD. 4 Also SEA CORP. 22 | known JUNEas12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com 5 Previously listed as Kenyon Industries Inc.

Total employees listed:

19,473 LIST RESEARCHED BY Cassius Shuman NEED A COPY? To purchase a copy of this list, call (401) 273-2201 or visit PBN.com/lists.

UPCOMING LISTS Rhode Island Credit Unions, Regional Banks (June 19); High-Tech Funding Sources, Business Development Resources (June 26) 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 Research@PBN.com FOOTNOTES j Tiffany & Co. was acquired

by Moet Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Societe Europeenne, also known as LVMH, on Nov. 25, 2019.  Also known as Taco Comfort Solutions.  Also known as BD.  Also known as SEA CORP.  Previously listed as Kenyon Industries Inc.

FOCUS | MANUFACTURERS (ranked by number of local employees) FOCUS | MANUFACTURERS (ranked by number of local employees) CLOSER LOOK

Company | Website CEO/President

Address Phone

No. of locaL employees

Products

Nordson EFD | nordsonefd.com Sundaram Nagarajan, CEO and president, Nordson Corp.; Srinivas Subramanian, vice president and general manager, Nordson EFD

40 Catamore Blvd.

East Providence, R.I. 02914 (800) 556-3484

248

Precision fluid-dispensing solutions

26

Ahead LLC | aheadweb.com Anne Broholm, CEO

270 Samuel Barnet Blvd.

New Bedford, Mass. 02745 (508) 985-9898

238

Branded golf apparel, headwear and accessories

27

V.H. Blackinton & Co. | blackinton.com Peter Roque, CEO and chief operating officer

221 John L. Dietsch Blvd.

Attleboro, Mass. 02763 (800) 699-4436

200

Custom metal badges, commendation bars, FlexBadge metallic emblems, medals

International Packaging Corp. | interpak.com John Kilmartin, owner and CEO

517 Mineral Spring Ave. Pawtucket, R.I. 02860 (401) 724-1600

200

Custom-made branded presentation boxes, displays and packaging

Hope Global | hopeglobal.com Marcelino De Santiago, president and chief operating officer; Thomas Ferrucci, chief information officer

50 Martin St. Cumberland, R.I. 02864 (401) 753-7800

200

Manufacturer of automotive, apparel and industrial products

Tanury Industries | tanury.com Michael Akkaoui

6 New England Way Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 333-9400

190

Electroplating, PVD and Cerakote coatings

2019: 30

Arnold Lumber Co. | arnoldlumber.com Allison Arnold; Kate Arnold Carret, co-presidents

251 Fairgrounds Road South Kingstown, R.I. 02892 (401) 783-2266

175

Sales and distribution of building materials, primarily to residential and commercial contractors

32 2019: 31

General Cable Corp. | prysmiangroup.com Valerio Battista, CEO, Prysmian Group; Paulo Gabrielli, Lincoln plant manager

3 Carol Drive Lincoln, R.I. 02865 (401) 333-4848

172

Wire and cable manufacturer

33

Mahr Inc. | mahr.com Brett Green

1144 Eddy St. Providence, R.I. 02905 (401) 784-3100

170

2020 rank

25 2019: 24 2019: NL

2019: 27

27

2019: 27

27

2019: 25

30

2019: 29

31

2019: 32

34

Dimensional metrology equipment and gauges; provides calibration and contract measurement services

2019: 33

Nye Lubricants Inc. 1 | nyelubricants.com George Mock

12 Howland Road Fairhaven, Mass. 02719 (508) 996-6721

165

Damping greases, NyeClean, NyeMed, NyeTorr, RheoLube, UniFlor - PFPE lubricants

35

Tri-Mack Plastics Manufacturing Corp. | trimack.com Ed Mack, CEO

55 Broadcommon Road, Unit 1 Bristol, R.I. 02809 (401) 253-2140

160

Components for the aerospace, chemical processing, electronics and industrial equipment markets; engineered thermoplastics

2019: 40

Nelipak Healthcare Packaging 2 | nelipak.com Roger Prevot, CEO

21 Amflex Drive Cranston, R.I. 02921 (401) 946-2699

151

Medical trays and pharmaceutical packaging

37 2019: 35

WaterRower | waterrower.com Peter King

520 Metacom Ave. Warren, R.I. 02885 (401) 247-7742

150

Indoor rowing fitness machines

2019: 35

37

Safe Harbor New England Boatworks LLC | shmarinas.com Baxter Underwood, CEO; Rives Potts, president

1 Lagoon Road Portsmouth, R.I. 02871 (401) 683-4000

150

Boats

39

Ximedica | ximedica.com Robert Brown, CEO

55 Dupont Drive Providence, R.I. 02907 (401) 330-3163

145

Product-development services for medical device and health care companies

Finlay Extracts & Ingredients USA Inc. | finlays.net Michele Abo, CEO

10 Blackstone Valley Place and 81 Ocean State Drive Lincoln and North Kingstown, R.I. 02865 and 02852 (401) 333-3300

135

Coffee, syrups, coffee extracts, tea extracts, coffee on demand

Cooley Group | cooleygroup.com Daniel Dwight

50 Esten Ave. Pawtucket, R.I. 02860 (401) 724-9000

130

Manufacturer of coated fabrics and polymer membranes

2019: NL

Anvil & Smith-Cooper International | anvileps.com Tom Fish, board chairman; Jason Hild, CEO; Richard Laviolette, vice president

