21 to Watch in Rhode Island in 2021 - THE FULL LIST

Omar Bah

Omar Bah is one of those special people that seems to move to where new immigrants have needs -- and find solutions.

As the founder of the Refugee Dream Center — a post resettlement refugee agency that offers services targeting gaps within the refugee community — he has become a tour de force of action and positive energy.

Before the pandemic, Bah was very busy working on adult and youth mentoring programs, health promotion projects, and grant applications (to name a few), tirelessly providing ongoing support to refugee families in Rhode Island, many of whom still suffer from psychological trauma and are trying to adjust to their new lives. 

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Joe Shekarchi

It’s a new era in Rhode Island.

Speaker-elect Joseph Shekarchi is poised to take the helm of the Rhode Island House of Representatives in January, following a tumultuous 2020.

While soon-to-be former Speaker Nick Mattiello was ousted in November, Shekarchi — who served as Majority Leader under Mattiello — has the opportunity to chart his own course.

Shekarchi in the waning days of 2020 oversaw the passage of a stop-gap Fiscal Year 2021 budget that was heavy on spending from federal CARES Act dollars — but light on addressing the state’s significant fiscal realities moving forward. 

Leonela “Leo” Felix

There is something in the water in Pawtucket — folks who grew up there are tough and focused.

One of Rhode Island’s newest State Representatives, Leonela “Leo” Felix, is ready to serve.

Her story is epic.

She worked at McDonald's.

Attended Shea.

CCRI.

RIC.

New England Law.

She writes in her bio, “My first job was at the McDonald’s on Lonsdale Avenue, and in 2018 my mother cried tears of joy when I graduated from law school. The journey from a low wage job to a stable future is what many families dream for their children.”

Felix is the American dream personified, now let's see what the high energy lawyer can get done at the State House.

A building that has been low energy and with little accomplishments other than being locked down -- keep an eye on what 2021 holds. 

Maria Rivera

It’s a new era in Central Falls.

Maria Rivera, the Mayor-elect, is the first woman to take the helm of the state’s smallest city, with one of its most diverse populations.

After quickly establishing a transition team to help advise her on priorities for City Hall, Rivera announced the team recommended that the city restructure personnel and office space to create a new “Office of Constituent Services and Public Health” — a timely suggestion, given Central Falls’ continually high COVID-19 infection rate. 

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Melitzi Torres

The 2022 election cycle is well underway — and the RI Latino PAC has new leadership as the Rhode Island Governor’s race, and Providence Mayoral contest — are up for grabs. 

Melitzi Torres, a Brown University graduate and the Dean of Blackstone Valley Prep, is now the President of the political fundraising powerhouse that will have a major role in the upcoming political cycle. 

A graduate of the New Leaders Council, Torres spearheads a new leadership slate as well as a board that includes former Jorge Elorza staffer and now General Treasurer Seth Magaziner staffer, Patricia Socarras.

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David Duke

The Providence native is poised for a big year for the Providence College Friars.

Now a junior, David Duke — who received the team’s Most Improved Player award following his sophomore season — scored a Big East Player of the week award early in December, followed by an Honor Roll appearance this past week.

And the season has just begun. 

"Coach always asks me to stay aggressive and never take my foot off the gas," Duke said following the Friars’ win over TCU on December 9. 

Duke leads all Friars scorers as of Wednesday, averaging 19.7 points per game, just a sliver ahead of teammate Nate Watson who has 19.1.

Alex Lavin

In an industry riddled with politicos, lobbyists and friends of friends, Alex Lavin may be Rhode Island’s first corporate player in the emerging RI marijuana industry.

He is the President of Growth Industries — the Warwick facility is the first best-in-class facility in Rhode Island. Lavin says the company has invested $7.5 million into the Warwick facility

Lavin is an advocate for stronger regulations — he says the state has allowed the three existing medical marijuana facilities to buy and sell product that is of a "low standard."

Lavin says the state still needs to improve its regulatory structure and testing protocol. Specifically, he urges full panel testing — looking at all aspects of the product and more than just evaluation of THC levels.

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Jack Ryan

Nope, not that Jack Ryan. This Jack Ryan is the architect who is emerging in Rhode Island to potentially be a tour de force.

