Rhode Island Commodore, formally Commodore of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, is Rhode Island's highest honor, and an honorary title bestowed upon individuals by approval of the Governor of Rhode Island. It is not a military rank, requires no duties, and carries with it no pay or other compensation. However, the Rhode Island Commodores are organized as a non-profit, non-partisan organization with the purpose "to assist and stimulate economic enterprise within Rhode Island by direct action through education, economic promotion and hospitality."[1][2]
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The Rhode Island Commodores was established in 1968 by then governor John H. Chafee. Commissions as a Rhode Island Commodore have always been given to prominent citizens who are business or civic leaders in Rhode Island upon nomination by a commodore and appointment by the governor.[3] The Governor of Rhode Island, currently Lincoln Chafee, serves as commander-in-chief of the Commodores and the organization led by its admiral, currently Colin P. Kane and its board of directors. It is administered by the quasi-public Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, and its director, currently Keith W. Stokes, serves as vice admiral and as an ex-officio member of the board of directors.[3] As of 2011, there are about 260 Rhode Island Commodores.[3][4] Prominent speakers are often featured at meetings of the Commodores, but in 2011 the Rhode Island press criticized the organization for their long-held policy of excluding reporters from their privately-held meetings.[5]
The Rhode Island Commodores is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization that is devoted to a number of causes, including promoting economic development in Rhode Island, promoting Rhode Island products, conducting educational activities, promoting tourism and serving as goodwill ambassadors toward visitors to the state and while traveling out of the state. Activities of the Commodores in support of economic development have included participation in efforts to bring new businesses into the state,[6] the co-sponsorship of a statewide business plan competition, and efforts to bring the America's Cup races back to Newport[4]
Below is a partial list of notable Rhode Island Commodores: