Business Excellence Awards

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

HEALTHCENTRIC ADVISORS’ H. JOHN KEIMIG A MISSION TO EMPOWER PAGE 6

Presenting Sponsor:

Partner Sponsors: BlumShapiro congratulates the 2016 Business Excellence Award Recipients!

National Firm Expertise - Local Ofﬁce Responsiveness

Rhode Island 401-272-5600 Massachusetts blumshapiro.com Connecticut

2 | NOVEMBER 2016 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 | www.pbn.com

BUSINESS

EXCELLENCE

AWARDS AWARDS

2016

Sponsormessages

BlumShapiro is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Business Excellence Awards. Congratulations to all the 2016 Awardees – your innovation, perseverance and pursuit of excellence is an inspiration to all. Just like you, we know that it is not just about compliance – It’s about trusting, partnering and going above and beyond. You do it every day and so do we. As a fellow Rhode Island business, we appreciate your contributions in moving our state forward. Well done!

The Executive Development Center at Bryant Cornerstone Gencorp, The Hilb Group University congratulates the winners of the 2016 congratulates the winners of the 2016 Business Business Excellence Awards. We applaud their Excellence Awards. As a current sponsor and past professional accomplishments and value the importance winner of the Business Excellence Award for Corporate of lifelong learning in order to achieve success in life Citizenship, Cornerstone Gencorp, The Hilb Group would and in business. To learn more about our professional like to recognize the commitment, foresight and hard certificates, that can lead to industry certifications, and work exemplified by this year’s winners. business courses, visit our website at edc.bryant.edu.

Cox Business is proud to continue its sponsorship Partridge Snow & Hahn is proud to congratulate of Providence Business News’ Business Excellence the winners of the 2016 Business Excellence Awards. Awards. Our long-standing support of this venerable The dedication, vision, hard work and commitment to program exemplifies our commitment to providing business excellence that these winners have shown is businesses the most competitive voice, video and data exemplary. services available in this market. We proudly salute all winners in this year’s program.

www.pbn.com | BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2016 | 3 PUBLISHER’S LETTER KEYNOTE SPEAKER | JOHN E. TAYLOR JR. HOW MANY TIMES have we heard today, a decade-and-a-half after JOHN E. TAYLOR JR., chairman home. that innovation is the only true opening Providence’s only drop-in of the board of Twin River World- Now comes the planned cre- defensible competitive advantage? and advocacy center for domestic wide Holdings, is addressing ation of a new casino in Tiverton And yet, despite being oft-repeated, violence, Sojourner House also attendees at Providence Business on the border with Fall River. Tay- the concept is has an emergency shelter, transi- News’ 16th lor and company look to send $68 far more than a tional housing, a shelter for male Business million to the state, an improve- bromide. victims, permanent supportive Excellence ment on the $26.7 million that New- Four of this housing and soon, housing for Awards event. port Grand returned to the state year’s Busi- those trying to escape human traf- And what tim- treasury in fiscal 2016. How he will ness Excellence ficking. ing! accomplish that goal will no doubt Awards winners As for Ximedica, that is its Taylor’s be interesting listening. have put innova- raison d’etre. Founded 30 years company, Taylor’s domain includes not tion at the center ago by two Rhode Island School of which owns only Twin River and Newport of their business Design grads, the company helps Twin River Grand (and soon the Tiverton ca- plans. For A2B other companies develop and bring Casino as well sino), but the Hard Rock Hotel and Tracking Solutions Inc., building to market biotech and medical-de- as Newport Grand Casino, plans to Casino Biloxi in Mississippi, and products and services that allow vice products that are made to be build a new gambling facility in Ti- Arapahoe Park, a horse racetrack the U.S. military to keep track of disruptive. If the company doesn’t verton and transfer the state gam- outside Denver. material all over the world is by innovate, it doesn’t exist. ing license from Newport Grand Prior to coming on as chairman definition innovative. And as in- PBN’s BEA program always to the new location. The process of Twin River’s previous owner formation technology continues to has had the support of generous has been roughly 18 months in the in 2010, as the casino emerged move forward at breakneck speed, sponsors, and this year that is making, starting with Twin Riv- from bankruptcy, Taylor was innovating is the only way to stay true again. Presenting sponsor of er’s purchase of Newport Grand in CEO of GameLogic Inc., focusing the Business Excellence Awards relevant. the spring of 2015. on developing online gaming and for the first time is Blum Shapiro. Highlander Institute is less con- Welcome aboard. Partner sponsors As Taylor well knows, making marketing strategies for regulated cerned with innovation of hard- this year are Bryant University’s any changes to the state’s gaming gambling entities. Prior to that, ware exclusively, but rather looks Executive Development Center, facilities requires consensus-build- he worked for nearly a decade at to overturn the status quo in teach- Cox Business, the Hilb Group of ing of a most delicate nature. Over GTECH Corp., the Providence- ing with a combination of new New England and Partridge Snow the years Taylor has made the case based global provider of lottery technology and new techniques. & Hahn LLP. for incremental changes to Twin services. Sojourner House noticed that River (once it exited bankruptcy), Taylor is a graduate of Rhode its original client pool, victims the former dog-racing facility that Island College. He has served as a of domestic violence, was often was turned into a slots parlor and trustee of the Rhode Island College on the receiving end of sexual now is a full casino, operating Foundation and is a member of violence, including trafficking, as Roger C. Bergenheim round the clock and with table Johnson & Wales University Corp. well. Seeing that there was a great President and Publisher games. On the planning board is need being unmet caused this non- an on-site hotel, which required a profit to innovate, so much so that deft hand in the facility’s Lincoln TABLE OF CONTENTS BUSINESS LEADERSHIP ...... page 6 H. John Keimig, CEO, president Healthcentric Advisors CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP ...... page 8 Edward O. “Ned” Handy III, president, chief operating officer Congratulations, John! The Washington Trust Co. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ...... page 10 Pawtucket Red Sox Healthcentric Advisors associates and EXCELLENCE AT AN ENTERPRISE COMPANY ...... page 12 board of directors congratulate you on receiving Providence Business News’ Shawmut Design and Construction Business Leadership award. EXCELLENCE AT A LARGE COMPANY ...... page 14 Thank you for your leadership and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island dedication to our organization.

