Excerpts from the Governor's Media Release on February 16, 2011
Governor Lincoln D. Chafee Announces Ten Appointments to Board of
Governors for Higher Education
Providence, RI – Governor
Lincoln D. Chafee today announced ten appointments to the Board of Governors
for Higher Education. The Board will be Chaired by Lorne A. Adrain, a
Providence financial executive, philanthropist, and community leader.
“These
appointments represent an opportunity to bring to the Board of Governors fresh
new thinking and energy to confront the challenges higher education faces in
these difficult economic times,” Governor Chafee said. “These individuals
represent a wide spectrum of backgrounds and a diversity of perspectives,
opinions, and talents. But what they share is a commitment to higher education
in the State of Rhode Island – and all of them are determined, as I am, to see
our public colleges and universities become national models of success.”
“Over
the last several years, funding for Rhode Island’s public institutions of higher
education has not only lagged behind other states, but has actually been reduced
dramatically,” Governor Chafee continued. “Given this cycle, a dynamic approach
is needed, and I have full faith that, under Lorne’s thoughtful leadership,
these new appointees will support me in my efforts to develop the strategies
and programs necessary to bring significant improvement to our higher education
system.”
In
addition to Chairman Lorne Adrain, the other appointees are: Joan C. Abrams;
Dr. Antonio Barajas; Amy Beretta; William C. Maaia; Eva-Marie Mancuso; Jane B. Sherman;
Michael M. Tikoian; John A. Walsh; and Joseph B. White. Thomas Rockett, whose
term expires in 2012, will remain on the Board.
William C.
Maaia, Esq.
William
C. Maaia is an attorney in general practice with William C. Maaia &
Associates, the firm he founded.
Maaia
earned a BA from Providence College and his JD from Suffolk University School
of Law, in addition to Collective Bargaining certification from Rutgers
University and Negotiations training from Harvard Law School.
Maaia’s
first employment after law school was with the Rhode Island Department of
Education (RIDE). During his time with RIDE, Maaia served as a labor relations
officer, which included work with the Board of Regents, and was project manager
for a collaborative of six states that developed comprehensive manuals on fact-finding,
mediation, and arbitration in public education. Maaia also served for twelve
years on the East Providence School Committee, four as Chairman, during which
time he organized the “Blue Print Task Force,” which produced a report – at no
cost to the city – identifying significant educational issues.
Maaia
has also served as Special Legal Counsel to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission;
Legal Counsel to Municipal Water Supply Board; Legal Counsel to Full Channel
TV, Inc.; Special Assistant Attorney General for Rhode Island; Special
Contracted Legal Counsel to three Rhode Island Attorneys General; Special
Lecturer, Community College of Rhode Island; Special Instructor, Providence
College; and Instructor of English, Bristol Community College.
Maaia
is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, the U.S. District Court, the
Rhode Island Trial Lawyers’ Association, the American Arbitration Association,
and the Art Clubs of Westport, Massachusetts, and Providence, respectively.
