2022 -- S 2682

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LC005389

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING STEVEN J. ARTHURS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

     Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

     Date Introduced: March 15, 2022

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, On April 1, 2022, Steven J. Arthurs, President and Chief Executive Officer

of The Rhode Island Food Dealers Association (RIFDA) will retire after almost forty-eight years

in the grocery industry; and

     WHEREAS, In preparation for what would become an admired and lifelong career, Mr.

Arthurs attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, finance and management from Rhode

Island College. He later continued his education, earning a marketing, management and business

law degree from the University of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, In 1974, Mr. Arthurs began his distinguished career at Almacs Supermarket.

Over the next two decades, he held myriad management positions in store operations,

procurement, merchandising, marketing and senior management; and

     WHEREAS, In 1993, a few years before Almacs closed its doors, Mr. Arthurs began

working for Millbrook Distribution Services, the largest distributor of specialty, ethnic, and

natural food. Over the next nine years, he held a variety of positions in purchasing and

merchandising; and

     WHEREAS, In 2002, Mr. Arthurs was named Senior Vice President and Chief Operating

Officer at World Harbors, Inc., a Maine-based specialty food company that develops, produces,

and markets a number of condiments. A short year later, he was named President and Chief

Executive Officer; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Arthurs returned to Rhode Island in 2009 and joined RIFDA, where he

has served as President and Chief Executive Officer for more than thirteen years. In addition, he

has been a member of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council and the Rhode Island Business

Alliance; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished career, Steven Arthurs has demonstrated that

no amount of effort is too great to put forth in accomplishing his goals. He has provided an

immeasurable benefit to the members of The Rhode Island Food Dealers Association and to all

who have had the good fortune to work by his side; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby honors and thanks

Steven Arthurs on the occasion of his retirement after more than thirteen years of dedicated

service as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Rhode Island Food Dealers Association.

We furthermore wish him good health, fulfillment, and a long and happy retirement; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Steven J. Arthurs.

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LC005389

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