Founding
Founded in 1933, the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce now represents over 600 area businesses and professional service enterprises. The member businesses of the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce represent many aspects of the business world. From local retail trade and professional and consulting services to tourism,
agriculture and manufacturing, Chamber members provide goods and services, jobs, and tax revenue to benefit the community. The Chamber also creates a strong business voice focused on improving the local economy while insuring the maintenance of the area's high quality of livability.
Organizational Structure
A voluntary association of businesses, professionals and individual citizens working together to make the South County area the best possible place to live and work, the Chamber is governed by a 21-member Board of Directors. A paid Executive Director and staff coordinate and implement the organization's policies and programs, supervise volunteer efforts and manage membership services. The activities of the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce vary in response to the needs of the community and membership.
The Chamber office serves as a point of contact for numerous business and residential prospects. It operates the official tourist information center and promotes the South Kingstown economy in general. For the residents and business people of South Kingstown, the Chamber of Commerce is a reliable source of community information, and a dependable resource for business referrals.
Referrals
General information and business referrals are available by phone (401-783-2801) during office hours Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Office at 230 Old Tower Hill Road, South Kingstown is stocked with a wide variety of brochures, maps and information about our area. We welcome visits from business people, residents and tourists alike.
Goals
The South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce members and staff are part of an organizational effort, which mutually benefits their community, their businesses and their families. Anyone interested in community progress and economic prosperity is invited and encouraged to join the members of the Chamber of Commerce working to accomplish these goals.
Past Presidents
1935-1943 Grafton Kenyon
1944-1945 Henry St. Germain
1945-1948 John O’Neill Sr.
1948-1950 Charles Perkins
1950-1951 Francis McGrath
1951-1952 Arthur Hassell
1952-1953 Elmer LaCoste
1953-1954 Allison Hilton
1954-1955 John Hopkins
1955-1956 Irving Carpenter
1956-1957 Alex McKenzie
1957-1958 Arthur Grasso
1958-1959 Hazel Spink
1959-1961 Al Fortin
1961-1962 Brian Curtis
1962-1964 Al Fortin
1964-1965 Lewis Reed
1965-1967 Ray Schwab
1967-1968 Howard Friel
1968-1969 H. Milton Read, Jr.
1969-1970 Fred Dowling
1970-1971 Alice Fleming
1971-1973 Joseph Frisella
1973-1974 Rosario Papa
1975-1976 Rick Wilson
1976-1979 Al Fortin
1979-1980 Marjorie Schwab
1980-1982 Deedra Durocher
1982-1983 Marc Archambault
1983-1984 John Kenny
1984-1985 John Tickner
1985-1986 Tony Lachowicz
1986-1987 Jim Auckerman
1987-1988 Grace Wheelan
1988-1989 Janice Proffitt
1989-1990 Jerry Saywell
1990-1991 Frank Blount
1991-1992 Pat Terra
1992-1993 Larry Fish
1993-1994 John Rose
1994-1995 Charles Paolino
1995-1997 Greg Sweet
1997-1998 Sue Sherman
1998-1999 Meg Healy
1999-2001 Beau Jones
2001-2002 Darlene Evans & David O’Brien
2002-2003 David O’Brien
2003-2005 Steve Maciel
2005-2006 Jeff Broadhead
2006-2007 Beth LeConte
2008-2009 Paula Spirito
2009-Present Joe Viele
We Thank All Of The Men & Women That Dedicated Their Time To Serve Our Chamber.