With the West Valley Inn, West Warwick, as the backdrop, Michael Artesani Sr. of W. Artesani & Sons was sworn in as the Rhode Island Builders Association's 33rd president on October 7th.
Also elected and installed at the meeting were vice president Robert Baldwin of R.B. Homes Inc., and secretary Felix Carlone of F.A. Carlone & Sons. Re-elected and installed for another term was treasurer Steven Gianlorenzo of Gianlorenzo and Sons Construction Corp.
As with many in RIBA, Carlone is a multi-generational member. His father, Felix Carlone, served as the association's secretary in 1959 and 1960.
In his inaugural remarks, president Artesani acknowledged the challenges facing RIBA and Rhode Island."We all face a weak economy, and I expect that we will have to make some difficult decisions together. Make decisions with your heads and not your hearts. The businesses you save will be your own."
Addressing members with some final thoughts as his two-year administration closed was Thomas McNulty, now immediate past president.
"We've been through tough times together before this, but RIBA's fundamentals are strong. We are built on a solid foundation," McNulty said.
After enjoying a buffet dinner, members at the meeting voted on new local directors, and on the nominations of local members for national board posts.
Elected as local directors were: John Anderson of Insurance Reconstruction Services/Tech Builders, Alfred Calcagni of Alfred Calcagni & Son Inc., John Bentz of Property Advisory Group Inc., David Caldwell of Caldwell & Johnson Inc., Joel DeMelo of DeMelo Construction, Joseph Frisella of Frisella Engineering, and Steven Carlino of Douglas Lumber Home Center.
Barbara Gallison of Newport Plate & Mirror Glass was elected as RIBA's National Association of Home Builders representative.
Nominated as national directors were: John Anderson of Insurance Reconstruction Services/Tech Builders; Brian Arnold of B.R. Arnold Construction Co., Inc.; Michael Artesani Sr. of W. Artesani and Sons Inc.; Robert Baldwin of R.B. Homes Inc.; Michael DeCesare of DeCesare Building Co., Inc.; Raymond and Barbara Gallison of Newport Plate & Mirror Glass; Steven Gianlorenzo of Gianlorenzo and Sons Construction Corp.; Linda Kolaski of Kolaski Housing Advisors Inc.; Paul Norbury of Norbury Construction Co., Inc.; and Peter Rogers of Gerard Building & Design Co., Inc.
Nominated as alternate national directors are: Bruce Charleson of Arnold Lumber Co., Inc.; Robert DeBlois of DeBlois Building Co.; William Geddes of Geddes Builders; Kenneth Jones of Ken Jones Construction Inc.; Christine Lynch of Horton Construction Co., Inc.; David Miles of Milestone Homes Inc.; and William Thornley of Ferland Corp.
Those nominated for national board positions will be officially elected and installed at the National Association of Home Builders convention in January in Las Vegas.
Also during the evening, RIBA's past presidents in attendance were recognized, and several people who passed away during 2008 were commemorated. The latter included past RIBA directors Casimir Kolaski and Mary Turkel, and retired RIBA staff member Joan DiMeo. RIBA has made donations to the RIBA-Dagata Scholarship Fund in their memory.
Also honored were RIBA members who served the association in various capacities during the 2007-2008 year. A special recognition was given to Kenneth Jones of Ken Jones Construction Inc., chairman of RIBA's workers' compensation committee, who has worked long and hard to redesign the association's safety programs in the face of many roadblocks.
For more information on RIBA membership, and the association's many social and educational activities, visit www.ribuilders.org or call Nancy Jenkinson at (401) 438-7400.
Paul Eno is the owner and editor-in-chief of New River Press, Woonsocket and is the editor of the monthly RIBA newsletter, The Rhode Island Builder Report.