EXCELLENCE AT A MIDSIZE COMPANY ...... page 16 Your commitment allows us to remain Ximedica as the preferred neutral convener for EXCELLENCE AT A SMALL COMPANY ...... page 18 the purpose of advancing health care quality and safety in Rhode Island Province Mortgage Associates Inc. and across New England. EXCELLENCE AT A SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY ...... page 19 Sojourner House H. John Keimig, MHA, FACHE EXCELLENCE AT A NONPROFIT ...... page 20 President & CEO Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND LEARNING ...... page 21 Highlander Institute ENTREPRENEURSHIP ...... page 22 A2B Tracking Solutions Inc. Rhode Island, New England and the Nation EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY ...... page 23 401.528.3200 [email protected] HealthcentricAdvisors.org Tufts Health Plan 4 | NOVEMBER 2016 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 | www.pbn.com edc.bryant.edu | (401) 232-6200

www.pbn.com | BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2016 | 5 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARDS H. JOHN KEIMIG president, CEO HEALTHCENTRIC ADVISORS

job-training programs for electronic health records and for nursing home workers, as well as facilitating the use of standardized tools throughout various facets of medicine. Meanwhile, another of Keimig’s significant directives was updating the nonprofit’s brand. Formally known as Quality Partners of Rhode Island, its name was changed to Health- centric Advisors in 2011 as a means to reflect its expansion, both in its expertise and services and in its coverage area. “This persistent commitment to the organization’s central mission and its associates is a testament to Mr. Keimig’s accountability, integrity, open communication and overall approach to leadership,” said Kara Butler, Healthcentric’s director of administrative services. Keimig is just as dedicated to the community. He sits on numerous boards, including the government affairs committee and the finance committee for the American Health Quality Association in Washington, D.C., as well as for the Rhode Island Quality Institute. He also lectures on health care topics at Xavier University and Rhode Island College. Ultimately, he noted, empowerment is central to the organization’s mission because, simply put, there is no “silver bullet” when it comes to improving health care. “It cannot be improved merely through MAKING IT HAPPEN: Healthcentric Advisors staff in a meeting. From left, Putney Pyles, mandate, regulation or a mission statement on senior program coordinator; H. John Keimig, a glossy annual report,” he said. president and CEO, Tammy Quattrocchi, He takes a three-pronged approach to that contracts coordinator and compliance ofﬁcer. philosophy: Healthcentric employees are empowered to be creative and take calculated PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO risks; health care providers are empowered with data and practices to help make changes in quality of care; and patients are empowered to be active when it comes to their health and health care. Positive power player As a means to further emphasize its mission, Healthcentric has adopted the tagline BY TARYN PLUMB | Contributing Writer “Advancing Healthcare Quality and Empower- ing People.” As Keimig noted, the two go hand HEALTHCENTRIC ADVISORS is all about empowerment. in hand. “We don’t provide health care,” he stressed, Under the direction of President and CEO H. John Keimig, the nonprofit “We provide education and technical as- has strategically worked to improve health care and patient safety by em- sistance to those who do so that they can deliver health care that is better, safer, more powering health care providers, patients and its own employees. accessible, of higher value and more person- “Health care quality cannot be advanced Organization for New England. The nonprofit centered.” n without the empowerment of people,” said was just one of 14 government contractors Keimig. chosen for the new nationwide QIN-QIO, a Due in no small part to that philosophy – as collaborative effort with initiatives aimed ‘Health care well as Keimig’s leadership – Healthcentric has at improving care and coordination of care, experienced tremendous growth and transfor- fostering preventative activities and patient mation since its founding in 1994. and family engagement, promoting IT use and quality cannot be The Providence-based nonprofit originally reducing such dangers as medication errors or started out as a quality improvement organiza- infections caused as the result of health care. tion contractor for Rhode Island for the federal “This expansion has led to immense growth advanced without Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. and additional opportunities over the past two Today it administers that contract through- years,” said Keimig. out New England, and also provides quality To accommodate that growth, Healthcentric the empowerment of improvement, education, consulting and other opened up two satellite offices, in Woburn, services throughout the country. Mass., and Brunswick, Maine. In subse- As Keimig pointed out, 2014 was a landmark quent years, it has also been awarded federal people.’ year for Healthcentric; it was awarded a $53.4 contracts and innovation projects aimed at H. JOHN KEIMIG, Healthcentric million contract by CMS to administer a Qual- improving care even further. Other initia- ity Innovation Network-Quality Improvement tives have included creating and managing Advisors, CEO and president

6 | NOVEMBER 2016 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 | www.pbn.com INSURANCE I BENEFITS I RETIREMENT I HR

2016The C-SuiteHilb Group ofAward New England Recipients Congratulates The 2016 Business Excellence Awardees

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP I John Keimig, President and CEO Healthcentric Advisors

CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP I Edward “Ned” Handy, President and COO The Washington Trust Company

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT I Pawtucket Red Sox

ENTERPRISE COMPANY I Shawmut Design & Construction

LARGE COMPANY I Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island

MID-SIZE COMPANY I Ximedica

SMALL COMPANY I Province Mortgage Associates

NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION I Providence Warwick Convention and Visitor Bureau

SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY I Sojourner House

DIVERSITY I Tufts Health Plan

EDUCATION AND LEARNING I Highlander Institute

ENTREPRENEURSHIP I A2B Tracking Solutions

1.800.232.0582 l HilbGroupne.com OVER 30 SERVICING OFFICES NATIONWIDE

www.pbn.com | BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2016 | 7 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP AWARDS EDWARD O.“NED” HANDY III president and chief operating ocer THE WASHINGTON TRUST CO.

INVESTED IN COMMUNITY: Edward O. “Ned” Handy III, The Washington Trust Co.’s president and chief operating ofﬁcer, cannot remember a time in his career when he was not actively engaged in philanthropy efforts. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Philanthropy a natural for Handy BY JACQUELYN GUTC | Contributing Writer

EDWARD O. “NED” HANDY III has big goals. “To end homelessness. To end hunger. I would like to help the improvement of education,” he said. To say that he is involved in and his passion for the community Handy said. He is committed to a lot of things with those aims in shows.” helping ensure that everyone has mind is an understatement. Handy is most proud of the capi- equal access to opportunity. In addition to being president tal campaign he chaired for the $5 Handy’s passion for making and chief operating officer of million Amos House community a difference was instilled in him The Washington Trust Co., he’s on center that opened this year on through his parents and their phil- nearly a dozen nonprofit boards the campus of the social service anthropic efforts, and has grown and advisory councils – including agency. throughout his career. those connected with the Rhode “Seeing the [four-story, “I don’t remember a part of my Island Hospital Foundation, 29,000-square-foot] building oc- career when I wasn’t working for Providence Foundation, Cross- cupied and now completed and a company that had a bent toward roads Rhode Island, Amos House, serving their constituents so civic involvement,” said Handy, Providence College and Salve beautifully, I’m proud of that. That whose career includes 18 years Regina University – and was just stands out,” Handy said. with Citizens Bank after starting elected to the board of the Rhode Handy has most consistently his career as a 22-year-old with Island Community Food Bank. But been a part of the San Miguel Fleet Financial Group. for Handy, holding board posi- School, a private middle school That holds true at Washington tions isn’t about recognition and for at-risk boys in the Providence Trust too, which Handy joined in expanding his resume. area. Handy was on the school’s 2013. The bank says more than 60 In the words of Neil D. Stein- first board more than 20 years ago, percent of its 600 employees vol- ‘It’s not a berg, president and CEO of the and he and his wife – Polly Chat- unteered in 2014. Handy hopes to Rhode Island Foundation and long- terton Handy, the current board help that number grow through time friend, Handy “is a doer.” chair – have mentored and spon- leading by example. ﬁnancial thing. Steinberg said that Handy sored students for many years. “I hope that both by leading stands out as a member of the “I’m very proud of what San by example and by espousing a Rhode Island Foundation’s board Miguel has turned out to be and corporate culture that kind of It’s time and of directors because of his exten- how many young men, at 50 a year, assumes involvement in some sive knowledge of the state and his have gone through that school way, shape, or form, that people drive to see concepts through until and their lives have been turned will start early and be involved energy and they are a reality. around because of it,” Handy said. however they can,” he said. “It’s “Ned’s not somebody who just Those who look at Handy’s not a financial thing. It’s time shows up at board meetings,” nonprofit involvement are likely and energy and talent.” n talent.’ Steinberg said. “He’s a civic to notice a pattern. EDWARD O. “NED” HANDY leader. He’s involved in the busi- “For me, it’s a good mix of ness community through the bank; things that are helping out with III, The Washington Trust he’s involved in the nonprofit com- safety-net issues but also with Co. president and chief munity; he lives in the community things that are aimed at keep- and grew up in the community, ing people out of the safety net,” operating ofﬁcer