His work is smart, classic, modern — in other words, unexpected and remarkably inspiring.

Ryan graduated from RISD twenty-five years ago and stayed in Providence. He worked for Friedrich St Florian on the World War II Memorial in Washington, and then for architects Kyna Leski and Chris Bardt at their firm, 3SixO, before going out on his own.

We like that he teaches at Roger Williams University, but we love that he has volunteered at The Met School.

His work is varied and in 2016, he wowed everyone with his post-earthquake work in Haiti for the Haitian Ministry of Education. He directly supervised a team of Haitian workers in the construction of the first six classrooms, which were published by Architectural Record.

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Kristen Adamo

When she took the role as the President of the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) in 2019, Kristen Adamo — who has worked at the CVB since 2005 — could hardly have envisioned what 2020 would have in store. 

Now, Adamo is facing a whole new - and uncertain restaurant and tourist landscape in 2021. 

Innovation was the name of the game in 2020, when pandemic restrictions forced businesses — and industry leaders such as Adamo — to come up with new approaches to getting people to support restaurants and the tourism industry.

From doubling down on eating outside, to focusing on staycations, and most recently, introducing “Joy Rides” to Rhode Islanders and visitors alike, Adamo helped shepherd in a new approach to dining, entertainment, and more. 

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Liz Tanner

Liz Tanner made her name by slashing government regulations — tens of thousands of pages of unnecessary regulations. She did it by meeting with businesspeople and listening to what would make their lives easier and Rhode Island more competitive.

As head of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Liz Tanner has a sweeping array of responsibilities.

She helped Rhode Island develop a leading regulatory structure for blockchain technology -- and, won a national award for her leadership.

This year, she has had to enforce Governor Gina Raimondo’s regulations and closures during the pandemic.

Now, her biggest challenge is emerging.

Tanner oversees the state’s regulation of marijuana and her first big test will be the expansion of the medical marijuana facilities — from 3 today to 9 in just a few months.

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Christian Cowan and Mary Johnson

401 Tech Bridge broke out in 2020.

The new economic development organization announced the completion of a $6 million funding round. It secured a $2.3 million implementation grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to rounds out the capital raise to support its launch, which includes the addition of a new 17,000 square-foot Advanced Materials and Technology Center in Portsmouth.

Behind the launch and the early success were Christian Cowan and Mary Johnson. The two had teamed up at Polaris MEP — the manufacturing group organization.

Now, they will help one of the most innovative and potentially significant economic development initiatives in Rhode Island. 

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Anthony Spiratos + Kenneth Zorabedian

The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 turned many businesses on their heads, and perhaps none more so than in the restaurant industry. 

With a myriad of executive orders coming from the Governor’s office, owners faced significant challenges, and among the most devastating, having to address staffing overages — quite simply, there were too many workers, and not enough customers allowed in establishments.

People however took to takeout and delivery in the wake of being unable to dine in the usual way.

Enter entrepreneurs Anthony Spiritos and Kenny Zorabedian -- who want to bring food delivery back to the local level -- and away from GrubHub, DoorDash, and the likes.  

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Kim Anderson

Can the plant-based businesswoman hit another home run?

Kim Anderson — who owns the popular Plant City in Providence — is hedging on a new location in Middletown to be the next great success.

In 2019, GoLocal was first to report on the impending arrival of the vegan food hall Plant City, the brainchild of Matthew Kenney -- and embraced by Anderson.  

And while the first location between South Main and South Water Street in Providence has been a hit with students, residents, and visitors alike, Anderson is now embarking on a new concept. 

A vegan drive-though on Aquidneck Island. 

Anderson may have capitalized on the rise in popularity of vegan cuisine, but make no mistake about it, she is a true believer in the movement, and sustainable living. 

In December, Anderson announced that Plant City in Providence is operating on electricity produced from 100% renewable energy.

During the pandemic, Plant City was among the first restaurants — with an outdoor patio -- to push for innovative outdoor dining.

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Tim Babineau and James Fanale

Healthcare is one of the biggest business sectors in Rhode Island and it potentially faces its biggest change in history in 2021.

