Rhode Island Commodore
Rhode Island Commodore is Rhode Island's highest honor and an honorary title bestowed upon individuals by approval of the governor of Rhode Island. It is not a military rank, requires no duties, and carries with it no pay or other compensation.[1] However, the Rhode Island Commodores since 1975 have been organized as a non-profit, non-partisan organization with the purpose "to assist and stimulate economic enterprise within Rhode Island by direct action through education, economic promotion, and hospitality."[2][3][4]
Organizational history
The honorary title of Rhode Island Commodore was established in 1968 by then governor
Charitable and business development activities
The Rhode Island Commodores is a
Rhode Island Commodores was a prime proponent of the 1984 Greenhouse Compact, a proposed state industrial policy developed primarily by Ira Magaziner to transition the state away from traditional manufacturing industries toward an innovative high technology economy.[10] As proposed, the Greenhouse Compact would provide $250 million of state funds that would be invested to provide low interest loans to businesses to hire new workers, to provide for a fund for new product development by businesses, to provide start-up funds for new businesses, and to provide $50 million in business-related research at Brown University and the University of Rhode Island. When the measure was submitted to the voters in a special referendum held 12 June 1984, the proposal was defeated 121,079 to 29,998.[10][11]
Notable commodores
Below is a partial list of notable Rhode Island Commodores:
- Lincoln Almond
- Donald Carcieri
- Nancy Carriuolo
- John H. Chafee
- Lincoln Chafee
- David Cicilline
- Trudy Coxe
- Edward D. DiPrete
- David M. Dooley
- Donald J. Farish
- Robert G. Flanders, Jr.[12]
- J. Joseph Garrahy
- Richard I. Gouse
- Alan G. Hassenfeld[13]
- Frank Licht
- Ronald Machtley
- Maxwell Mays
- Philip W. Noel
- Marc Parlange
- Claiborne Pell
- Gina Raimondo
- Michael A. Rice[14]
- Bruce Sundlun
- Ted Turner[15]
See also
- Commodore
- Kentucky Colonel
- Nebraska Admiral
- Sagamore of the Wabash
- Order of the Long Leaf Pine
- Great Floridians
References
- ^ Eric Grundhauser (8 Nov 2017). "You Can't be Knighted in the US: ...But You Can Be Named a Commodore of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ By-Laws of the Rhode Island Commodores. Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, 315 Iron Horse Way, Providence, RI 02908
- ^ "Rhode Island Commodores". Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Rhode Island Commodores". Rhode Island Secretary of State-Business Services Division. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Jon: President". Duffy & Shanley. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Governor Lincoln D. Chafee Names Colin P. Kane Admiral of RI Commodores". RI.gov. 31 Jan 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Rhode Island Commodores Support Rhode Island Business Plan Competition 2011". Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. 31 Jan 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- Providence Journal28 September 2011. Retrieved 28 Sep 2011.
- ^ "RIEDC goes on offensive to grow Rhode Island jobs". Rhode Island Business News, 3 March 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
- ^ a b Feldman, Allan. (1984) Rhode Island: Sunset for Industrial Policy. Policy Review No. 30(Fall 1984):84-86. pdf version Archived 2010-07-14 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "A Shattered Greenhouse". Inc. Magazine 1984. Retrieved 9 Feb 2012.
- ^ "Robert G. Flanders, Jr. -- Partner (Professional affiliations)". Whelan, Corrente & Flanders, LLP. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "Alan Hassenfeld Profile". Bloomberg Business News. 13 Oct 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-10-13. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "About Michael A. Rice". Archived from the original on November 21, 2008. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
- ^ "Ted Turner Named Honorary Rhode Island Commodore". Times Daily 22 Oct 1979.