From CEO Jack Padien
It is with mixed emotions that I announce that our Chief Operating Officer (COO), Kathy Hunt, is retiring in April of 2022. Kathy has been an incredible leader over the past three decades beginning with her first position with The Arc as a Program Coordinator in 1991. All of us have appreciated her steadfast commitment and role in creating programs and services that embrace equality, self-determination and independence for all of the individuals we support. In addition to handling the day to day operations of The Arc, she has been an active participant (and previous president) of the trade association, Community Provider Network of RI (CPNRI). She has been on top of the US Consent Decree and the numerous discussions and challenges at the State level regarding staff shortages, low wages, and a poorly funded system which has made implementation of the Consent Decree challenging. Kathy always led with grace and compassion and never lost sight of her commitment to do the very best for everyone involved with The Arc. On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and consumers, I extend our best wishes to Kathy in her retirement. We will miss her!