Raimondo nominates six to I-195 Redevelopment Commission

GOV-ELECT GINA M. RAIMONDO has announced six nominations for the I-195 Redevelopment Commission to advance efforts to revitalize the vacant I-195 parcel. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
GOV-ELECT GINA M. RAIMONDO has announced six nominations for the I-195 Redevelopment Commission to advance efforts to revitalize the vacant I-195 parcel. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Gina M. Raimondo has announced six nominations for the I-195 Redevelopment Commission to advance efforts to revitalize the vacant Interstate 195 parcel.
The names will be submitted to the state Senate for confirmation, and represent an overhaul of the commission as no current members are being reappointed.
Former commission chairman Colin Kane resigned last week, but will stay on the commission until a successor is appointed.
“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,” Raimondo said in a statement.

The names are as follows:

  • Joseph F. Azrack (Raimondo’s choice for chair of the commission) of Little Compton; Azrack is the principal owner of Azrack & Company, an investment and advisory firm focused on the real estate industry. Azrack was previously managing partner and chairman of Apollo Global Management’s real estate business.
  • Robert C. Davis of South Kingstown; Davis recently retired as a partner of the Boston law firm of Goulston & Storrs, representing colleges, schools, retailers, hotel operators and developers in all phases of real estate development.
  • Elizabeth (Beppie) Huidekoper of Providence; Huidekoper has served as executive vice president for finance and administration at Brown University since 2002. She is retiring this month.
  • Melissa Husband of Providence; Husband serves as executive director of Community Action Partnership of Providence.
  • Edwin J. Santos of North Kingstown; Santos is board chairman of Prospect CharterCARE LLC, a new, for-profit health care joint venture in Rhode Island. 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.
  • Sandra Smith of Providence; 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.

“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.

Said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, “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. 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.”

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