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Governor Lincoln D. Chafee Announces America's Cup World Series Host Committee

Providence, RI - Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today announced the thirty-eight members of the America's Cup World Series Host Committee. The Committee, established when Governor Chafee signed Executive Order 11-11 last month, will coordinate Rhode Island's efforts to ensure a successful event. Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport, will serve as Chairman.

The AC World Series will take place June 23 – July 1, 2012 in Newport. The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) has estimated that the event could create hundreds of new jobs and pump more than $70 million into the state's economy.

"The America's Cup World Series races have great potential to bring job creation and revenue to Rhode Island," Governor Chafee said. "This Host Committee, led by Newporter and renowned sailor Brad Read, will help to coordinate important preparation efforts to ensure that this exciting event is thoroughly successful. Its members have strong ties to the sailing world, marine trades, hospitality and tourism, and a number of other relevant fields. What they all share is an understanding of what it will take to make the AC World Series a success for Newport and the State of Rhode Island."

The Governor has announced the following committee members:

Brad Read: Executive Director of Sail Newport, Chair

Keith Stokes: representative from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation

Dr. Robin Wallace, David Elwell, David Holley: representatives from the Rhode Island State Yachting Commission

Michael Keyworth: representative from the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association

Martha Sheridan: representative from the Providence/Warwick Convention and Visitor's Bureau

Evan Smith: representative from the Newport and Bristol County Convention and Visitor's Bureau

Paul Costabile: representative from Rhode Island's commercial shipping industry

Jody Sullivan: representative from the Newport County Chamber of Commerce

Jane Howington: representative from the City of Newport

Bruce Keiser: representative from the Town of Jamestown

Shawn Brown: representative from the Town of Middletown

Diane Mederos: representative from the Town of Bristol

A representative from the Town of Portsmouth to be named

Richard Nagele: representative from the Fort Adams Trust

Terry Nathan: representative from International Yacht Restoration School/Museum of Yachting

Dyer Jones: representative from the Herreshoff Museum

Peggy Forbes, Donna Kelly: representatives with knowledge and experience regarding implementation of large scale sailing and hospitality events

Richard Licht: Department of Administration designee

Michael Lewis: Department of Transportation designee

Janet Coit: Department of Environmental Management designee

Any other such representatives as the Governor may deem necessary:

§ Chris Boyle

§ Edward Burman III

§ Quentin Chafee

§ Trudy Coxe

§ Eli Dana

§ Alison Eichler

§ Jay Gowell

§ Geoff Grout

§ Bill Harsch

§ Halsey Herreshoff

§ Stephen Hourahan: Governor's Office

§ Colin Kane

§ Howard McVay

§ Jack McVicker

§ Bill Plumb

§ Lynn Singleton

§ Harry Winthrop

These newly announced members include Rhode Island business leaders, experienced event management professionals, municipal representatives and key state agencies. Drawing on that broad range of private and public sector leadership and business expertise – particularly in the marine trades, sailing, tourism and hospitality, commercial transportation and event management industries – the Committee will coordinate marketing, business outreach, public support, event logistics, traffic, public safety, and public infrastructure preparations to ensure a seamless execution of the event.

The Committee will work closely with the America's Cup Event Authority, municipalities and area businesses to ensure a successful event for all stakeholders including local communities and businesses. Members will facilitate race team and spectator needs, coordinate and integrate public safety measures, facilitate parking, traffic control, pedestrian safety, security, water safety and communication with area residents and businesses and any other necessary functions, including marketing and promotion.

The committee members' biographical information can be accessed at: http://www.governor.ri.gov/americascupcommittee.pdf.

***As a result of Governor Chafee's leadership of interagency collaboration, the Governor and members of his administration successfully negotiated this past August to bring America's Cup racing back to Rhode Island. The state was awarded the final stop of the 2011-2012 AC World Series which promises to be a dramatic finish to the first season of the new AC45 professional circuit. The nine-day event will include multiple international race teams to be based at Fort Adams State Park and a variety of exciting activities and entertainment for the general public.***

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