160 Frenchtown Road North Kingstown, R.I. 02852 (401) 886-3000

125

Engineered pipe supports for the power industry, both nuclear and commercial

2019: 39

43

John Matouk & Co. | matouk.com George Matouk Jr., CEO

925 Airport Road Fall River, Mass. 02720 (508) 997-3444

120

Fine bed and bath linens

44

NFI Corp. | nficorp.com Renaud Megard

213 Theodore Rice Blvd.

New Bedford, Mass. 02745 (508) 998-9021

110

Graphic overlays, labels, membrane switches, sleeves

2019: 41

44

Dryvit Systems Inc. | dryvit.com R. Michael Murphy

1 Energy Way and 200 Frenchtown Road West Warwick and North Kingstown, R.I. 02893 and 02852 (800) 556-7752

110

Adhesives and base coats, air/vapor/water barriers, metallic coating, NewBrick, primers and sealers accessories, textured finishes

2019: 41

44

Contech Medical | contechmedical.com Raymond Byrnes, CEO; Christopher Byrnes, president

99 Hartford Ave. Providence, R.I. 02909 (401) 351-4890

110

Medical-device manufacturer

47

VIBCO Inc. | vibco.com Karl Wadensten

75 Stilson Road Richmond, R.I. 02898 (401) 539-2392

100

Industrial and concrete vibrators, plate compactors, vibratory rollers

Yushin America Inc. | yushin.com Mayumi Kotani, CEO and president, Yushin Precision Equipment Co. Ltd.; Takaya Sugimura, president, Yushin America Inc.; Michael Greenhalgh, Rhode Island director of operations

35 Kenney Drive Cranston, R.I. 02920 (401) 463-1800

100

Robots, tooling and downstream equipment for the plastics industry

2019: 34

36

2019: NL

40

2019: 37

41

2019: 37

42

2019: 41

2019: 44

47 2019: NL

1 Nye Lubricants was acquired by the FUCHS Group of Dissen, Germany on Dec. 31, 2019.

2 Nelipak Healthcare Packaging was acquired by Kohlberg & Co. LLC of Mt. Kisco, N.Y., on July 3, 2019. The company announced Aug. 9, 2019, that it will merge with Bemis

Healthcare Packaging Europe.

Just missed the list:

1

Advanced Interconnections Corp.

No. of employees: 85

2

EaglePicher Technologies LLC/ Yardney Division No. of employees: 76

3

RIDCO Zinc Die Casting Co. No. of employees: 65

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

UPCOMING LISTS Rhode Island Credit Unions, Regional Banks (June 19); High-Tech Funding Sources, Business Development Resources (June 26) 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 Research@PBN.com FOOTNOTES j Nye Lubricants was acquired by the FUCHS Group of Dissen, Germany, on Dec. 31, 2019.  Nelipak Healthcare Packaging was acquired by Kohlberg & Co. LLC of Mt. Kisco, N.Y., on July 3, 2019.

The company merged with Bemis Healthcare Packaging Europe on August 8, 2019, and the combined company will operate under the Nelipak Healthcare Packaging brand.

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | 23

IT’S PERSONAL Joyce awarded for volunteerism JAYA JOYCE, a senior at Coventry High School, was honored by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards as one of the nation’s top youth volunteers for her work implementing an anti-bullying program called Unified Oakers. Joyce was awarded a $1,000 scholarship that will go toward her college education at Fordham University, where she will pursue a degree in entertainment law. She was also awarded $2,500 for donation to a nonprofit of her choice and an engraved silver medallion.

What was your reaction to being chosen as one of the nation’s top youth volunteers by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards?

I was incredibly honored to receive this award, and I am extremely humbled to have been named the Rhode Island state honoree for the work I have done with the Unified movement that I co-founded at my school. I co-founded this movement to promote inclusion and to ensure that no students at my school feel alone.

How did you come up with the idea for your anti-bullying program?

During my sophomore year of high school, I felt there was something missing in the culture of my school. At the beginning of my junior year, a couple of my friends and I decided to do something to change this and had the idea of creating a program similar to Best Buddies.

After my school principal, Mrs. Brooke Macomber, got on board, we established that this program would not only target students with disabilities, rather it will focus on including all students. It was important to switch gears and focus on the inclusion of all because there are so many students in schools who feel as if they don’t belong.

What was your experience like being out of school during the coronavirus pandemic?

ENROLLMENT DEADLINE APPROACHING: JUNE 19

Being out of school during the pandemic was extremely difficult, as I missed out on the end of my senior year.

However, the administration and staff at Coventry High School have done a great job with distance learning and engaging all students. As for the Unified Oakers, we implemented activities to ensure that the movement continues to grow. I put together a TikTok video, asking any student who wanted to take part in it to send me a clip to add in. This was a big hit and allowed many students to still feel a part of something, even though we were not able to physically be together.

How important is it to get involved with helping a cause or some aspect of a community?

As a victim of bullying, I know firsthand the pain that it can inflict. However, I feel that my past experiences have gifted me with a passion for helping others, so that no one will ever have to feel the way I felt in those moments of pain. So, I believe it is extremely important to get involved with helping a cause or some aspect of a community, as your work can change the lives of others. As a result of the Unified Oakers, the culture of my school completely changed for the better, which is reflected in my school’s reduced incidents of bullying and an increase in the number of random acts of kindness that [are] witnessed among the student body. n

enroll t o d ay o m at p b n . c SHARE INFORMAT ION ABOUT YOUR WORKPLACE HEALTH & WELLNES S P ROGRAMS & SEE HOW YOU MEASURE UP. What’s offered | Employee incentives | Employee participation Measuring success | Why it matters | Tangible results

CATEGORIES: • 5 - 149 EMPLOYEES • 150 - 499 EMPLOYEES • 500 - 1,499 EMPLOYEES • 1,500 - 4,999 EMPLOYEES

# PBNHEALTHIESTEMPLOYEES 24 | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

IT’S PERSONAL MACKAY’S MORAL | HARVEY MACKAY

Never stop learning A U.S. MARINE CORPORAL was driving a benefits specialist from base to base to deliver lectures on life insurance, according to a story in Reader’s Digest. After listening to a dozen of these talks, the corporal insisted he knew the spiel by heart.

