PROVIDENCE — Thomas Adams, the new executive director at AIDS Care Ocean State, is excited about diversifying the organization’s funding outside federal sources, charting its future, and testing out his new all-wheel drive RAV-4 in the snow.
Adams, who grew up in Iowa, previously worked for the Missouri Foundation for Health in St. Louis for about 12 years, where there was little cause to exercise the Toyota’s full capabilities.
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“I’ve always had a great love for the snow,” Adams said.
He’s also spent a great deal of his career leading HIV/AIDS community service organizations, about 15 years during the last two decades. Adams started at Bethany Place, a clinic in Belleville, Ill., then spent five years at the AIDS Foundation of St. Louis before moving to Missouri Foundation for Health, where he worked for the last 12 years.
“When I saw the opportunity here in Rhode Island, I thought, well, I’ll just apply,” Adams said from his office on the second day at the new job Tuesday. He said he’s happily settling in, having found the organization in good shape financially, with clean, recent audits, and staffed by a good team of people.
“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be here,” Adams said.
Adams said he’s excited about meeting officials in the community and assessing models of other AIDS organizations for hints at where AIDS Care Ocean State might improve.
AIDS Care Ocean State, founded in 1987, provides quality housing, case management, medical and nursing care, and prevention to adults, families, adolescents and children who are affected by or at risk for HIV infection. The organization advocates for individuals and families at risk while providing services needed to ensure and maintain a high quality of life.
One of the tasks he was hired to work on, Adams said, is diversifying the organization’s funding, which is primarily dependent on federal sources, working on donor development. He will also be the primary public contact for the agency.
Adams said he hasn’t settled in long enough to have determined what direction the organization should take in the future, but he’s confident he can easily organize the team once he decides on a plan.
“I think the blessing with this organization is that it has stayed incredibly agile over the years,” Adams said.
Adams is the first executive director for the organization since Paul Fitzgerald, who retired in April of 2016. Adams started in the position on Monday, March 19.
“As AIDS Care approaches its 30th year in providing services to the Rhode Island community, we are excited to have found a leader who is committed to our core values and mission, and has the capacity to strategically guide our organization forward through a changing climate,” said B. Joseph Reddish, III, board chair. “Mr. Adams has a passion for and a history of working in the HIV arena. The board is confident that Adams will develop rich and meaningful relationships with our AIDS Care’s staff, clients and community partners. We look forward to welcoming Thomas Adams to our team.”
Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.