8 | NOVEMBER 2016 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 | www.pbn.com CONGRATULATIONS.

We are Proud to Sponsor the PBN Business Excellence Awards.

Partridge Snow & Hahn is proud to congratulate the winners of the 2016 Business Excellence Awards. The dedication, vision, hard work and commitment to business excellence that these winners have shown is exemplary.

Learn about our law ﬁrm at psh.com.

www.pbn.com | BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2016 | 9 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AWARDS PAWTUCKET RED SOX

NATURALLY ENGAGED: Pawtucket Red Sox’s Paws pals it up with Noah Minucci, 8, of Cranston at the Whole Foods store there to beneﬁt the Whole Kids Foundation, which has the goal of improving nutrition for children. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

sponsors an annual “Walk and Roll” event that includes participants who use wheelchairs – all participants get game tickets. A pre-game ceremony on the field includes the presenta- tion of a $40,000 check to the school. For the Challenger Little League of Coven- try, which is comprised of young ball players who are physically and mentally disabled, the PawSox sponsors an annual Challenger Clinic, which allows these players to practice, learn from and meet PawSox players right on the McCoy Stadium field. Every July, the club hosts a U.S. citizenship swearing-in ceremony at McCoy Stadium. It’s also hosted fundraising barbecues for the Little Sisters of the Poor and the local Home and Hospice Organization. For two years in a row it has held a Veterans Day luncheon in the PawSox clubhouse as a thanks to those who served their country. “It’s all about our overall willingness to help the community,” Tamburro said. “To help lift up those in need is the responsibility of a successful company. And we have a willingness to do our share in a quiet way.” New programs this season include a “Hurl the Pearl” event that benefits families with children diagnosed with cancer. In the fifth in- ning of every home game, fans throw softballs into the sunroof of a moving Honda Odyssey. The softballs are sold for $1 each. The event has raised more than $10,000 for the Provi- dence-based, cancer-support organization The Tomorrow Fund. There’s also “My Hero Mondays,” during which a local citizen is nominated by fans on the club website to be introduced at a Monday home game and throw the ceremonial first pitch. Joe Bradlee – special assistant to the president and general manager – said this program has been so popular that the club had Team spirit stretches to add Tuesday and Thursday games for introducing these local heroes. He is glad this is another PawSox commu- beyond the ballpark nity initiative that’s been a success. “We all feel a moral and social obligation as BY MICHAEL J. DECICCO | Contributing Writer a successful organization to give back in every way we can,” he said. n IT’S DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT what exactly earned the Pawtucket Red Sox the Providence Business News’ Business Excellence Award for Community Involvement for 2016. The ballclub’s list of community outreach and chari- ‘We all feel a moral table fundraising over the past 43 years is expansive. and social obligation First and foremost is the fact the Triple-A Boys & Girls Club youngsters between the ages Boston Red Sox affiliate established a chari- of 10-14 to the Major League Baseball World table foundation in 1999 that has donated more Series – footing the bill for tickets, air travel … to give back in than $1 million to a variety of community and hotels. It sponsors the Boys & Girls Club of organizations. The PawSox were honored in Pawtucket’s RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner 2014 with Minor League Baseball’s John Henry Cities) team with a $10,000 donation to help pay every way we Moss Community Service Award for being a for uniforms and equipment. Tamburro also team with a demonstrated and ongoing com- recently co-chaired the fundraising effort that mitment to community service. built an $8 million addition to the Boys & Girls can.’ Pawtucket Red Sox Vice Chairman Mike Club headquarters. JOE BRADLEE, Pawtucket Red Sox Tamburro’s community service starts with his Other programs and organizations the club and the club’s 40-year involvement with Paw- underwrites every year include Meeting Street special assistant to the president tucket Boys & Girls Club. in Providence, at which Tamburro has been and general manager For 25 seasons, the ballclub has sent two a board member for about 10 years. The club

10 | NOVEMBER 2016 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 | www.pbn.com EVENTS 2017

BOOK OF LISTS PREMIER EVENT JANUARY The best business networking event of the year! Business leaders and executives join PBN in honoring the many companies featured in the Book of Lists.

MANUFACTURING AWARDS MARCH Celebrate the Manufacturing Renaissance that is evolving regionally and across the country. The PBN Manufacturing Awards recognizes manufacturers in multiple award categories, and one individual receives the Leadership & Strategy Award.

C-SUITE AWARDS APRIL PBN’s C-Suite Awards program recognizes top C-level executives for public, private and nonprofit companies who are innovators, trailblazers, role models and leaders in the community.

BUSINESS WOMEN AWARDS MAY PBN honors the success of women in a variety of industries and recognizes younger, professional women to watch as well as industry leaders. A career achiever and outstanding mentor are also honored.

BEST PLACES TO WORK IN RHODE ISLAND JUNE Celebrate the state’s best employers, who are selected based on extensive employee surveys and 2017 feedback reports from Best Companies Group.

40 UNDER FORTY JULY Recognizes forty men and women, under the age of 40, who are successful in their careers and involved in their communities. 2016

HEALTHIEST EMPLOYERS AUGUST Healthiest Employers in Rhode Island recognizes employers who have implemented worksite Health & Wellness programs and have shown a commitment to employee health and safety.

FASTEST GROWING/INNOVATIVE COMPANIES SEPTEMBER This program highlights the region’s Fastest Growing Companies and those that are especially innovative in developing new processes, products and services that improve competitiveness and spur growth.