“Prove it,” the benefits specialist said. So, at the next base, the corporal delivered the speech flawlessly, until a Marine asked, “What do I pay for insurance after I leave the Corps?”

The corporal temporarily froze before he had an idea. “Marine,” he said sternly, as he pointed to the benefits specialist, “that is such a dumb question that I am going to let my driver answer it.”

That corporal demonstrated two important skills: thinking on his feet and continuous learning.

When I was building my envelope manufacturing company, I was driving all over to get business. I drove 15,000 to 20,000 miles a year, and would listen to audiotapes in the car, and later CDs, to boost my motivation and sharpen my sales skills.

Knowing the average person spends three and a half years over their lifetime in their car, I had a plan to turn my automobile into a university. I wanted to pass that opportunity

on to our sales force as well. That’s why for years our company has had a tremendous library of motivational, sales and marketing materials for our employees to use. Now we’ve moved on to podcasts. Why not maximize your time and learn something new?

Whenever we send someone to a seminar or training program, we ask them to come back and teach everyone at our company what they learned to maximize the return from our investment dollars. That way, the entire group can improve their skills.

No matter how long you have been building your career, and how much you have learned with experience, there’s always more to absorb. Getting better at your job goes far beyond just learning the ropes; it’s a forever process.

Here are four ideas to create a learning organization: 1. Encourage self-directed learning for employees. Provide resources and access to information and the internet, and time off and tuition reimbursement if possible.

2. Promote inter-department collaboration. Bring together members of teams from different departments and let them share ideas and strategies.

Encourage staff to share different

opinions and points of view so that meetings produce thoughtful, innovative results.

3. Use open-ended language. In your meetings and discussions, ask questions that stimulate creative thought and learning without simply focusing on finding “correct” answers. Show everyone on your team that you consider striving for improvement more important than arriving at a single “right” answer.

4. Treat mistakes as learning opportunities. Hold honest, straightforward conversations when something doesn’t work as anticipated. On a regular basis, ask team members what’s working and what isn’t. Look for lessons that might improve the process next time, as well as ideas for new processes that might result in an innovative product.

A baseball manager made an announcement to his team at the hotel on the morning of the game that there would be two buses leaving for the

ballpark. “The 2 p.m. bus will be for those players who need extra work, and the empty bus will be leaving at 5 p.m.”

We all need extra work if we want to improve.

Everyone is fascinated with big plays – a “Hail Mary” pass in football, a grand slam in baseball, a hat trick in hockey. However, quite often it’s the smaller plays, such as a base hit, negotiating a new labor contract or finding a way to improve a manufacturing process, that consistently achieve success. Never downplay the everyday efforts to up your game and keep making progress!

Mackay’s Moral: You don’t just get better; you make yourself better. n Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times best-seller “Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive.” He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com.

We all need extra work if we want to improve. | SPONSORED CONTENT |

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ARCHITECTURE

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

Standard and Featured options available.

The STANDARD listing includes 1 photo, 90-100 words of text, clickable links to your website, social media sharing and keywords to optimize search, and is: • published on PBN.com within 24 hours and archived on our site.

• printed in PBN. • featured on a PBN Daily Edition newsletter.

The FEATURED listing includes all Standard listing elements, in a larger print format, with company logo and 100 additional words of text (sample above).

Taylor Sutherland has been promoted to Job Captain of Vision 3 Architects. Taylor graduated from Roger Williams University (RWU) with a master of Architecture degree. He joined Vision 3 Architects as an Architectural Designer in 2018.

Taylor’s role as Job Captain supports all phases of project development from design through construction administration. He leads internal project production and assists with the coordination of all consultants. Vision 3 Architects is a nationally recognized architectural and interior design firm and ranked the largest architecture firm in the state of Rhode Island.

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

For a Featured listing, contact your account manager or Advertising@PBN.com 401.680.4800

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | 25

IT’S PERSONAL GUEST COLUMN | CHRIS CIUNCI

To market now, or not? crease the number of marketing levers I can pull to fill my customer pipeline – especially since my sales levers (i.e. trade shows, outside sales teams, sales representatives) have been shut down due to social d ­ istancing.

While you may not lower your marketing spend after reading the stats above, many of your competitors hopefully will. This void in the marketplace will create a great opportunity to increase market share without doing anything differently other than maintaining your historic marketing spend. Fewer competitors in the marketing arena equates to a decrease in competitive bidding for paid media channels, thus enabling companies that maintain spend to bid less than usual, amounting to a lowered cost per lead and higher return on investment. Using a sports analogy, decreasing marketing spend during a downturn is like taking your team off the field when it begins to rain and being replaced by other teams

who now have a much easier path to win the hearts and minds of the fans who remain in attendance. The smart organizations are the ones that keep playing during inclement weather, resulting in above-average marketing metrics, a lower cost per lead and a wider moat around their brands over the long term.

The words of legendary business icon Peter Drucker sum it up best: “Because the purpose of business is to create a customer, the business enterprise has two – and only two – basic functions: marketing and innovation.

Marketing and innovation produce results; all the rest are costs. Marketing is the distinguishing, unique function of the business.”

