Governor Names America's Cup Committee

The Committee, established last month, will coordinate Rhode Island's efforts to ensure a successful event. Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport, will serve as Chairman.

The AC World Series will take place June 23 – July 1, 2012 in Newport. The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) has estimated that the event could create hundreds of new jobs and pump more than $70 million into the state's economy.

"The America's Cup World Series races have great potential to bring job creation and revenue to Rhode Island," Chafee said. "This Host Committee, led by Newporter and renowned sailor Brad Read, will help to coordinate important preparation efforts to ensure that this exciting event is thoroughly successful. Its members have strong ties to the sailing world, marine trades, hospitality and tourism, and a number of other relevant fields. What they all share is an understanding of what it will take to make the AC World Series a success for Newport and the State of Rhode Island."

The committee will be made up of the following individuals:

• Brad Read: Executive Director of Sail Newport, Chair
• Keith Stokes: representative from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation
• Dr. Robin Wallace, David Elwell, David Holley: representatives from the Rhode Island State Yachting Commission
• Michael Keyworth: representative from the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association
• Martha Sheridan: representative from the Providence/Warwick Convention and Visitor's Bureau
• Evan Smith: representative from the Newport and Bristol County Convention and Visitor's Bureau
• Paul Costabile: representative from Rhode Island's commercial shipping industry
• Jody Sullivan: representative from the Newport County Chamber of Commerce
• Jane Howington: representative from the City of Newport
• Bruce Keiser: representative from the Town of Jamestown
• Shawn Brown: representative from the Town of Middletown
• Diane Mederos: representative from the Town of Bristol
• A representative from the Town of Portsmouth to be named
• Richard Nagele: representative from the Fort Adams Trust
• Terry Nathan: representative from International Yacht Restoration School/Museum of Yachting
• Dyer Jones: representative from the Herreshoff Museum
• Peggy Forbes, Donna Kelly: representatives with knowledge and experience regarding implementation of large scale sailing and hospitality events
• Richard Licht: Department of Administration designee
• Michael Lewis: Department of Transportation designee
• Janet Coit: Department of Environmental Management designee

Any other such representatives as the Governor may deem necessary:

• Chris Boyle
• Edward Burman III
• Quentin Chafee
• Trudy Coxe
• Eli Dana
• Alison Eichler
• Jay Gowell
• Geoff Grout
• Bill Harsch
• Halsey Herreshoff
• Stephen Hourahan: Governor's Office
• Colin Kane
• Howard McVay
• Jack McVicker
• Bill Plumb
• Lynn Singleton
• Harry Winthrop

These newly announced members include Rhode Island business leaders, experienced event management professionals, municipal representatives and key state agencies. Drawing on that broad range of private and public sector leadership and business expertise – particularly in the marine trades, sailing, tourism and hospitality, commercial transportation and event management industries – the Committee will coordinate marketing, business outreach, public support, event logistics, traffic, public safety, and public infrastructure preparations to ensure a seamless execution of the event.

The Committee will work closely with the America's Cup Event Authority, municipalities and area businesses to ensure a successful event for all stakeholders including local communities and businesses. Members will facilitate race team and spectator needs, coordinate and integrate public safety measures, facilitate parking, traffic control, pedestrian safety, security, water safety and communication with area residents and businesses and any other necessary functions, including marketing and promotion.

The committee members' biographical information can be accessed at: http://www.governor.ri.gov/americascupcommittee.pdf.