PBN 2021 Leaders & Achievers Awards
Joseph R. Paolino Jr. | Managing partner, Paolino Properties LP
Maintaining 40 properties during a public health crisis was an unexpected challenge for managing partner Joseph R. Paolino Jr. and his team at Paolino Properties LP in Providence. But their years of experience and pursuit of excellence had prepared them for the task.
A well-known public figure, Paolino served as Providence mayor from 1984-1991 and as the director of economic development and tourism under former Gov. Bruce Sundlun. In both roles, Paolino learned how to respond during a crisis by focusing on what was important – the people who were affected.
“Our priority was to protect our tenants and our family here,” Paolino said. “My daughter [Jennifer Romano] put in safeguards from the very beginning and kept us safe.”
Not only did Paolino protect the people under his watch, but he encouraged others to do the same.
“From early on, we advocated testing and instituted restrictions [such as] face masks and keeping a 6-foot distance,” Paolino said of COVID-19 protocols.
Paolino said he feels strongly about taking responsibility to stop COVID-19 from spreading by getting the vaccine.
“People who don’t want to get the vaccine should stay home. I respect everyone’s opinion, but I don’t have to agree,” he said.
Throughout the pandemic, Paolino not only kept his business open and his workers employed but he also kept them safe.
“We kept on working, but we did it carefully. We followed science and never had to close,” he said. “We want everyone to be able to come to work, but we want it to be done safely. We want to be the safest in the state.”
These choices were not without consequences and costs.
“Financially, the past year has been very challenging to our company,” Paolino said. “It’s hurt us. I can’t replenish what we’ve lost in income.”
But Paolino knows, in the long run, he did the right thing.
“We didn’t lay off anyone,” he said. “My commitment to my staff was to keep them working and keeping them safe.”