So the next time your chief financial officer or chief operating officer tells you it’s time to cut the marketing budget to save money, reference Peter Drucker and bring up all the other cost centers in the business that don’t revolve around the lifeblood of your business: attracting and keeping a customer. n

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I’m looking to increase the number of marketing levers I can pull.

g n i v i r h t ductive

the recession and three years after. n In 1985, those businesses who maintained their ad spend during the slowdown saw sales rise some 256%. n In 2001, studies demonstrate that companies more aggressive with advertising and marketing during the recession increased their market share by 2.5 times. n In 2009, Amazon.com Inc. innovated its Kindle product line, invested in growing marketing share and as a consequence, grew 28% during the Great Recession.

Business owners must also keep in mind that during recessions, customers are at a scarcity – with sales pipelines being ravaged and client churn accelerating. Knowing this, the thought of minimizing marketing spend is counterintuitive. On the contrary, businesses should think of cutting other cost centers before setting their sights on the marketing budget.

As a business owner myself, during these trying times I’m looking to in-

CREATIVE

AS WE FACE A RECESSION in the midst of a pandemic, businesses are reviewing budgets and annual plans to determine where to make cuts.

While marketing is often trimmed ahead of other business initiatives, savvy business owners will see the COVID-19 overhang as an opportunity to increase marketplace awareness and create further separation from the competition by maintaining or even increasing marketing spend.

If the Great Recession of 2008 is any guide, the businesses that maintained their marketing and advertising budgets came out the other side in a stronger position and owned a larger portion of their industry’s mindshare.

A 2009 paper called “Innovating through a Recession” by professor Andrew J. Razeghi at the Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management gave these statistics: n In 1981-1982, businesses that maintained or increased their advertising saw higher sales growth during

IT’S PERSONAL GUEST COLUMN | ARI TRACHTENBERG

Keep your distance and privacy

RHODE ISLAND MEDICAL IMAGING ince 1943 Rhode Island Medical Imaging (RIMI) has been providing southern New Englanders with imaging excellence. RIMI has a network of 12 private state-of-the-art medical diagnostic imaging facilities across the state, staffed by over 70 board certified radiologists with broad-based experience and subspecialty training.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

2018 is RIMI’s 75th anniversary and years, RIMI has had a front row seat to the everchanging healthcare paradigm that has witnessed many other healthcare practices, clinics, and hospitals fall by the wayside.

We have survived to this day because we focus on providing the very best care to our patients.

RIMI invests in the best imaging technologies, including the first and most extensive 3T MR imaging network in Rhode Island, which means patients receive the highest quality images available today, faster exams and in more comfort than ever before.

Patients who come to RIMI know that their Bone Density (DEXA), Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Mammography, Ultrasound, and X-ray results are the most accurate diagnostic results possible because they are reviewed by world class radiologists. The best healthcare depends on the quality of medical imaging and the physicians who read them.

From cutting edge technology and treatments, to the best clinical staff and physicians, to top notch facilities and services, RIMI’s sole focus remains the patient. As we celebrate our first 75 years, I look forward to the next 75 years.

Dr. John Pezzullo

RIMI radiologists are trained to look at complex images inside the human body and detect what is causing a patient’s symptoms. Typically, it is the RIMI radiologist who actually diagnoses any issues a patient is experiencing, which in turn provides the patient’s team of physicians the information that will help determine their best treatment.

RIMI radiologists are different because they all

COMPANY INFORMATION Rhode Island Medical Imaging Breast Imaging Center radiologists. Top row: Elizabeth Lazarus, MD, Susan Koelliker, MD, Robert Ward, MD, Z Liu, MD, Bianca Carpentier, MD, Martha Mainiero, MD, Ana Lourenco, MD, Elizabeth Dibble, MD, Hanan Khalil, MD; Bottom row: Vincent DeCesaris, MD, Linda Donegan, MD, Mary Hillstrom, MD. Not pictured: Shruthi Ram, MD, Mark Ridlen, MD.

RIMI’s Breast Imaging Center in East Greenwich have received extra training in special areas.

For example, a brain MRI will be read by a neuroradiologist, a mammogram will be read by a women’s imager, and a sports injury will be read by a musculoskeletal radiologist. RIMI’s breadth of sub-specialty expertise is unmatched in Rhode Island.

RIMI’s physicians have also been entrusted to train the next generation of radiologists as faculty members of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Additionally, RIMI radiologists are leaders in imaging research and many of them present at conferences throughout the United States and worldwide.

RIMI opened a new Breast Imaging Center in East Greenwich this August. It has a warm and welcoming spa-like boutique feel and offers convenient breast healthcare to all Rhode Islanders. No other facility like this currently exists in the state.

At the Breast Imaging Center patients find fluffy pink robes (no hospital gowns here), hot and cold beverages and a staff of highly skilled physicians, who are specially trained to read breast images, ensuring patients get the most accurate diagnostic results possible.

3D mammography, also known as breast tomosynthesis, is done on-site. This procedure creates a series of extremely clear images of the breast tissue, including dense breasts, which

4 | DECEMBER 2018 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n PROFILES OF SUCCESS | www.pbn.com

Profiles of success

makes it easier to see if there is anything to be concerned about. Breast ultrasound as well as breast biopsy are also performed here.

RIMI has the first non-hospital-based 3D tomosynthesis-guided Brevera Breast Biopsy System in Rhode Island. This advanced technology means patients will experience faster procedures, spend less time under compression and ultimately have a more positive biopsy experience.

Rhode Island Medical Imaging (RIMI) has a network of 12 private state-of-theart medical diagnostic imaging facilities that are staffed by over 70 board certified radiologists with broad-based experience and subspecialty training.

