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Sarah Francis

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GUIDING LIGHT: Erica Davies got her boutique travel firm, The Well Traveled Soul LLC, off the ground in 2022 after years of working in corporate America. She calls the business “my baby.” 
PBN PHOTO/
DAVE HANSEN

She’s on a journey curating trips for clients

Erica Davies’ heart belongs to Cranston. “It’s the center of the universe,” she said. “I’m super proud to have grown up there. I live...
CHARTING HER COURSE: Cheryl DiGennaro, owner of Newport Yacht and Home LLC in Middletown, says the desire to design living spaces in houses and boats is something she was born with. 
PBN PHOTO/
DAVID HANSEN

On land or sea, her mind is always on the décor

When Cheryl DiGennaro was growing up, she’d watch her mom, an interior designer, working on various projects; that passion passed from mother to daughter. “I...
GAME ­PLANNING: Lori Manni, center, president of Capital City Construction & Management Services Inc., goes over documents with Al DeRobbio, left, project supervisor, and Oliver Carias, operating engineer of Local 57, at the company’s Cranston office.
PBN PHOTO/­MICHAEL SALERNO

Manni not daunted by changes, challenges of commercial construction

Lori Manni knows her way around a sewer system. She’s spent the better part of two decades building miles of them. It’s not a...
PROBLEM-SOLVER: Tom Lepovsky, vice president of manufacturing at plastics producer Teknor Apex Co. in Pawtucket, created a continuous improvement group that allows workers on the processing lines to make real-time decisions about quality and productivity using internal data.
PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

People and plastics are the core of Lepovsky’s strategy at Teknor...

PBN 2025 Manufacturing Awards STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP: Tom Lepovsky, vice president of manufacturing, Teknor Apex Co. McDonald’s has been dubbed America’s best first job; Tom Lepovsky would...
ORDER FROM CHAOS: After years working in different accounting roles, Keeping the Books NE LLC owner Marsha Thayer launched her own firm that helps businesses build efficient, accurate financial systems and reports.
PBN PHOTO/­MICHAEL SALERNO

Thayer’s drive, work ethic added up to success

Marsha Thayer didn’t seem like a typical math nerd in high school. Far from it. “I aced pre-algebra and then started failing,” she said, “which...

‘The impacts are everywhere.’ Federal cuts devastate nonprofits

Rhode Island’s nonprofits are in turmoil. This important segment of the economy – 16% of the workforce – has an uncertain future and the...
CONSTANTLY EVOLVING: Beauregard Built LLC owner Olivia Beauregard launched the Providence-based design-build firm, specializing in interior and exterior work in residential and commercial new construction and renovation, five years ago. 
PBN PHOTO/­MICHAEL SALERNO

Designer travels ‘Amazing’ journey to build her career

Olivia Beauregard has always been fascinated by how things work. While some kids spend their free time playing video games, Beauregard would lie in...
CHECKING IN: 
Bella Andolino, background right, front desk agent at Hotel Maria in Westerly, with General Manager Patrick Bowe at her side, helps Skip and Pat Caloia of Yonkers, N.Y.
PBN PHOTO/
MICHAEL SALERNO

Yes, working in hotels ‘can be a fun career’

Hotel Maria General Manager Patrick Bowe took a Rhode Island Hospitality Association class for front-of-the-house staff on dealing with guests’ issues. Bowe started as...

SecurityRI.com provides a protective shield

PBN 2025 FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES $2.5 MILLION TO $15 MILLION 5. SecurityRI.com CEO (or equivalent): Gian Gentile 2024 Revenue: $4.7 million 2022 Revenue: $4.3 million Revenue growth: 8.4% WHEN BAD...

Steere Engineering is building up prosperity

PBN 2025 FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES $2.5 MILLION TO $15 MILLION 6. Steere Engineering Inc. CEO (or equivalent): Alison Steere, owner and CEO; Martin Pierce, owner and...
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