BUSINESS BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS NOVEMBER EXCELLENCE PBN’s Premier Awards Event recognizes leadership and general excellence at private and public companies AWARDS and nonprofit organizations.

PBN SUMMITS FEB. / OCT. / DEC. Summits cover a variety of timely topics including Health Care, Leadership and Cybersecurity.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE | 401-680-4800 | [email protected]

www.pbn.com | BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2016 | 11 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE AT AN ENTERPRISE COMPANY AWARDS SHAWMUT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION Enterprising by design BY LIZ LEE | Contributing Writer

IT’S BEEN MORE THAN 75 years since the U.S. government amended the Fair Labor Standards Act, limiting the workweek to 40 hours, and popularizing the 9-to-5 schedule we’ve all come to know. It’s less than ideal for many of us, and is still the standard despite technological advancements and cultural shifts that have had profound ef- ALL TOGETHER NOW: Employee ownership and flexible work scheduling result in fects on the way Americans live and work. It’s a an engaged and productive workforce, say Shawmut Design & Construction man- agers. From left, Aimee Kingston, senior project manager; Gordon Zaniol, project wonder then that more companies aren’t doing manager; Beverly Smith, client-service manager; Peter Scolara, senior project what Shawmut Design and Construction is doing manager, confer at the firm’s Providence office. – working to create more flexible, individualized PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO schedules for employees.

15 YEARS IN A ROW

For the 15TH consecutive year, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island has earned the highest level of accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Neighborhood’s commitment to quality, affordability and access puts us among the top health plans in the country. We’re proud to serve individuals, families and small businesses across Rhode Island. 855-321-9244 | nhpri.org

12 | NOVEMBER 2016 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 | www.pbn.com “We believe that our people provide the best client And it must be working: In 2015, Shawmut experi- service when they feel their best,” said Ron Simo- enced revenue growth of about 34 percent. neau, vice president and head of Shawmut’s Provi- “Generally over 85 percent of our revenue is from ‘We believe dence office. repeat customers, which is incredibly high in an In addition to the flexible work schedules, em- industry where you are only as good as your last proj- ployees also benefit from things that include college- ect,” said Simoneau. that our tuition reimbursement, a company-paid health Shawmut’s most recent Rhode Island projects coverage option and incentives to give back to the include the 34,000-square-foot performing arts facility people community. In addition to being named one of Provi- on the Moses Brown campus, and the 13,000-square- dence Business News’ Best Places to Work this year, foot Applied Math Building at Brown University. it was also named one of Fortune Magazine’s 2016 100 The company is building Brown’s new School of provide the Best Work Places in the country. Engineering, a 200,000-square-foot project that will be But Shawmut’s flexible-schedule initiative is just built using IPD, a method that Simoneau says takes one of several innovative programs the company collaboration to a completely different level. “Subcon- best client has built its reputation on since it was founded in tractors and consultants all place their profits at risk 1982. Today the Boston-based company – with about and subject them to the outcome of the entire project, 80 workers based in Rhode Island – has completed instead of their specific scope,” he said. service when high-profile projects in Providence, from the Bridge For instance, quality control and safety measures Building expansion at Rhode Island Hospital to the can be built into the design, he said. Or strategies can renovation of several historic buildings on the Brown be incorporated into prefabrication of work once the they feel their University campus. project is looked at as a whole by all involved. Though Shawmut’s presence in Rhode Island has IPD is at the core of Shawmut’s Lean Initiative, a best.’ grown substantially since it opened its Providence of- building technique that breaks down the construc- fice in 2000, the market here has not been without its tion process and makes it easier to understand for not RON SIMONEAU, Shawmut challenges, says Simoneau. only the client, but for partners and subcontractors as “A succinct approach where the most talented well. Design and Construction people work collectively to achieve common goals is a Said Simoneau, “As a 100 percent, employee-owned vice president stark departure from … the traditional concept of ‘low company, each individual can really get behind and bid,’ which has plagued the construction industry for own this transformative initiative. It’s really been a decades,” he said. great differentiator so far. And I think it will continue With this in mind, Shawmut uses an approach to be one for quite some time,” with customers ulti- based on Lean Methodology, Target Value Design and mately benefiting from this enterprising approach. n Integrated Project Delivery to ensure stakeholders are fully engaged and accountable, Simoneau said.

Reason #15 Our leadership.

Congratulations to Ned Handy on his Corporate Citizenship Award!

Our leadership team is a key reason Washington Trust has been recognized as one of the premier financial service companies in the nation and is known as Rhode Island’s Bank of Choice. We are proud of Ned’s commitment and dedication to the local community.

Ned Handy President & COO Washington Trust #somanyreasons Member FDIC

www.pbn.com | BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2016 | 13 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE AT A LARGE COMPANY AWARDS NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH PLAN OF RHODE ISLAND Aordable health care the mission BY TARYN PLUMB | Contributing Writer

NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH PLAN OF RHODE ISLAND is devoted to making lives better. “There is a clear mission in everybody’s day-today work,” said Peter Marino, CEO and president of the Smithfield and Providence-based nonprofit HMO. “We want to provide great quality care at a price that at-risk populations in the state can afford.” In the process of working toward that goal, the 13-year-old health insurer has established itself as a HOME VISITS: One of Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island’s newest initiatives includes multidisciplinary home health visits. Here Noel Hernandez, left, NHPRI community outreach leader in its industry. specialist, and Terri Venditto, right, RN and medical case manager, visit NHPRI member Alta- Over the past three years, it has experienced gracia Martinez. tremendous growth across all levels of its business. Membership grew from 92,000 in November 2013 to PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO 190,646 by the end of October 2016, with annual gross revenue more than doubling over the same time pe-

