The Fort Adams Trust has announced that it has appointed new executive leadership and new board members.

David Martland, partner in Silva, Thomas, Martland and Offenberg counselors at law, will take over as president of the trust replacing Greg Hall whose time as president has reached its term.  Eric Offenberg, Director of Engineering for the Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority, will take over as vice president of the trust a position previously held by Martland.

I (Ryan Belmore, Owner/Editor of What’sUpNewp) was among the five new members appointed to this Board of Directors. I’m honored to have the opportunity and look forward to doing what I can to work with the Board of Directors to help move Fort Adams Trust in the right direction.

Other newly elected board members included Kevin Coristine, Laura Yalanis, Matt Hatfield and Kevin Stiles.

“Greg Hall has done an excellent job in elevating visibility for the Trust and increasing fort event attendance,” stated David Martland, president of the Fort Adams Trust.  “I look forward to continuing on Greg’s success as the Trust moves ahead on future endeavors with the assistance of our new board members.”

“Dave will do an excellent job as trust president,” commented Greg Hall, former Trust president. “Having worked closely with Dave when he was vice president he shares the vision the Trust has for the fort and is the perfect person to champion it as the Trust embarks on a new era.  I wish him great success,’ Hall further stated.

Martland’s and Offenberg’s terms will last through 2019.

About the Fort Adams Trust:
The Fort Adams Trust is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit responsible for preservation, programming, and promoting the National Historic Landmarks in Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. Over 100,000 people tour the Fort and attend events in the Park annually. The Trust accepts donations to support its preservation and programming missions.

Ryan Belmore

Ryan Belmore is the Owner and Publisher of What'sUpNewp.  He has been involved with What’sUpNewp since shortly after its launch in 2012, proudly leading it to be named Best Local News Blog in Rhode Island by Rhode Island Monthly readers in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and an honorable mention in the Common Good Awards in 2021.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Potter League For Animals. He previously served on the boards of Fort Adams Trust, Lucy's Hearth, and the Arts & Cultural Alliance for Newport County.

In 2020, he was named Member of the Year by LION and won the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County's Dominque Award.

He is a member of Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association.

Born and raised in Rhode Island, he spent 39 years living in Rhode Island before recently moving to Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife and two rescue dogs. He still considers Rhode Island home, and visits at least once a month.