The ongoing merger negotiation between the state's largest and second-largest hospital groups could create a mega-healthcare corporation.

The merger discussion is being driven by Lifespan’s CEO Timothy Babineau and Care New England’s James Fanale — two rivals who are now working urgently to complete a deal before the end of the fiscal year — September 30, 2021.

Care New England has been in economic chaos for years — it has lost more than $150 million over the past five years, closed Pawtucket Memorial Hospital laying off nearly 1,000 employees and failing to make needed payments for pension funds.

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Fane, Small and Abdo

Presently, three of the most transformative development projects in Providence are in suspended animation due to the pandemic.

The three — each distinct from one another — are facing regulatory, legal or financing challenges.

The developers — all from out-of-state — have targeted Providence for projects that combined are estimated to cost approximately $400 million.

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RI’s Music Scene

It is a make or break year for many of Rhode Island’s most talented, professional musicians.

The pre-pandemic life was always a juggling act, balancing performing with other part or full-time work. Few had the luxury of being a full-time musician despite their immense talent.

The closure of music venues, bars and restaurants in 2020 has nearly crippled their work.

Many like Mark Cutler, Briana White and Kevin Herchen have made efforts to delight and connect with their fans by performing online.

Rhode Island pound for pound has as a diverse array of super talented artists as anywhere in the country --  who are great to hear remotely, but nothing beats them live. 

From Leland Baker’s sax solos to Mickey Lamantia’s pure-country sound, we can’t wait to see them live online or better yet, hear them in person in 2021.

Kelly Ramirez

In a state with no functional venture funds and even less formal private equity funds that are locally-focused, the startup community is always running uphill.

Kelly Ramirez is working to spark the startup community with a flair for social consciousness.

She has deep academic background and has taught Social Entrepreneurship at RISD, Salve Regina, Providence College, and in the Brown University Leadership Institute

Her Social Enterprise Greenhouse is involved with a plethora of initiatives, some of which have targeted places like Central Falls and Newport — not exactly Silicon Valley.

If one thing the pandemic did was further flatten the world, then being in tech hubs may be less important than before.

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RI's College Presidents

Universities and colleges across the country are under tremendous financial pressure. There are growing signs that students and their families are unwilling and unable to take on mammoth debt as those before them were willing to do.

Moreover, in higher education in Rhode Island, a number of college presidents are new and have not been through the significant economic challenges of today and the future.

In addition, there are two major schools with vacancies at the top spot READ MORE HERE

Frank Picozzi

The new mayor of Warwick is best known for two things — pulling off one of the biggest political upsets in Rhode Island history and great Christmas decorations.

For the affable Picozzi, he needs to prove that his victory was more about a new vision for Warwick and less about the dislike of soon to be former Mayor Joe Solomon — a man who insulted and offended almost everyone in town.

But, Picozzi’s window for proving effective is short. He is up for reelection in just 2 years.

The former Warwick School Committee has some, but limited experience.

Warwick Democrats on the City Council and in the legislature will be circling like sharks.

READ MORE HERE

Jared Grasso

Jared Grasso enters his third season as the head coach of Bryant University men's basketball and he is a maniac.

Grasso this season got into a public battle over his high profile game against Syracuse University — a game that Bryant almost pulled a massive upset.

This season Bryant is 7-2 and the two losses were a 1-point loss to Syracuse and a 2-point loss to St. Francis.

Grasso last season saw major improvement for the Bryant team. He became a hot commodity — Iona came knocking. Reportedly he passed on returning to Iona where he was an assistant and Rick Pitino grabbed the job. READ MORE HERE

Superman Building

Rhode Island’s tallest building -- the Industrial Bank Building or better known as the Superman building -- enters its eighth year of vacancy in 2021.

In 2019, it was named one of "America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in its annual list.

But, 2020 was a year of silence.

State economic development officials were absorbed with the coronavirus and trying to keep existing Rhode Island businesses open.

Trying to market a nearly 100-year-old building that needs an estimated $100 million or more in rehabilitation seems to be an epic challenge.

In the post-pandemic world is there a market for high-rise living or working in Providence? Is this the type of live or work environment that anyone will seek? READ MORE HERE