Friday, September 18, 2026

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Digital Special Editions

RICH TRADITION: David Grande, owner of Savon Shoes, at the company’s North Providence location. Grande bought Jamiels Shoe World in 2013. 
PBN PHOTO/ STEPHANIE BERNABA

Savon continues Jamiels legacy

Savon Shoes (Published April 24, 1995) YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1982 TYPE OF BUSINESS: Shoe sales THEN: NAME: Jamiels Shoe World OWNER/PRESIDENT: Lily Jamiel LOCATION: Warren and West Warwick EMPLOYEES: 70 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1983 ANNUAL REVENUE:...
TAKING OVER: Henry ­Lopez-Melgar, a longtime team member who spent much of his career working his way up from washing dishes and preparing food to management responsibilities at Tito’s Cantina in Middletown, is now the restaurant’s new owner.  
PBN PHOTO/­ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Melgar adding to winning hand

Tito’s Cantina (Published July 10, 1995) YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1989 TYPE OF BUSINESS: Restaurant THEN: OWNERS: Rich Reavis, president, and Vice Arcello, vice president LOCATION: 651 West Main Rd., Middletown EMPLOYEES: 15 ANNUAL...
WORKING TOGETHER: The first panel featured, from left, Ted Williams, president of Senesco Marine LLC; Flux Marine Ltd. CEO Ben Sorkin; Jason Noel, operations executive at Juice Robotics LLC; Linda Larsen, maritime and industry engagement manager for Polaris Tech Bridge; and Daniela Fairchild, chief strategy officer for R.I. Commerce Corp. PBN Editor Michael Mello, right, moderates.
PBN FILE PHOTO/MIKE SKORSKI

In R.I.’s emerging industries, it’s all about collaboration

On March 11, 2026, PBN brought together business and government leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities surrounding Rhode Island’s ­sciences industry and ocean economy....
TIGHT GRIP: Joe Depena, owner and fitness manager at VP Fitness on Dorrance Street in Providence, works with his ­client, Alice Negrao, of Providence, in 2018. 
PBN FILE 
PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Fit for expansion

VP Fitness (Published Sept. 7, 2018) YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2011 TYPE OF BUSINESS: Fitness club THEN: OWNER: Joe Depena LOCATION: 10 Dorrance St., Suite 200, Providence EMPLOYEES: 28 ANNUAL SALES: $1.3 million NOW: OWNER: Joe...
Bruce Van Saun

Driving Forces: Bruce Van Saun

Bruce Van Saun Citizens Financial Group Inc. chairman and CEO The clear-eyed leader of the largest Rhode Island-based bank told weary state business leaders what they...
Karl Wadensten

Driving Forces: Karl Wadensten

Karl Wadensten VIBCO Inc. president; R.I. Commerce Corp. board member A LOT HAS changed at the R.I. Commerce Corp. over the years, including leadership, staff members,...
Marc B. Parlange

Why everyone benefits from a strong knowledge economy

Over the past 40 years, Rhode Island’s economy – like the nation’s – has been reshaped by global forces, rapid technological change and the...
Kristen Adamo

Driving Forces: Kristen Adamo

Kristen Adamo Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO and president KRISTEN ADAMO is a hospitality sector dynamo who led the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors...
Iftikhar Ahmad

Driving Forces: Iftikhar Ahmad

Iftikhar Ahmad R.I. Airport Corp. CEO and president IN SOME WAYS, running Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in the last five years has been a...
Brian Britson

Driving Forces: Brian Britson

Brian Britson Amgen Rhode Island vice president of operations SINCE JOINING Amgen Rhode Island as vice president of operations in August 2020, Brian Britson has guided...
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