Thursday: Gov. McKee and Officials to Hold Community Conversation focused on Blue Economy, Defense

Governor Dan McKee, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, and Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor are pleased to announce the next community conversation, which will be held this Thursday and will be focused on issues related to the blue economy and the defense industry. The Community Conversations are designed to help develop a vision and strategy for a more resilient, prosperous, and equitable Rhode Island.

This conversation will take place on Thursday, June 24 at 5:30 PM on Governor McKee’s Facebook page.

Governor McKee has initiated this series of virtual community conversations in order to discuss Rhode Island’s recovery and future — especially given the expected arrival of significant federal stimulus funding.

Visit Gov. McKee’s Facebook Page

The conversation will feature remarks from Governor McKee and Lt. Governor Matos, followed by a presentation from Alissa Peterson, the Co-Founder of SeaAhead.

Following the presentation, there will be two panel discussions moderated by Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. The panel on the blue economy will feature:

Marcia Blount, President, Blount Boats
Drew Carey, Chief Executive Officer, INSPIRE Environmental
Susan Daly, Vice President, Rhode Island Marine Trades Association
Jason Kelly, Executive Vice President, Moran Shipping
Jen McCann, Director of U.S. Coastal Programs, University of Rhode Island and David Smith, Professor & Associate Dean, Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island
Perry Raso, Owner, Matunuck Oyster Bar

The panel on defense industry will feature:

Tim DelGiudice, Government Relations, Spectrum Planning & Policy, Raytheon
Kevin Graney, President, General Dynamics Electric Boat
Amy Grzybowski, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Higher Education & Industry Centers
Joe Janson, Night Vision Technology Solutions
Dennis McLaughlin, President, Rite Solutions
Dr. Vic Ricci, Chief Technology Officer, Naval Undersea Warfare Center