Providence, RI – Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today announced his nomination of Roland Fiore, Stephen Hardy, and William Holmes for the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) Board of Directors.
Governor Chafee announced his nomination of Marcia Blount, Dr. Pablo Rodriguez, and Alison Vareika last week.
"In my efforts to bring new perspectives and a fresh start to the RIEDC Board, I am pleased to announce my nomination of Roland Fiore, Stephen Hardy, and William Holmes," Governor Lincoln Chafee said. "These three nominees represent geographic diversity, as well as connections to different and important areas of Rhode Island's economy. Roland Fiore is active in South County and in the construction field, Steve Hardy represents a small community bank, and William Holmes is a longtime leader within the labor community with Rhode Island Carpenters Local 94. I look forward to the perspectives and talents they will bring to the Board."
Nominee (Replacing)
Roland Fiore (Timothy Babineau)
Roland Fiore has been President of South County Sand & Gravel Co., Inc., in South Kingstown, since 1988. The company, which manufactures construction material and is also a residential and commercial real estate developer, was founded in 1949.
South County Sand & Gravel Co. and its affiliate operations have included such diversified business interests as road building, concrete manufacturing, and property development, as well as its core business of sand and gravel production. The company's affiliations include the National Sand & Stone Association, the Rhode Island Aggregates Association, the Construction Industries of Rhode Island, and the National Utility Contractors Association of Rhode Island, as well as many local organizations.
Mr. Fiore received a B.A. from the University of Rhode Island, currently serves as Secretary of the Rhode Island Builders Association, and is an active volunteer in the local community at all levels.
Stephen Hardy (Daniel Sullivan, Jr.)
Stephen Hardy is Senior Vice President and Team Leader with Bristol County Savings Bank, a position he has held since 1996. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Team Leader with Shawmut Bank and as Senior Vice President and Branch Administrator with First Bristol County National Bank. Mr. Hardy served as Branch Manager with Old Stone Bank from 1978 – 1981 and as Staff Assistant to U.S. Senator John Chafee from 1976 – 1978.
Mr. Hardy is a member of the Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a past Chairman of the Board. He is a former Board Member of the Minority Investment Development Corporation and of the Executive Committee of the Business Development Company of Rhode Island.
Mr. Hardy received a B.A. in Political Science from Providence College, and is a graduate of Babson College's Massachusetts Bankers Association School of Commercial Lending and of the University of Delaware's American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He resides in Warwick.
William Holmes (George Nee)
William Holmes is Business Manager for Rhode Island Carpenters Local 94. He served his apprenticeship with the Carpenters in 1975, then worked as a journeyman carpenter before being appointed to an organizational position with the Carpenters International Union. He worked in the field as a foreman and occasional superintendent with various construction companies before being elected, in 1989, as Business Agent with Carpenters Local 94. In 1991, he was named Financial Secretary and then, in 1996, during the union's restructuring, he was named Business Agent once again. He has remained in that position since 1996. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the New England Carpenters Training Center, as Chairman of the Rhode Island Carpenters Health Fund, and as Trustee of the Local 94 Pension and Annuity Fund. He was appointed to the Rhode Island State Apprenticeship Council by Governor Bruce Sundlun in 1991 and was elected Chairman shortly thereafter. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the New England Training Fund. He previously served on the Warwick Station Development Agency until it was disbanded in 2011.