Avedisian named RIPTA CEO, to step down as Warwick mayor

RIPTA HAS CHOSEN Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian as its new CEO. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ RUPERT WHITELEY
RIPTA HAS CHOSEN Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian as its new CEO. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ RUPERT WHITELEY

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Public Transit Authority has selected Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian as its new CEO, it announced Wednesday.

As both are full-time positions, Avedisian will step down from his mayoral position in Warwick. He has served as mayor since 2000.

“Scott’s long, successful experience with RIPTA means he has an in-depth understanding of the agency that enables him to immediately provide leadership in continuing our progress towards making RIPTA a success,” stated RIPTA Board Chairman Wayne Kezirian. “It’s a perfect fit for where RIPTA is today, and where we want to be in the future.”

The appointment is pending on contract negotiations, according to Kezirian.

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Amy Pettine had served as interim CEO for RIPTA following the departure of Raymond Studley last year.

Avedisian served as RIPTA’s board chair from 2012 to 2016. Depending on when Avedisian leaves his post as mayor, it could trigger a special election for his seat.

Employees who work for the city’s Board of Elections said that if the mayor were to resign after a point in May (on Tuesday, they weren’t sure of the specific date), a special election would not be needed.

Warwick City Hall press secretary, Courtney Marciano, said that the mayor intends to leave after that period, avoiding a special election. In that scenario, Warwick City Council President, Joseph J. Soloman would serve the rest of Avedisian’s term. As of now, Avedisian has not decided on a specific final day.

“You can’t have a world-class economy without a world-class transit system,” Avedisian said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to working with the great team at RIPTA to build on what’s already been done to create that model transit system for our state.”

Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.

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