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14 | NOVEMBER 2016 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 | www.pbn.com riod, from $430 million to $1.01 billion. To accommo- to the roots of medicine. Analytics help to determine date that growth, Neighborhood Health has expanded which patients might benefit from a certain kind its staff to 468 this year from 230 in 2012. of care. Once they are identified, nurses and social ‘There is There are several factors that have allowed for that workers visit them in their homes and provide assess- expansion, according to Marino. First and foremost: ments. As Marino noted, in the process other non- The Affordable Care Act. Being able to offer cover- medical needs are often discovered, such as housing, a clear age through the state’s health insurance exchange, food security or heating issues. Their providers work HealthSource RI, opened the HMO up to several with them to help resolve those needs so that they can mission in groups outside of its traditional Medicaid business, better focus on their health. including adults without dependents, seniors and “Primary care is really the fundamental solution the disabled, and everyday Rhode Islanders seeking to that,” said Marino, adding that, as a result, Neigh- everybody’s coverage. borhood Health has seen a reduction of more than 30 Today, one in every six state residents is enrolled percent of emergency room visits in that population. in a Neighborhood Health plan, Marino said. The “It’s really a homegrown initiative here.” day-to-day HMO ultimately serves two-thirds of the Medicaid Another strength is Neighborhood Health’s diver- population in the state. sity: It has employees who speak multiple languages, Another initiative is its INTEGRITY program, and in some cases come from the populations they work.’ which launched in July 2016 and is targeted to those serve. “There’s a real good connection between our who are “dual eligible” – or able to receive both members and the folks that work here. That’s another PETER MARINO, Medicaid (which is for low-income populations) and piece of the puzzle that really has helped us be suc- Neighborhood Health Plan Medicare (which is for populations over 65 or those cessful.” of Rhode Island CEO and suffering from a severe disability, no matter their He said the goal is to continue to develop Neighbor- income). hood Health’s diverse array of offerings and help to president Rhode Island is one of 13 states working on such a make the health care process easier and more acces- program through a partnership with the federal Cen- sible. ters for Medicare and Medicaid Services, according “We’ve had a very successful couple of years here,” to Marino, who described it as a slow and deliberate said Marino. “We want to make sure that we stick to roll-out that is still in its infancy. our fundamentals and do them well.” n “Care for those who are dual eligible is typically not well-coordinated across the country,” he said. “We’re at the forefront of trying to create a new way to provide their care at a price that everybody can afford. That’s certainly one of our largest initiatives right now.” Another relatively new program is Health@Home, which was launched two years ago and hearkens back

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Ximedica is a global design and development firm exclusively focused on bringing medical technologies from first concept to market launch.

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau

As President of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association, Dale Venturini helps her industry grow and thrive. Thanks to Dale, business is better than ever and students from around the country will see just how bright a future in the hospitality industry can be. Dale recommended Rhode Island as the site of the National Restaurant Association’s 2018 ProStart Invitational, which will bring more than 350 high school competitors to the RI Convention Center to test their management and culinary skills. That one event will pump nearly $1 million into the Rhode Island economy. To ﬁnd out how you can promote Rhode Island to your group, visit RecommendRI.com. ximedica.com RecommendRI.com

401.456.0200 | [email protected]

www.pbn.com | BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2016 | 15 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE AT A MIDSIZE COMPANY AWARDS XIMEDICA Staying one step ahead BY JOHN A. LAHTINEN | Contributing Writer

BACK IN THE MID-1980S, fellow Rhode Island School of Design grads Stephen Lane and Aidan Petrie formed a company devoted to providing an innovative and creative platform for introducing medical- technology products to the BETTER OUTCOME, LOWER COST: Michelle Wu, Ximedica vice president of quality, and Bradley Codkind, design insurance engineer, discuss a project at the company’s Providence headquarters. marketplace, among other PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY things.

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16 | NOVEMBER 2016 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 | www.pbn.com Today, that company – known as Ximedica for the ers; Accelerate Diagnostics’ ID/AST, a system used past decade – is a leader in the innovation, develop- to provide identification and minimum inhibitory ment and commercialization of medical and health concentration-based susceptibility results direct from ‘We know care products. Its customer roster ranges from For- sample in hours instead of days; and 3Derm Systems, tune 100 med-tech and pharma companies to emerg- which is developing a hand-held stereoscopic imaging ing tech startups. system for remote skin monitoring. that whatever “Our services provide a value solution for develop- “In today’s health care environment, innovation is ment and commercialization under a fully regulated not innovation unless it provides a better outcome at was “good quality-management system that provides flexibility, a lower cost,” Barko said. “That does not mean that reduces risk and time to market,” said Randall S. the device or product must be a lower price, it means Barko, Ximedica’s president and CEO for nearly five the total cost of the procedure, the length of stay, the enough” years. “Ximedica has no products of our own. We are risk of infection – the better outcome – is a lower cost an extension of our customers and provide virtual to the health care system. We take pride in being part resources as needed.” of a better solution that impacts patients by improv- today will Since Ximedica is developing new and innova- ing outcomes, enhancing lives and helping our cus- tive products, confidentiality is tantamount. To that tomers achieve their business objectives.” end, the company has built a fire wall system into its Joe Gordon has been with Ximedica for 14 years, not be “good standard operating procedures that allows it to work serving as director of technical innovation for the simultaneously with competitors on similar products past three. Often “accused” by fellow employees of with the assurance of maintaining confidentiality having the best job, Gordon says exposure to a variety enough” with dedicated resources exclusive to the individual of projects, technologies and clients keeps his role engagement. exciting and fresh. tomorrow.’ According to Barko, Ximedica’s revenue has in- “I feel very fortunate to have worked at a place for creased 229 percent since 2013, reaching $53.8 million as long as I have and never felt bored,” Gordon said. RANDALL S. BARKO, in 2015. That figure, he said, is expected to surpass $60 “Innovation is core to my role. The breadth of chal- million this year. lenges requiring novel solutions is what keeps my job Ximedica CEO and In the past three years, the company’s full-time interesting. We have assembled an amazing group of president staff has increased from about 75 to almost 150 with vibrant, talented individuals with a passion for what expansions in its Providence and Minneapolis offices they do.” and the acquisition of San Francisco-based Bridge De- Barko says that Ximedica strives to become a sign in 2015. In July, Ximedica acquired AccelBiotech trusted adviser with its customers. in Los Gatos, Calif., which should bring the employee “We constantly work to establish credibility and a figure to more than 200 into 2017. spirit of openness in all we do,” he said. “We oper- Recent Ximedica projects have included Gecko ate on facts, not opinions and focus on results. … We Health Innovations and its prototype cloud-based know that whatever was ‘good enough’ today will not CareTRx™ device, which adds intelligence to inhal- be ‘good enough’ tomorrow.” n

Congratulations to the 2016 Business Excellence Recipients!

We are honored to receive the Excellence in Diversity award. Committed to our mission of improving the health and wellness of the diverse communities we serve, we are proud to be recognized as a leader in Rhode Island.

tuftshealthplan.com

www.pbn.com | BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2016 | 17 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE AT A SMALL COMPANY AWARDS PROVINCE MORTGAGE ASSOCIATES INC.