ADDRESS

125 Metro Center Blvd.

Warwick, RI 02886 PHONE

401.432.2400

Patients trust RIMI because they know that RIMI uses high quality technology, their images are read by highly trained doctors, and customer service is a top priority.

The American College of Radiology (ACR) named RIMI one of the first outpatient diagnostic imaging Centers of Excellence (COE) in the country and the first in Rhode Island. The rigorous COE process takes accreditation to a much higher level and offers RIMI the unique ability to set the benchmark for superior quality in diagnostic imaging. As a COE facility, patients can be sure that RIMI: • Provides patients with the utmost confidence of receiving today’s highest levels of imaging quality, safety and care • Offers excellence at multiple levels – the professional staff, technology, policies and procedures • Has exceeded the standard requirements of accreditation • Has an ongoing process for self-assessment and improvement The ACR award formally recognizes RIMI’s ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality of medical imaging in Rhode Island. RIMI’s outstanding radiologists combined with state-of-the-art imaging technology offers patients the ultimate diagnostic imaging experience – unrivaled by any other imaging center in the state.

RIMI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John Pezzullo, MD President

John Cronan, MD Ex Officio

Peter Evangelista, MD Vice President

Bryan Jay, MD Vice President

WEBSITE

www.rimirad.com NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

500

Your company's profile in this section features a two-page spread of text, photos and an info box highlighting your company's vital statistics.

outst

d r a r t w re plishment m o t c n ac e m e v e i h ac EMAIL

feedback@rimirad.com SOCIAL MEDIA:

@rimirad @rimirad

Rhode Island Medical Imaging @rimirad

YEAR ESTABLISHED

1943

Michael Beland, MD Treasurer

ine0: l d a e d l materia er 20, 202

Brian Murphy, MD Secretary

www.pbn.com | PROFILES OF SUCCESS n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | DECEMBER 2018

is designed to help you promote: • • • • •

Some of the solutions do attempt to safeguard privacy.

PLAN

have never lost our

RIMI has full service locations in Barrington, Cranston, East Greenwich, Lincoln, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence and Warwick as well as smaller sites in Coventry, East Providence, Lincoln (Wake Robin) and Warren.

Ari Trachtenberg is a professor of electrical and computer engineering, systems engineering and computer science at Boston University.

Distributed by The Associated Press.

booming

throughout these 75

of the cellphone-based solutions only share randomly generated data that is useful only for contact-tracing apps that tell the phone’s owner about potential exposures. Some of the wearables do not use a central repository, instead deleting data after 14 days.

Some of the technologies prevent employers from accessing employee contact history. In these approaches, only employees who have been near an infected individual are alerted.

Employers are naturally anxious to get a broad picture of worker health, but the greater insight necessarily intrudes on privacy. I believe the ideal scenario is where the worker – and no one else – knows only that he has been exposed to the virus recently, not when, where or by whom. n

legacy

S

RIMI radiologists interpret imaging in Rhode Island at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Miriam Hospital, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, Roger Williams Medical Center, and Women & Infants Hospital, and most recently at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, MA. Most of RIMI’s radiologists are faculty members at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

recorded, both parties must be using the technology.

Employers can already legally read employee emails, monitor calls and record video of employees. What additional risk does contact tracing present?

The location data used by some contact-tracing solutions can be intensely personal. It can identify with whom workers eat lunch or even what they purchased for lunch. It can identify what fraction of the workday is spent by the water cooler, and even how often and for how long the bathroom is used. Without explicit safeguards, employees are forced to choose between keeping their jobs and maintaining their privacy.

Fortunately, some of the solutions do attempt to safeguard privacy in a variety of ways.

It is important that data shared with the employer – or any third party – should be anonymous and not tied to personal information. Indeed, several

ments between devices. A more common medium is Bluetooth Low Energy, which is used for headphones and portable speakers, though it may produce less consistently accurate distance information.

Finally, sound itself can be used to determine distance to other people.

The advantage is that it respects wall and door boundaries just like the coronavirus.

Contact-tracing apps, which are used to alert people when they’ve been exposed to an infected person, loosely adhere to a common design. They include approaches focusing on privacy and security, or precise distance measurements using sound outside of the human hearing range.

Wearables, devices that a person can wear like a bracelet or a ring, can also be used for social distancing. Popular workplace wearables can buzz or otherwise alert employees when they get within 6 feet of each other. Other devices monitor health indicators such as pulse and body temperature.

Although some modeling suggests that even crude social distancing can help spread out infection rates over time, digital contact tracing faces serious challenges of adoption – in order for an infectious contact to be

E C N E D I V O e v R i t P a r luc

AS WE EMERGE FROM the coronavirus lockdown, those of us who still have a workplace may not recognize it. Businesses, eager to limit liability for employees and customers, are considering a variety of emerging technologies for limiting COVID-19 spread.

These technologies can be loosely divided into two types: one based on cellphone technologies and the other using wearable devices such as electronic bracelets. Both approaches focus on maintaining social distancing, nominally 6 feet between workers.

Most workers will have little choice whether to participate in their employer’s risk mitigation. But it’s essential that both employees and employers understand the technologies in use, their effectiveness at reducing risk of infection and the risks they may pose to the privacy and wellbeing of all involved.

Social-distancing technologies are designed to warn workers when they get too close to each other, typically relying on communications that can travel only short distances.

