Political Profile: David Tikoian, Candidate for State Senate District 22
GoLocalProv Political Team
Political Profile: David Tikoian, Candidate for State Senate District 22
1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island?
The Economy. A thriving economy lays the foundation to address a myriad of issues. Robust economic development fosters opportunities, jobs, and a tax base to fund educational and social service programs, public safety, affordable housing, rebuilding aging infrastructure and so much more. Good paying jobs allow Rhode Islanders to live the quality life they deserve in a state they can be proud to call home. With my experience successfully managing two multi-million dollar budgets, I look forward to sharing my expertise to grow a stronger economy.
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2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?
Invest in shared municipal services. Identifying savings through shared municipal services will alleviate some of the strain placed on municipal budgets. For example, recently Smithfield entered into an agreement with North Providence and Johnston for a Tri-Town Animal Shelter. One animal shelter serves three municipalities sharing the cost of operations and staffing for each town. Additionally, we need to make a concerted effort to reduce government spending so Rhode Island can remain affordable. Rhode Islanders cannot continue to suffer from the onerous taxes that have plagued our state for decades and that is why we need to look at phasing out other taxes, just as we did with the car tax.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
The cost of doing business. As an advocate for entrepreneurship, the business climate in Rhode Island needs to improve dramatically. We must grow our economy by facilitating incentives for small businesses to thrive and offer employment opportunities to our residents, particularly our graduates so they stay in Rhode Island after graduation. Collectively we have to think outside the box, identifying methods that will reduce the cost of operating in our state and ensure businesses are not subjected to burdensome regulation and bureaucracy. This philosophy will grow the economy by forging a business friendly environment, attracting new businesses to our state, generating additional revenues. An infusion of revenue from increased economic development can be directed to supplement municipal budgets and alleviate the tax burden placed upon our residents, specifically those on fixed incomes, such as our seniors and veterans.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
My entire professional career, has been in public service. As a State Trooper, I understood both the impact and importance of serving our state and community. The ability to positively influence the lives of others is an extremely rewarding experience. This understanding has only been amplified during my service on the Town Council. That is why I wish to take this next step in public service.
As an elected town official, former Major of the Rhode Island State Police and North Providence Police Chief, I have the experience in both state and municipal government. Having had the oversight responsibility of a $97 million State Police budget, the experience with implementing an $82 million municipal budget in Smithfield as member of the Town Council, I possess the necessary leadership and financial acumen to effectively serve the constituents of Senate District 22 in the Rhode Island State House. I will rely on that experience to deliver the same honest, transparent, professional and common sense leadership in the State Senate as I did on the Town Council.
5. Who is your inspiration?
Without question, my grandparents, Garabed and Taviz Topalian, who were survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Both of my grandparents came to America as orphans, their entire families killed during the massacre. Whenever I am faced with a difficult or challenging situation, I think about what my grandparents endured and by the grace of God, what they survived. Had my grandparents not survived the genocide, I would not be here. I am proud to have been the first Armenian Police Chief in the State, the first Armenian to be a member of the State Police Command Staff, the first Armenian elected to the Smithfield Town Council and with a lot of hard work and support from the constituents in Senate District 22, hopefully, will make history again as a member of the Rhode Island State Senate.
Bio: David P. Tikoian
David is the Deputy General Manager of Rhode Island’s largest water utility, Providence Water Supply Board. As the Deputy General Manager, he is responsible for the oversight of numerus departments, including; Customer Service, Support Services, Human Recourses, Finance, Information Technology, Cyber Security & Intergovernmental Relations.
Prior to joining Providence Water, Tikoian dedicated over 25 years to law enforcement in the State of Rhode Island, first as a State Trooper, then on a municipal level as a Chief of Police.
From 2017-2020 he was the North Providence Police Chief and has been credited with transforming the agency. Under his leadership the Department was successful in earning Rhode Island State Accreditation. He was also the Chairperson of the North Providence Public Safety Building Committee where he utilized his strong financial oversight ensuring the $28-million capital project was completed on time and $1-Million under budget.
In 1992 Tikoian graduated from the Rhode Island State Police Academy, serving on the State Police for over 23 years, rising to the rank of Major/Chief Administrative Officer and member of the Command Staff. A significant portion of his responsibilities included oversight of the agency's Finance Office and its’ $97-million budget. As Major, he was also the department’s liaison to the Rhode Island General Assembly, testifying before numerous House and Senate committees on various pieces of legislation.
In 2104, Tikoian was nominated to the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia where he graduated from the prestigious program in Session #258.
He is a 1990 Graduate of Bryant University earning a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a 1988 graduate of the Community College of Rhode Island, earning an Associate’s in Business. In 2013 he was awarded the Community College of Rhode Island’s “Outstanding Alumni Award” for his contributions to the community.
A graduate of the Smithfield Public Schools, Tikoian was inducted into the Smithfield High School Hall of Fame in September 2016 for his service to the community & fellow man. He serves on the Rhode Island State Police Museum Foundation and the Community College of Rhode Island Alumni Board. David is an antique car enthusiast and resides in the Town of Smithfield where he enjoys a strong sense of community commitment and volunteerism. In March of 2021, David was selected as the Chairperson for the Rhode Island State Police Centennial Committee, preparing for the 100 Year Anniversary of the Rhode Island State Police, which takes place in April 2025.
Continuing his passion to maintain a strong connection to his community and a willingness to give back, David entered the political arena declaring his candidacy for Smithfield Town Council in June 2020. In November 2020 he was successfully elected to a 2-year term on the Town Council and honored to have received the largest number of votes ever for a Town Council Candidate.
In July 2022, David announced his candidacy for the Rhode Island State Senate in District-22, representing; Smithfield, North Providence and Lincoln.
In his spare time, David is an antique car enthusiast and enjoys attending car shows and cruise nights with his 1952 Ford, F-1, pickup truck.