MAKING CONNECTIONS: Prov- ince Mortgage Associates CEO, President and Executive Director David Currie, center, makes a point of creating a work culture that values employees, who in turn value the ﬁrm’s customers. Operations Manager Glenn Tourtellot is at left. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

These regulatory changes made it easier for consumers but created tremendous pressure for mortgage companies to comply. “Province is humbled and proud to share that we thrived!” Wilson said. “Our leadership has stayed way ahead of these changes while proactively feeding this information to our entire team.” Another challenge came in the form of a loss that hit too close to home at Province. In 2013, Operations Manager Chris Amaral was diagnosed with cancer and died one year later. The company organized the First An- nual Chris Amaral Memorial Mini- Golf Tournament in his memory. The Sept. 17, 2016, event at Mul- ligan Island Golf and Entertain- Cohesive culture, ment in Cranston raised $10,000 for The Tomorrow Fund, which aids children and their families dealing happy customers with cancer. The loss and planning of the me- BY MICHAEL J. DECICCO | Contributing Writer morial event symbolizes the staff’s family-like closeness in handling referrals, and the vast majority of RECOGNIZED AS ONE of the Best Places to Work by any future challenges that come its the customer-satisfaction surveys way. n Providence Business News seven times within the past are answered with positive feed- eight years, Province Mortgage Associates Inc. knows back. “We get around 30 surveys back what it’s about and what its customers expect. per month, all with positive com- ments,” he said. “The main reason “We’ve always stayed true to and quite literally being cohesive- they give, it’s always the service. who we were and are,” President, ly principled. Province Mortgage Our closing costs are reasonable. Executive Director and CEO David quickly created a list of principles ‘It’s always Our rates are competitive. But it’s Currie said. “We could’ve gotten a that all employees must adhere to, always the service. That’s why our lot bigger, but not without losing including the creed that they are clients actively refer others to us.” the service. sight of who we are. “ all reflections of one another “in Province itself reaches out into Who they are is a trusted resi- and out of office.” the community, and in unique dential and commercial mortgage Not all of those who sell ways. In 2013, the company started That’s why our broker and lender that stays true mortgages always have a vested an internal Accountability Coach- to its small-company origins. That interest in the success of the ing Boot Camp designed to teach is possible, said Currie, because homebuyer, Wilson said. Because better daily work habits. This clients actively “we hire like-minded people. Do of its client-focused philosophy, boot camp has been extended into that, and it’s contagious. You grow Province, on the other hand, calls a free community outreach and with the right people with the its lenders “mortgage advisers” refer others to training program for Realtors and same moral compass.” and operates more like a close-knit other professionals with sessions Province Director of Corporate family. held across Massachusetts, Rhode Relations Donald Wilson said “As a fully delegated lender, us.’ Island and even Connecticut. when the company started in 2005, [this] company can personally The challenges the company has “We were just a tiny company in a guide the client from origination DONALD WILSON, overcome, Wilson said, include sea of mortgage lenders.” and approval to underwriting and Province Mortgage adjusting to the federal Dodd- The company decided to dif- closing,” Wilson said. Frank regulations in 2011 and Associates director of ferentiate itself by staying small, He proudly notes that 100 per- the Truth in Lending Integrated focusing on the client experience cent of Province’s business is from corporate relations Disclosure Regulations in 2015.

18 | NOVEMBER 2016 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 | www.pbn.com BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AT A SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY EXCELLENCE AWARDS SOJOURNER HOUSE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Sojourner House staff, including from left, Executive Direc- tor Vanessa Volz, Manager of Immigration Advocacy Gloria Greenﬁeld, Director of Opera- tions Sarah DeCataldo, intern Grace McClenticy and Volunteer Coordinator Elizabeth Dugan, are focused on ﬁnding solutions to domestic and sexual violence through advocacy and minister- ing to the needs of victims. PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

Supports shifting to meet changing client needs BY JOHN A. LAHTINEN | Contributing Writer

SOJOURNER HOUSE was founded in the mid-1970s by cacy program for undocumented victims of abuse received an In- Providence residents and Brown University students, novation Award from the Rhode recent alumnae and staff members concerned about the Island Foundation in May. Kelly Henry, the agency’s man- ‘We are going prevalence of domestic violence but the lack of commu- ager of residential advocacy, says family and friends often assume nity resources available to deal with it. that the work she does must be to have to keep “The agency was initially part-timers. draining or depressing. completely volunteer-run and of- Revenue at the end of the 2015 “I find it to be the opposite,” fered limited programming,” said fiscal year approached $750,000; Henry said. “I am passionate about at it and ﬁnd Vanessa Volz, executive director and while the financial statements working with survivors of domes- since 2011. “But in the 1980s, it are not yet final for this year, tic and sexual violence because grew to include paid staff, and the Volz expects the agency to exceed they have so much hope and resil- new ways agency acquired a building that $970,000. iency. I am very lucky to be able to was converted into an emergency Its client base, she said, is witness the amazing growth and shelter, or safe house, which is still varied. change that my clients and their to change used today.” “Our clients are primarily families go through.” In 2002, Sojourner House victims and survivors of domestic Sojourner House is always look- opened Providence’s only drop-in abuse and/or sexual violence,” ing to create innovative solutions systems and advocacy center for domestic Volz said. “Many come to us in to help underserved communities, violence aid. an emergency, having recently including LGBTQ, undocumented, and According to Volz, the agency’s experienced a crisis. Others have men and survivors of human residential program in particu- already left an abusive situation trafficking. According to Henry, lar has grown over the last five but need ongoing support and a huge part of the agency’s effort attitudes years and now includes not only resources. Sometimes family mem- involves the ability to innovate. an emergency shelter, but also bers or friends also reach out to us “Domestic and sexual violence transitional housing, a shelter for to ask how they can be supportive have been part of our society for about male victims, permanent sup- of a loved one who is in an abusive a very long time,” Henry said. portive housing, and by the end situation.” “In order to find solutions, we are of the year, housing for victims of Offering programming and sup- going to have to keep at it and find intimate trafficking. port beyond its housing programs new ways to change systems and “In August,” Volz said, “we and drop-in center, Sojourner attitudes about intimate partner expanded our mission statement to House also provides free, confi- violence.” partner reflect the fact that the work that dential HIV testing and education, Volz echoed the sentiment: we are doing is helping victims financial literacy workshops, “We’re not afraid to try new things violence.’ of not only domestic violence, but youth programming (including and develop new programs, espe- sexual violence as well.” parenting classes), and preven- cially when we realize that there KELLY HENRY, With 11 full-time staff members tion and educational programs are groups that are being under- and three part-timers, the agency designed primarily for middle and served and need our help.” n Sojourner House manager is in the process of hiring another high school students. of residential advocacy full-timer, and possibly two more The agency’s immigration advo- www.pbn.com | BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2016 | 19 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE AT A NONPROFIT AWARDS PROVIDENCE WARWICK CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

IT TAKES A TEAM: The Provi- dence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau team works on multiple fronts to increase the proﬁle of Providence and Warwick, with the goal of growing the tourism and convention business here. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

