Chairman Kane Resigns. Governor Revamps Commission

Colin Kane (right) leads the mass ground breaking ceremony as the 195 Commission prepared to open its reclaimed highway land for development, April 8, 2013. Photo: Chestnut St. Snaps

RIDoT photo

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Chairman Kane resigns.

 On January 29th, Colin Kane announced his resignation as  Chairman of the 195 Economic Development District, a post he has held since the Commission was formed by Governor Chafee. Kane's term was due to expire in October of this year.

Kane agreed to stay as chairman until the state Senate confirms his replacement. Kane declined to discuss his conversations with governor Raimondo. He told The Providence Journal he is resigning to return to his job as a partner at the Peregrine Group, an East Providence-based real estate development firm. The complete Providence Journal article appears here.

“It is time for me to get back to work,” he said, adding that his partners allowed him to take time off to work full time on commission business. “They don’t get paid for my public service.”


Six new Commissioners named.

In a related development on Wednesday February 1,  Governor Raimondo announced a slate of six commissioners she is appointing to the commission. She also named , a Little Compton resident, a prominent developer in Rhode Island.

In nominating the new Commissioners, Governor Raimondo said, "We're focused on expanding opportunity and creating jobs for Rhode Island families, and the 195 land can be a key lever to attract businesses and boost economic growth. We are grateful to Colin Kane and the other former commissioners for their public service to the people of Rhode Island, which helped lay the groundwork for our efforts.

The Governor submitted the following names to the State Senate for confirmation:

• Joseph F. Azrack (Raimondo's choice for chair of the commission) of Little Compton • Robert C. Davis of South Kingstown • Elizabeth (Beppie) Huidekoper of Providence • Melissa Husband of Providence • Edwin J. Santos of North Kingstown • Sandra Smith of Providence

"We need to catalyze Rhode Island's economy by capitalizing upon resources such as the developable land where I-195 once stood," said Commerce Secretary nominee Stefan Pryor. "I am excited to work closely with the Commission on the build out of this land as an important part of our overall economic development effort."

"The 195 Commission plays a vital role in our coordinated efforts to develop the land made available by the relocation of Interstate 195 in our capital city," said Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. "My administration looks forward to working closely with the commission's members, Governor Raimondo, the Providence City Council and the General Assembly to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grow our economy and build the New Providence."

"The redevelopment of the former I-195 land is a major opportunity to help reinvigorate Rhode Island's economy," said President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed. "I am pleased that the Governor has made the I-195 Commission appointments a priority. I look forward to the advice and consent hearings in the Senate to learn about the vision of each of these nominees."

"I am very supportive of the work of the I-195 Commission," said Speaker Nicholas Mattiello. "This valuable land has the potential for great job growth and economic development activity, and we must work collaboratively to turn these opportunities into reality in the near future."

"I am thankful for the confidence the Governor and her team have placed in me to chair this Commission," said Joe Azrack. "I look forward to working in partnership with local businesses, institutions, government bodies and community groups, and with the other nominees, to carefully plan and guide the development of this project so that it contributes in a positive way to the economy and urban environment for the people of Providence."

Joseph F. Azrack Joseph Azrack is the principal owner of Azrack & Company, an investment and advisory firm focused on the real estate industry. Azrack has over 30 years of real estate investment experience and was previously Managing Partner and Chairman of Apollo Global Management's real estate business. Azrack holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University and a B.S. from Villanova University.

Robert C. Davis Robert Davis recently retired as a partner of the Boston law firm of Goulston & Storrs where he represented a wide range of clients in real estate projects over a 40 year career. He has represented colleges, schools, retailers, hotel operators and developers in all phases of real estate development. He holds a J.D. from Boston College Law School and an A.B. from Brown University.

Elizabeth (Beppie) Huidekoper Elizabeth Huidekoper has served as the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration at Brown University since 2002. She is retiring from Brown this month. Previously, she was the Vice President for Finance at Harvard University. Huidekoper received an M.B.A. from Boston University and a B.A. from Bowdoin College.

Melissa Husband Melissa Husband serves at the Executive Director of Community Action Partnership of Providence. She has an M.P.A from the University of Rhode Island and a B.S. in Political Science from Roger Williams University.

Edwin J. Santos Edwin J. Santos is Chairman of the Board of Prospect CharterCARE, LLC, a new, for-profit healthcare joint venture in Rhode Island. He also serves on the boards of Washington Trust Bancorp and Providence Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Santos has 28 years of experience in the financial services industry, most recently as Group Executive Vice President and General Auditor for Citizens Financial Group. Santos received a B.S. from Bryant University.

Sandra Smith Sandra Smith brings experience in strategy consulting and business management from her work at the Boston Consulting Group in San Francisco, Charles Schwab, Catalyst Strategies and Recon Strategy. Smith holds an MBA from The Wharton School of Business and a BASC in Industrial Engineering with honors and a MASC of Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto.