Can you tell us about your career journey?

I started out in law enforcement and spent 26 years in a municipal police department, working my way through different ranks and positions, including being on the SWAT team and in charge of the narcotics and organized crime unit. While working, I went to law school, and after I passed the bar exam in Rhode Island, I was about to retire when the police chief retired, and I was promoted to the deputy chief’s position. Just as I was set to retire again, the new police chief retired, so I was promoted again and ended my career as the police chief.

After I passed the bar exam, my mentor, a former police chief and the administrator of the Rhode Island DMV, appointed me as the chairman of the Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Dealers Hearing Board. I served in that position for 16 years. When I finally retired from the police department, I practiced law for eight years and eventually transitioned into academia, where I served as an associate professor of criminal justice before becoming the administrator of the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles.

What has your involvement with AAMVA been like?

Many people think of DMVs as just licenses and registrations, but within the first week of working there, it was eye-opening to see how complex DMV operations are. I asked the senior staff that I worked with, “What can I do, besides learning from you, to get up to speed and to be more effective in my position?” They all said to look into AAMVA and get involved with the organization. So I jumped in with both feet, and it’s probably one of the best moves I’ve made because the experiences you get at the conferences or interacting with your contemporaries are second to none.

We’re all faced with the same problems. Whether it’s a small state like Rhode Island or a larger state like California or Texas, we still have similar problems. It’s just on different scales; a problem that we might be having, somebody else may have already come up with a great solution that you could try and see if it works in your own jurisdiction.

What’s your leadership style like?

My style is very participatory. Ultimately, as the police chief or the administrator for an agency, you have to make the final decision, but I want as much information as possible from everybody who is involved. I always try to get the information from people who are actually doing the job on a daily basis. Then, when you do make a final decision, it is usually easier to get buy-in from staff because they’ve had some say in it or feel like they’ve been heard.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Becoming police chief was very, very exciting and thrilling. I was with one of my best friends for a coffee this past weekend. We were reminiscing and remembered when we were both patrolmen and would sit and wonder, “Where do you think you’ll be at the end of your career?” His goal was to retire as a detective sergeant, and mine was to retire as a lieutenant. As it turned out, we far exceeded our goals as two young officers. We both retired as the chief of police. He replaced me when I retired.

To be named administrator for the DMV was also thrilling. As we all know, DMVs get a bad reputation—that we’re the worst agency in state government and are the punch line for many jokes. One of my goals was to change that perception. Team members at DMVs work hard, and the public often doesn’t understand the complexities the staff face every day. But, when I was at a Senate finance committee hearing recently for a budget presentation, the Senate Finance Chair made the comment that one of his constituents said, “Why can’t other state agencies run like a DMV?” That was probably one of the nicest compliments I’ve received. It shows that our hard work is being noticed.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to read, usually fiction—authors like James Patterson, David Baldacci, Robert Ludlum or Tom Clancy. I’m a football fan, and naturally, a fan of the New England Patriots.

I enjoy golf, although I definitely will not be on the PGA Tour anytime soon. But it’s a way to get out with friends, get a little fresh air and enjoy some camaraderie outside of your business environment.

I enjoy traveling with my wife. Italy and Greece are our favorite destinations. We also spend a lot of time with our two grandnieces. My project with them this summer is teaching the 16-year-old to drive and the 3-year-old to swim.