R.I. boosters and so much more BY JACQUELYN GUTC | Contributing Writer

IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT to find a bigger fan of the spending. comes from a hotel tax, increased Innovative collaborations help 27.6 percent in 2016 over 2011 to Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau than the organization put Providence $3.8 million. Kristin Stone. She is general manager of the Providence on the map. “It’s remarkable to me the The initiative Recommend amount of income they are gen- Riverboat Co., which joined the PWCVB’s program Rhode Island encourages residents erating for the state that nobody to be ambassadors, prompting even knows about,” Stone said. about three years ago. their associations and groups to “They are really the under-the- “I cannot even begin to tell you that the organization has been consider the Ocean State for their radar, unsung heroes of this state how much it has changed our busi- instrumental in bringing more events. The bureau recognizes of ours.” n ness and changed our lives,” said tourism to the area. these residents through newspa- Stone, whose partner Thomas Mc- Providence has certainly gotten per ads, website mentions and an Ginn bought the company in 2004. on the map in the last couple of annual Shining Star Award. This “It’s been an unbelievable shot in years, garnering attention from year, the award was given to Gov. the arm for us. That being said, we national media, including Travel Gina M. Raimondo for her part work it to its fullest.” + Leisure, The New York Times, in securing Rhode Island for the That means the couple says yes Thrillist, NerdWallet and USA National Governors Association’s to every opportunity offered by the Today. summer meeting in July. PWCVB – which has a goal to grow “That, for us, is important be- The PWCVB also serves as the the meeting and visitor industry cause it tells the potential visitor, go-between for businesses and ‘They are really in the area – including taking part from a third-party perspective, organizations here, and those con- in giveaways and making tours that Providence is a great destina- sidering coming to the area. available to bloggers and journal- tion,” said Martha Sheridan, presi- A significant tool for the organi- the under-the- ists, along with attending monthly dent and CEO of the PWCVB. zation’s marketing efforts is social meetings where marketing experts The bureau helps the city nab media. On Facebook, it offers help educate business owners. high-profile events, such as first giveaways and utilizes live video, radar, unsung Stone said that what was origi- two rounds of March’s NCAA which seems to resonate. Facebook nally a part-time business for Mc- men’s basketball tournament. followers increased 19 percent in Ginn that catered to locals hanging “Our team worked really hard the 2015 fiscal year to 27,680. In the heroes of out at The Hot Club, where the for a year preparing for that tour- 16 months since, the number of boat embarks from, has tripled its nament, and we worked in con- likes has grown 65 percent to more this state of business since joining the PWCVB. junction with Providence College than 45,800. It’s shifted to a tourism focus, and and our partner at Dunkin’ Donuts PWCVB’s overall efforts appear she said tourism is 80 percent of Center, and we sold out every to be paying off too, with a 37 per- ours.’ the business. game,” Sheridan said. The group cent increase in convention-relat- Stone said the PWCVB made added a festival and closed down ed hotel rooms booked in 2016 over KRISTIN STONE, them see how beneficial a tourism streets to help expand the event, 2012, despite more people booking Providence Riverboat Co. focus could be. She and others in which the PWCVB estimates directly online, Sheridan said. And the hospitality industry believe generated $3.5 million in direct PWCVB income, which mostly general manager

20 | NOVEMBER 2016 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 | www.pbn.com BUSINESS EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND LEARNING EXCELLENCE AWARDS HIGHLANDER INSTITUTE

A WHOLE NEW WORLD: High- lander Institute is dedicated to spreading innovation to trans- form education. Here, left, Eric Butash, director of operations for the nonproﬁt, discusses smartphone potential with staff at Central Elementary School in Lincoln. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

community partners to turn Rhode Island into an education innovation cluster, the same way many people see Silicon Valley as a hub for technology innovation. Highlander also hosts an annual blended-learning conference, which has followed a similar growth trajectory as the institute Highlander bets on itself, becoming a nationally recognized event. “When we started, it was 50 tech-learning blend people at a cafeteria in a school,” said Borrelli-Murray. “Last year, BY SARAH PARSONS | Contributing Writer we sold out with 900 people at the R.I. Convention Center.” FIVE YEARS AGO, Pleasant View Elementary School involves reshaping the classroom Next year’s conference will itself. Walk into a classroom re- take place March 31 and April 1. in Providence ranked as one of the lowest-performing ceiving Highlander’s coaching and Borrelli-Murray said Highlander schools in the state. Only 17 percent of the school’s you might see groups of students is expecting educational leaders clustered at different learning sta- from all over the country. n third-grade students were considered proficient in tions they can rotate through, with more one-on-one and small-group math. interaction with the teacher. But visit Pleasant View today learning using this blended kind of There’s also a social justice ‘We’re and you’ll experience a totally model, we will be able to do that.” component. Highlander aims to different school. In 2014, Pleasant This innovative approach spread this learning model to View saw the most statistically has helped Highlander Institute resource-strapped schools most in trying to significant growth in standardized morph from a tiny nonprofit into need of innovation. test scores in Providence: second- a nationally recognized leader in “We’re trying to create bet- highest in the state. education. The organization grew ter systems for all kids, not just create Some of the credit for this from five employees to 20 between schools that can afford technol- transformation goes to Highlander 2012 and 2016, while funding qua- ogy,” said Borrelli-Murray. “This better Institute, an education nonprofit drupled during that time period. It is the way we’re going to reshape in Providence. The organiza- now works in 50 schools, including learning.” tion worked with Pleasant View those in Rhode Island, other New In addition to providing con- systems for staff and administrators to draft England states, and even as far as tract support in school districts, and secure a R.I. Department of Oklahoma and Nebraska. Highlander Institute offers FuseRI, Education “Innovation Powered “By embedding its experts a two-year fellowship program for all kids, not by Technology” grant. Highlander in our classrooms, Highlander Rhode Island teachers to receive then trained teachers in blended provides invaluable coaching to free training. learning – integrating data and our teachers and school leaders,” The organization’s EdTechRI just schools technology such as laptops, and said Superintendent of Providence program brings together educa- educational software into the Schools Christopher Maher. “Over tional technology companies and classroom – to improve students’ the past five years, their involve- teachers for monthly meetups. The that can aord learning and performance. ment has grown from a presence tech developers pose questions or “The reality is that learning has in one school to on-site supports highlight problems they’re hav- technology.’ to look different in this rapidly in nearly half of the district’s ing with particular products, and changing and complex world,” schools.” teachers provide feedback. And DANA BORRELLI-MURRAY, said Dana Borrelli-Murray, the In addition to using technology, the EduvateRI initiative, mean- organization’s executive director. part of the blended-learning model while, works with researchers, Highlander Institute “We think that by personalizing Highlander works to implement companies, schools, nonprofits and executive director

www.pbn.com | BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 n PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | NOVEMBER 2016 | 21 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDS A2B TRACKING SOLUTIONS INC.