Perhaps the most promising communication technology for social distancing is ultra-wideband, which enables precise distance measure-

| 5

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P

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An anniversary, accomplishment or milestone event A new product line or service Uniqueness and competitive edge Brand and image in the community Your team of professionals

Contact your Account Manager or Advertising@PBN.com | 401-680-4800

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | 27

OPINION EDITORIALS

To survive past reopening, small businesses will need more help

VOICE IN ­WILDERNESS? Lt. Gov. Daniel J. McKee has been unable to get Gov. Gina M. Raimondo and other state leaders to commit some of the $1.25 billion in federal COVID-19 aid to small businesses.

COURTESY OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Small businesses were noticeably absent from a long list of priorities for $1.25 billion in federal aid for COVID-19 expenses outlined on June 9 by Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s administration. This was less surprising than disappointing, given Lt. Gov. Daniel J. McKee’s recent break with the governor on the state’s handling of the funding. Lt. Gov. McKee, chairman of Rhode Island’s Small Business Advocacy Council, has rightly called on the governor and other state leaders to do more to recognize the economic crisis many of those businesses are facing.

“Not having a plan to use a portion of those dollars to help small businesses stay alive indicates that it’s not a priority,” the former Cumberland mayor told PBN recently.

Lt. Gov. McKee, who comes from a family of small-business owners, supports monthly grants for struggling businesses with fewer than 50 employees. He has also called for a state-guaranteed loan program to allow those businesses to borrow at no interest and with deferred payments.

Gov. Raimondo and other state leaders have refused to commit to those programs or some other combination of significant financial support to help small businesses survive beyond short-term federal loans.

The governor has understandably been focused on leading a successful, phased reopening of the state’s economy. But small businesses are the very backbone of that economy and will be the ones to lead the state out of the pandemicinduced recession.

State leaders must ensure more funding is focused on helping as many of those businesses stay alive as is possible. n

A women’s summit to remember Bryant University’s 2020 Women’s Summit will be remembered as much for persevering in the midst of a pandemic, as for the inspirational speakers and challenging work sessions the event has long been identified with.

COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of innumerable local events, adding to the sense of loss and, at times, hopelessness many Rhode Islanders have felt in recent months.

But summit organizers scrambled after the initial March postponement to make the 23rd annual event on June 10 the first to be held virtually via Zoom.

More than 1,000 participants signed up, on par with annual sellouts. And the virtual format offered an added bonus, allowing those who signed up virtually to attend as many of the approximately 20 recorded workshops as they’d like.

This year’s themed “Expand Our Vision” summit was the last for founder and director Kati Machtley.

She and other organizers and participants deserve a round of applause for carrying on in the face of crisis – a powerful message this year’s summit will long ­ symbolize. n

POLL CENTRAL EXECUTIVE POLL

PBN.COM POLL

At this stage, is your company operating in a different manner than in the past due to the pandemic?

Has freelance work, or the freelancers you regularly use, disappeared due to the COVID-19 pandemic? MAY 29-JUNE 4

A change in operation Yes: 87%

How have these changes improved your operation?

(Select any that apply) Our operation has not changed: 50%

No: 13 %

We have upgraded our technology: 38% We have discovered new ways to do business: 25%

In what way is your company operating differently?

(Select any that apply) We have implemented strict health and safety protocols: 38%

We are operating more cost-effectively: 25% Other: 26%

We are now mostly a remote operation: 25% We have changed our business model to operate in the new normal: 25%

What are some new business opportunities you expect to take advantage of? (Select any that apply) We are capitalizing on the shift in consumer behavior: 38%

We are not operating any differently than we have in the past: 13%

We are exploring digitization to conduct business: 25%

We have eliminated face-to-face interaction and conduct most of our business via teleconference, etc.: 0% We have medical personnel visit our office to test our staff: 0% We have created a PTO pool to accommodate employee needs: 0%

We are not taking advantage of new business opportunities: 25% Other: 38% 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.

28 | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

Yes, the work has disappeared due to business closings or contraction

Yes, the workers are no longer interested because they can collect unemployment

43%

No, I am still finding work

43%

7%

No, we can still find the freelancers we need

7%

THIS WEEK’S POLL: Do state leaders have the right spending priorities for $1.25 billion Rhode Island has received for expenses related to COVID-19?

•Y es, they can’t satisfy everyone. The broad target areas match the biggest needs • No, helping small business through grant and loan programs has to be a bigger priority • I don’t know To vote, go to PBN.com and follow the link on the home page

OPINION OPINION

A chance to reassess R.I.’s priorities

MICHAEL DIBIASE GUEST COLUMN

Rhode Island has been hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic than most states, and the economic fallout has left the General Assembly with a massive $800 million shortfall in state revenues for fiscal 2020 and 2021.

State revenues are unlikely to rebound any time soon and employment levels are not projected to return to pre-COVID-19 levels until 2023, according to the economic forecast adopted by state revenue estimators.

The Ocean State fortunately has received $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds – a relatively large allocation for Rhode Island’s population compared with other states. For example, Connecticut has a population nearly four times larger and received $1.4 billion in relief funds.

While this level of federal support is helpful, there are restrictions on spending these funds that create challenges and uncertainty.

Rhode Island, and every other state, would benefit from more unrestricted federal funding given the magnitude of the crisis.

Understandably, the prospect of additional federal funding or eased restrictions on funding appears to have forced Rhode Island’s budget makers to pump the breaks – at least for the time being – on the budget process.

They can only delay so long, though. Rhode Island needs to devise a budget and invest for the long term regardless of the availability of more federal funding.

We need to be clear on the difference between one-time expenditures to deal with

the pandemic and its aftermath, and our regular rate of spending. Although Rhode Island enacts a balanced budget each year, we also have had stubborn projected deficits, with future spending commitments exceeding our available revenues. As a result, it’s become the norm to face a large deficit each year, even in years of an expanding economy and increasing state revenues. We will need to use federal funds to fill budget gaps, but we also need to recognize that the federal funding is a one-time economic injection. We should not rely on it to expand our spending beyond our future ability to pay.

