Joe serves as a Senior Advisor to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and work closely with Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor and Commerce Corporation President Jesse Saglio. In this role, Joe will manage and enhance activities such as development of port facilities with emphasis on the wind industries, site readiness, the Main Street Program and other economic development programs.
Professional Background
Joe has more than 25 years in the real estate development field as an asset manager in Banking as well as leadership positions in the Economic, Municipal and Maritime development field. Joe spent 13 years as the Executive Director of the Bridgeport Port Authority and strategically obtained more that 45 million dollars in federal, state and private funds for economic development, maritime transportation and infrastructure. Joe served as the Chairman of the Connecticut Maritime Commission from 2009 2016. Most recently, Joe served as the Commissioner of Planning and Development for the City of West Haven Connecticut. In this position, Joe successfully managed the regulatory process and served as primary contact for the development of over 250 million dollars. This includes the development of The Haven, a luxury outlet mall that will be constructed on West Haven’s waterfront, the development of University Commons, an off campus mixed use development, Phase 1 complete and Phase 2 approved. In addition, Joe was responsible for facilitating and completion of the City’s first Harbor Management Plan, a Transit Orient Design plan and the Update of the Plan of Conservation of Development.
Education
Joe earned his BA in Sociology from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT and his MA from the University of Bridgeport. His affiliations have included membership in the Connecticut Economic Development Association, American Association of Port Authorities (Board member and Maritime Economic Development Committee Chair, North Atlantic Ports Association. In addition, Joe served on the Boards of Directors of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, West Haven Chamber of Commerce and Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut.
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