RIEDC Announces Paul Harden as Executive Director of America’s Cup Rhode Island 2012
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September 15, 2011 | Print this page | Share This |
Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) Executive Director Keith Stokes today announced that he has named Paul C. Harden as Executive Director of the America’s Cup Rhode Island 2012.
Harden will oversee the state’s planning for the America’s Cup World Series event to take place in Newport on June 23 – July 1, 2012. The nine-day event will be based at Fort Adams State Park and will be the final stop of the 2011-2012 AC World Series which promises to be a dramatic finish to the first season of the new AC45 professional circuit.
“Given Newport’s and Rhode Island’s strong historical ties to the America’s Cup, I am pleased that a Newporter and someone deeply familiar with our state’s sailing community and marine trades will be taking the lead on this exciting event,” Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said. “I am confident that Paul will successfully manage this tremendous opportunity to showcase Rhode Island to the world.”
“Through his tireless work and extensive expertise at the RIEDC, Paul was instrumental in helping to lead an interagency effort to secure the 2012 AC World Series event in Rhode Island. His passion for the sport of sailing, leadership skills and strong experience in economic development and the marine trades will be of tremendous value as Rhode Island prepares to host one of the top sporting events in the world,” said Stokes.
“It is a privilege to continue to work with all of our public and private partners to ensure that Rhode Island hosts the most successful America’s Cup World Series event yet. This will be an opportunity to showcase our state on an international stage and build on the Cup’s rich history here to accelerate the global appeal of the sport of sailing and, most importantly, bolster our local economy,” Harden said.
“I can think of no better steward to lead the America’s Cup World Series than Paul, his expertise within the Rhode Island marine industry is unparalleled. The Chamber looks forward to working together to maximize this tremendous economic development opportunity for Newport and Rhode Island,” said Jody Sullivan, Executive Director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce.
“The entire marine industry and community is delighted with the appointment of Paul Harden as Executive Director of the America’s Cup Rhode Island 2012. He has worked for many years as an advocate for the industry. Mr. Harden knows how to get it done and will do an excellent job with the AC World Series event,” said Michael Keyworth, Rhode Island Marine Trades Association and Rhode Island State Yachting Committee.
Harden, a Newport resident and lifelong boater, has more than 18 years of experience at the RIEDC where he has developed workforce training programs and marketing efforts for the marine industry and supported real estate site development for Rhode Island’s marine trades. Harden serves on the Education and Training Committee of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, chairs the Strategic Development Committee of the Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island, is a member of International Yacht Restoration School’s Program advisory committee and serves on the board of Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services.
Harden is a graduate of Hobart College and earned an MBA from Boston University.