Our first spending priority obviously needs to be responding to the public health emergency. Fortunately, nearly all of these expenditures will be covered by the federal government. Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s administration has reported that about $650 million has been committed already to pay for response costs such as backup hospitals, personal protective equipment, medical supplies and testing.

Second, the legislature should do its best to maintain essential social services – health care, food, housing, income support and other social services – to support Rhode Islanders in need so that they can get back on their feet and back on the job. Some of the flexibility in federal funding should be used to avoid cuts in essential services – cuts that would just make the situation worse. In addition, policymakers should consider using

Policymakers should think beyond simply filling gaps in a budget.

one-time federal dollars for temporary grants for rental assistance, responding to food insecurity, and cash assistance, if appropriate.

Third, the legislature should protect and advance the state’s progress in becoming more economically competitive and productive. While Rhode Island had low unemployment before the crisis, the pandemic reminds us that our economy is too dependent on low-wage and seasonal jobs. We need to avoid the temptation to raise taxes on business, which will be counterproductive in the long run. Instead, we should consider using onetime federal funds for grants and other assistance to help those businesses hardest hit to survive – loans are not going to be enough.

There is a lot of business destruction happening and we need to stop the bleeding.

Policymakers should think beyond simply filling gaps in a budget that was developed before the pandemic. We should reassess our priorities and pursue investments that support and accelerate the recovery and best position Rhode Island for a changing economy.

Crises often make room for bold initiatives and changes in government policy that were previously unattainable. We should consider using one-time federal funds or perhaps new state borrowing to take advantage of opportunities presented by the changing economic landscape. I urge our policymakers to find the will to make investments and streamline government to position Rhode Island to be stronger than we were before the pandemic. n Michael DiBiase is the CEO and president of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council.

He previously served as the state’s director of the Department of Administration.

Youth Pride aims to ensure no need to hide

GUILLAUME BAGAL

TAYLA REO GUEST COLUMN

Don’t hide your pride. This simple yet powerful sentence is the theme of Rhode Island Pride this year. This request, prayer even, sums up a reoccurring struggle for sexual and gender minorities. Preparing for our first meeting as board chair and vice chair of Youth Pride Inc., we are pleased to note the similarity between Rhode Island Pride’s theme and YPI’s slogan: “Don’t grow up invisible.” It is a message that rings true to us as we go about our lives in our workplaces or show up in unfamiliar spaces with our spouses. It is a message we want all LGBTQ+ youths in Rhode Island to internalize, and the reason we serve on the Youth Pride Inc. board along with other incredible advocates.

Youth Pride Inc. is the safe space we wish we had growing up, an affirming environment to guide us and our families through the many ups and downs of an identity we did not understand. While we are both fortunate to work in companies that are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, we recognize that there is an abundance of work left to do. According to a Human Rights Campaign report two years ago, approximately half of LGBTQ employees in the U.S. remain closeted at work. Given that many of us spend more time with colleagues

than we do with some family members, it is clear that hiding important aspects of one’s identity can jeopardize the ability to form meaningful connections within a team, or can cause stress during small talk about weekend plans. In helping YPI provide support, advocacy and education for hundreds of youths in our communities every year, we invest in a future where no young person in Rhode Island will wonder if their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression will influence a job offer or their ability to gain a sense of belonging in the workplace.

Youth Pride Inc. celebrated its 25th anniversary last October. YPI has evolved from a small support group called “The Way Out” to the strong and outspoken organization we are today. At our drop-in center on Westminster Street, YPI offers four weekly peer-to-peer support groups, including one for gender nonconforming youths and one for youths ages 9 to 13. We have counselors on-site daily to provide one-on-one counseling, as many LGBTQ+ youths suffer the effects of family rejection, social isolation and lack of access to supportive educational, mental and medical health resources.

Additionally, youths build strength and self-esteem through OUTSpoken, YPI’s lead-

ership development program, by holding seats on YPI’s board and planning activities and events with the Youth Programming Council.

Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about drastic changes to our routines, including having to practice social distancing and isolation. Recognizing that many LGBTQ+ youths are home with families who don’t understand them or are coping with racial tensions plaguing our communities, we got to work to reconfigure our programs. YPI quickly adapted to provide continued access to our basic-needs pantry, by advocating for policies that support LGBTQ+ youths, and through offering virtual activities and counseling services.

Until we can be together again, and especially during this symbolic month of Pride, we will continue to do everything to ensure that no youth grows up invisible, and we hope you join us in this work. n Guillaume Bagal is Youth Pride Inc.’s incoming board chair and Tayla Reo is incoming vice chair. Bagal leads Diversity & Inclusion at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. Reo works on the global publishing team at Hasbro Inc. and leads Hasbro’s LGBTQ+ employee network.

www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | 29

ONE LAST THING Leading with values Les Hiscoe Shawmut Design and Construction CEO Les Hiscoe joined Shawmut Design and Construction in 1998, rising to the role of chief operating officer in 2012 and CEO in 2015. He drives the continued growth of the $1.5 billion company, which has a Providence office, by focusing on the unique needs of each customer and project.

COVID-19

has created challenges few of us could have imagined. While the circumstances are new, Shawmut is still guided by the core values we established when we were founded in 1982. Since the onset of this pandemic, we have leaned on these values, including putting our people first, finding a better way and walking the walk.

Perhaps most essential as we navigate these uncharted waters is ensuring a heightened level of engagement with employees. We know that transparent, frequent and empathetic communication is key to building trust and easing people’s fear and uncertainty. This starts with executive leadership huddles every day that focus on how we ensure our people remain safe.

Next, we worked to enhance our world-class safety program by creating an industry-leading COVID-19 safety protocol plan. We mobilized technologies originally designed to monitor for safety compliance and used them to help manage appropriate social distancing.

We introduced a custom-built technology platform, Shawmut Vitals, that enables digital health screening and contact tracing through job-specific QR codes on every project.

While we are fortunate to have been one of the few essential industries allowed to continue working in Rhode Island, the health and safety of our people have remained our top priority. As the state steps toward reopening, I encourage every business to move at a cadence that allows you to keep the well-being of your people top of mind.

While it may mean moving at a slower pace, it will pay dividends in the long run in a game that is driven by talent and led by our greatest asset – our people. n COURTESY SHAWMUT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

30 | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com

40

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Congratulations to the Winners!

ERICA ADAMS, Director of Development, Providence Public Library ERIC ARMY, Founder & Principal, Studio MEJA Architecture JASON BENEKER, Engineering & Maintenance Manager, AMGEN JUSTIN BOUDJOUK, Senior Vice President & Senior Director of Risk, Citizens Financial Group TIFFANY BUMGARDNER-SCHEFFLER, Director of Field Service/COO, Narragansett Council Boy Scouts of America DAVE COMELLA, Chief Information Officer, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island TUAN DANG, Director, Corporate Finance, IGT RYAN DAVIS, Associate Vice President for Institutional Equity and Diversity Brown University GIANNI DEL SIGNORE, CFO, Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. ANNIE DICKSON, COO, Capital Good Fund SAMUEL DONABEDIAN, Director, Business Intelligence & Analytics Ocean State Job Lot DEREK DUBOIS, Director, Retail Finance CVS Health EUGENIO FERNANDEZ, Owner, Asthenis SHAUN GALLIGAN, Head of Environmental, Health & Safety Finlays NICOLE GRENIER, MD, FAAD/Vice Chair of Clinical Operations, Brown Dermatology ERICA GUATIERI, Owner, EHG LLC ELIZABETH HENTHORNE, Vice President, Enterprise Risk Management, The Washington Trust Company ROSS HILLIARD, Associate Residency Director, Director of Medical Informatics, Brown Medicine & Lifespan JESSICA JEWELL, Associate, Nixon Peabody LLP ANDREA KEEFE, Acting Assistant Vice President for Development, Director of Major Gifts, Providence College DWAYNE KEYS, Senior Financial Coach, Compass Working Capital JAMES KWON, CEO, Figmints Digital Creative Marketing DANIEL LEFKOWITZ, Pharmacy Manager, Genoa Healthcare SHANNON LUTTGE, Sr. Leader, Leadership Content Product Manager, Skillsoft KURT MANCINI, SVP - Portfolio Oversight Director, Bank of America/Private Bank JAMES MCCURDY, Vice President of Finance, Gilbane Development Company JACKSON PARMENTER, Partner, Kelly, Souza, Rocha & Parmenter MICHAEL PATACAO, VP, Commercial Loan Officer, Bristol County Savings Bank GINA PELLICANO, Director, Citrin Cooperman & Company SERENA PETRUCCI, AVP, Deposit Operations Manager, Centreville Bank RICHARD PEZZILLO, Executive Director, New England Hemophilia Association LEO POLLOCK, Co-founder & Managing Partner, The Compost Plant KATHRYN RATTIGAN, Associate, Robinson+Cole ROB ROCK, Director of Elections, RI Department of State ABBAS RUPAWALA, MD., Gastroenterologist, Brown Medicine/Brown Physicians, Inc. JULIA SAULINO, Founder & President, The FLY (Financial Lift for Young Adults with Cancer) Foundation/Director, Raytheon Technologies MATTHEW SHEAFF, Director of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement, RI Commerce JEFFREY THOMAS, VP of Human Resources, Contact Center & Distribution, Luxury Brand Holdings Inc. SANDRA VICTORINO, Director of Acute Care Services, The Providence Center KRISTIN ZOSA PULEO, Director of Programs, Leadership Rhode Island #PBN40Uforty

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5.6.20_CB_GetStarted_PBNRegister_9.78x13.73V2.pdf

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*You can enter the Contest by visiting the official registration page at www.GetStartedRI.com and completing all of the required information and following all posted instructions. Contest is open only to legal residents of Rhode Island who: (1) are at least 18 years of age; (2) are the owner, principal, or general manager of a business that is physically located within a Cox Business serviceable area. BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT (1) YOUR MATERIALS ARE NOT CONFIDENTIAL AND NO CONFIDENTIAL OR FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP IS INTENDED OR CREATED BY ENTERING THE CONTEST; AND (2) THE CONTEST ENTITIES MAY POSSESS OR COME TO POSSESS INFORMATION THAT IS SIMILAR OR IDENTICAL TO YOUR MATERIALS, AND YOU HEREBY AGREE THAT THE CONTEST ENTITIES MAY USE SUCH SIMILAR OR IDENTICAL INFORMATION WITHOUT LIMITATION, COMPENSATION, OR CREDIT TO YOU. Void where prohibited. Contest subject to Complete Official Rules. To obtain a copy of the winner’s list or a copy of these Official Rules, send your request along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to “Cox Business Get Started” Winners/Rules, Heather Hall, Cox Communications, Inc., 6305 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30328. Sponsor: Cox Communications, Inc., d/b/a Cox Business, 6205-B Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30328. © 2020 Cox Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

32 | JUNE 12-18, 2020 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | www.pbn.com