IN THE KNOW: A2B Tracking Solutions founder, CEO and President Peter M. Collins has built a company that uses bar codes and digital technology to help the U.S. military and civilian clients keep track of millions of assets from its Portsmouth home. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

with colleges and universities, as well as businesses that lease or rent equipment. “We deal with those that man- age everything from 2,000 items Keeping track when inside their own custody up to many millions,” Collins said. “Ev- erybody has this problem, but we it matters most scale [our technology] depending on the kind of environment we’re BY SARAH PARSONS | Contributing Writer getting brought into.” Moving forward, Collins will THE U.S. MILITARY manages 30 million critical assets based tracking system, launched continue investing to drive greater in 2013. The system uses bar codes growth. He said A2B Tracking every year, from tool cribs in Washington, D.C.’s Navy to identify, track and report assets. plans to increase support to the Yard to Humvees rolling through the mountains of In 2016, it also incorporated the software engineering, industrial use of Radio-Frequency Identifi- engineering, and sales and busi- Afghanistan. Keeping track of this material is nothing cation, or RFID. Scanning using ness development areas of the RFID tags is 15 times faster than company in the future. n short of a logistical nightmare. with bar codes, and it also allows “This problem has become U.S. military assets. for better accuracy, more precise basically the 100-pound gorilla in Collins said this software saves scanning and a greater amount of the military that’s weighing down the military $3 billion to $5 bil- information. UC! Web also works ‘What might budgets,” said Peter M. Collins, lion every year. Staff members on mobile computers, tablets and founder, CEO and president of A2B don’t need to waste valuable time smartphones. Tracking Solutions Inc. in Ports- manually tracking inventory or Collins said the company is take 30 days mouth. “Maintenance of equip- hunting for missing products, and experiencing solid double-digit ment costs billions and billions of the military doesn’t waste money growth year over year. Part of the to do manually, dollars.” replacing lost supplies. reason for its success is not just That’s where A2B Tracking “What might take 30 days to do its innovative product, but its long Solutions comes in. manually, you can do in a single history of work with the military. you can The company, which has been day with our technology,” Collins In 2004, the Pentagon called operating for 22 years, works with said. on A2B Tracking as an industry all branches of the U.S. military, The innovation also improves expert to help shape its policy on do in a and its suppliers and contractors readiness and effectiveness. The managing assets. The fact that to register and track supplies U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and A2B Tracking’s technology is using bar codes, microchips and Marine Corps can’t conduct mis- military-grade and can be used in single day cloud-based software. To sim- sions if they’re missing critical the harshest of environments is plify, instead of manually track- supplies. another factor that sets it apart ing inventory with a clipboard “There’s this continuous logis- from competitors. with our and stubby pencil, everything is tics need to know what you have, “It’s really where our special- monitored digitally using ad- where it is and is it ready to go,” ization comes in,” Collins said. vanced technologies, allowing for Collins said. “[With A2B Tracking] “Our competitors don’t support technology.’ full traceability as products move the military can get better insight the military to the extent that we PETER M. COLLINS, throughout the supply chain and to deploy and be effective when do.” between different facilities. To they go out into harm’s way.” It’s not just the military that A2B Tracking Solutions date, A2B Tracking’s software has At the heart of A2B Tracking’s uses the UC! Web software, founder, CEO and president registered about 25 percent of all offerings is its UC! Web cloud- though. A2B Tracking also works 22 | NOVEMBER 2016 | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS n BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 | www.pbn.com BUSINESS EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY EXCELLENCE AWARDS TUFTS HEALTH PLAN

WALKING THE WALK: While Tufts Health Plan sees tailoring products to minority communities as a business imperative, it also invests in developing diverse talent in-house. The Operations Up! group mentor- ing program has had success in creating upward mobility for minority groups in the company. From left, Darrell Thomas, participant and call center supervisor; Jennifer Chin, participant and claims supervisor; Benise Donahue, senior program manager (of Operations Up!), business performance team; Natasha Vega, participant and member services supervisor; and Jason Kao, participant and business analyst. COURTESY TUFTS HEALTH PLAN

initiative, which develops young minority-group employees with management potential with a combination of teaching and mentor- Diversity trend spurs ing to help them move up in the organization. Many senior staff members of better service, growth Tufts serve on boards of organiza- BY MARY LHOWE | Contributing Writer tions in minority communities. Lopera, for instance, is a member of the Association of Latino Pro- ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO Tufts Health Plan, which pro- igible people in those towns served by Tufts doubled. fessionals of America. Employee vides health insurance to 1 million customers in New Many initiatives are compa- groups within the company, such as the YMCA Achievers, composed England, was surprised by demographic news that ap- nywide. Earlier, Tufts had used bilingual people on staff to take largely of black professionals, peared to portend opportunity. customer calls if a translator was volunteer with groups that include needed. With Vision 2020 backing, the Dimock Community Health A survey by the company found called Tufts’ movement into Tufts created a language academy Center in Roxbury, Mass., which that Tufts’ customer group was minority communities a business to teach people how to handle historically has had a large black only 15 percent ethnic and racial imperative. n technical health care terminology population. minorities, in contrast to 26 per- Tufts defines diversity as racial in several languages. cent for the whole population in and ethnic minorities, veterans, Tufts has partnered with com- Massachusetts, the insurer’s home elderly people, and gay, lesbian, munity organizations already state. bisexual and transgender people. working with minorities, such as Juan Lopera, Tufts’ vice presi- Outreach to these groups of people Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. dent for business diversity, who quickly became a major element in ‘Ethnic Diabetes falls heavily on blacks quoted these figures from the U.S. the company’s Vision 2020 corpo- and Latinos, partly because of Census Bureau, said, “We were rate strategy. diet. Lopera described an effort to surprised at how under-represent- “We put in place an ambitious minorities retrain Latino cooks in preparing ed our members were with diverse goal: to double the diversity of our beans more healthfully – with less groups. We have ground to make membership by 2020,” Lopera said. sodium and using brown rice – in are growing up, and a huge opportunity for Lopera, a Spanish-speaking a demonstration that mimicked a business growth.” Latino who had been with the com- popular Spanish soap opera pro- Further, Lopera said, the Cen- pany for several years, was named duction. Similarly, Tufts worked in double sus Bureau says the population of to the new role of VP of business with Fenway Health to teach the Bay State is expected to remain diversity in 2015. employees how to talk with LBGT flat through 2020, but the propor- Early in its diversity campaign, customers about sensitive topics digits. This is tion of minorities is expected to Tufts chose five communities in like gender reassignment surgery. grow by 10 percent. (Census Bu- Massachusetts with populations Tufts’ efforts to invest in reau projections say non-Hispanic that were 50 percent or more an opportunity.’ traditional minority groups em- whites will be 44 percent of the minority groups. Tufts created braces customers and also its own U.S. population by 2060.) marketing materials in Spanish JUAN LOPERA, employees. Lopera said the Tufts “Ethnic minorities are grow- and made sure that primary-care Health Plan staff is 69 percent Tufts Health Plan vice ing in double digits,” Lopera said. doctors favored by Hispanics were women and 32 percent people president for business “This is an opportunity to tailor brought into the Tufts network. In “from diverse communities.” The our products to them.” Lopera a year, the number of Medicare-el- diversity company runs the Operations Up!