March 2, 2026

Issue 21

2026 RIMA Awards
Advocacy in Action
RIMA Launches Women's Leadership Council
Governor McKee Signs Executive Order on Energy Relief

RIMA Members Receive Free Admission to the CMMC Northeast Summit
Commercial Space Available
Welcome Our New Members
Become a RIMA Member

Our Most Successful Awards Dinner — Ever

RIMA’s Annual Awards Dinner, proudly sponsored by Beacon Bank, was the most successful and best-attended event in the Association’s history. The energy at the Omni Providence was undeniable — a powerful reflection of the leadership, resilience, and forward momentum driving manufacturing across our state.

Thank you to everyone who supported, sponsored, nominated, and attended. Your engagement made this an extraordinary celebration of Rhode Island manufacturing. We are especially grateful for the support of dedicated partners, including Beacon Bank, Polaris MEP, Insperity, Meridian Printing, Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C., and our signature sponsors. Sponsorship and engagement at this level reinforce the collaborative spirit that keeps our manufacturing ecosystem strong, competitive, and growing.

We extend our sincere appreciation to RIMA Chairman Craig Pickell and Immediate Past Chair Bob Nangle for their thoughtful leadership and guidance. This exceptional event would not have been possible without their vision, commitment, and dedication to advancing Rhode Island manufacturing.

The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association proudly recognizes the following individuals and organizations for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and enduring contributions to manufacturing excellence across Rhode Island.

Henry D. Sharpe Award

West Warwick Welding

Al Lubrano MVP Award

Steve Ilmrud

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence

Next-Gen Leadership Award

Ronald A. Fasano

Fasano Corporation, Inc.

Manufacturing Innovation Award

Nicholas Jones

ChemArt

Partner of the Year Award

Atlantic Paper & Supply

President’s Award

Benjamin White

Taco

(L-R) David A. Brown and Craig Pickell

Chairman’s Award

David A. Brown

Whittet-Higgins Company

Thank you to RIMA Co-Founder David A. Brown for making this milestone possible for all of us. Your remarkable speech captivated the audience and will be remembered as a defining moment for RIMA – you

brought down the down house. Congratulations!.

Thank you to Dawn Arpin, the RIMA Awards Committee, everyone who nominated a company or individual, and the incredible volunteers whose extraordinary commitment and teamwork ensured the success of this program. From planning to execution, your collective effort demonstrates that meaningful achievements are made possible when a community comes together.

2026 RIMA Awards Photos

2026 RIMA Awards Program - Presented By:

Missed the event? Click the the link below to read our program.

2026 RIMA Awards Program

Thank you to the 2026 RIMA Awards Sponsor:

William C. Tsonos and Beacon Bank

"A legacy of strength, trust, and expertise."

OPPOSE the "Millionaire Tax"

Contact RIMA for more information

In partnership with the Rhode Island Business Leaders Alliance and industry and business groups across the state, RIMA continues to be proactive and aggressive on behalf of manufacturers. This session, we have sponsored legislation to:

• Eliminate the corporate tax

• Reduce penalty interest (still the highest in the U.S.)

• Oppose the 32-hour workweek legislation and commission proposals

• Address heat safety mandates and other emerging regulatory challenges

We will share detailed legislative updates soon.

A very special thank you to the federal, state, and local leaders who have gone out of their way to show support for manufacturing. We are changing the conversation at the State House — and we will support elected officials who support us.

It’s an election year - your leadership and partnership do not go unnoticed.

We are proud to officially launch RIMA’s groundbreaking Women’s Leadership Council — a powerful coalition of manufacturing and partner-industry leaders committed to elevating women across Rhode Island’s industrial ecosystem. The Council was established to advance women leaders across manufacturing and key partner industries — including finance, energy, insurance, logistics, and government — all of which are critical to Rhode Island’s economic growth.

Chairperson:

• Marcia Blount, Blount Boats

Serving as Chair, Marcia Blount, of Blount Boats, a member of the RIMA Board of Directors, brings exceptional leadership, industry expertise, and a longstanding commitment to strengthening Rhode Island manufacturing.

RIMA Women’s Leadership Council Board of Directors:

Their collective leadership reflects RIMA’s ongoing transformation and commitment to innovation, workforce development, and inclusive leadership that strengthens Rhode Island’s manufacturing economy.

• Kelly Ward, Ward’s Manufacturing

• Jamie Mitri, Moss Pure

Founding Advisory Board Members:

RIMA recognizes the Founding Advisory Board Members, whose experience and service across the public and private sectors provide strategic guidance and credibility to this inaugural Council:

Liz Desautel, Morgan Stanley
Mira Estaphanous, USI Insurance Services
Daniela Fairchild, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation
Emily Martineau, Rhode Island State House Deputy Director COMM
Stephanie McNamara, USI Insurance Services
Diane Quesnelle, Rhode Island Energy Marketers Association
Betty Robson, OIA Global/ J.F. Moran
Bonnie Stewart, CT Society of CPAs
Liz Tanner, Ocean State 2026 / FIFA
Leslie Taito, Taco, Inc.
Yahaira (Jay) Placencia, Bank of America

If you know a female CEO or manufacturing leader who should be involved, please make an introduction.

Let’s keep building.

— Team RIMA

On February 9, 2026, Members of the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association (RIMA) Board of Directors and Advisory Council joined Governor Daniel J. McKee at the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers as he signed an Executive Order aimed at reducing energy costs and strengthening oversight of state energy programs.

For Rhode Island manufacturers — many of whom face some of the highest electric rates in the nation — the initiative signals renewed attention to the growing cost pressures affecting industrial competitiveness.

Learn More

RIMA Members Receive Free Admission to the CMMC Northeast Summit

As a RIMA member, you are eligible for free admission to the CMMC Northeast Summit on March 11th .

Current industry data from the CMMC ecosystem indicates that readiness rates prior to assessments are hovering between only 30% and 40%. This means that roughly 60- 70% of the supply chain is currently on a path to failure.

We are seeing many smaller OSAs in the defense industrial base (DIB) have yet to start on their CMMC journey.

The inaugural CMMC Northeast Summit on March 11, 2026, at Rhode Island College will include live assessment simulations, documentation toolkits, and expert guidance on selecting and scheduling a C3PAO.

Your readiness is critical to maintaining your status within the DIB supply chain.

Date: March 11, 2026

Time: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM

(Registration, Breakfast, and Cyber Range Tours begin at 8:30 AM)

Location: Rhode Island College, Gaige Hall

Featured Speakers: Keynote Katie Arrington, Mike Snyder (The CyberAB), and Michael McLaughlin and over a dozen Lead Assessors/C3PAOs

Practical Resources: C3PAO Assessment Simulations and getting started documentation/ scoping sessions.li

The CMMC Northeast Summit offers two specialized tracks.

Advising Track: Tailored for companies just beginning their CMMC journey or currently in the implementation phase, offering expert guidance on reducing scope, selecting the right partners, and establishing the foundational documentation required or a functional program.

Assessment Track: For organizations closer to their final audit. This track features C3PAO Lead Assessors who provide critical insights into selecting an assessor, organizing objective evidence, and navigating the CMMC Level 2 Assessment process."

Free VIP Registration