Ronald M. Wolanski, director of planning and economic development for the Town of Middletown, received the Robert M. Goodrich Distinguished Public Service Award on Monday during the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council’s 49th annual meeting.
The award recognizes outstanding local government employees.
“Ron has been a vital resource and trusted leader for Middletown for 23 years, guiding the town’s growth and working collaboratively with the community,” said Michael DiBiase, RIPEC president and CEO.
Wolanski was among two public servants honored at the Nov. 3 event at an undisclosed Providence location. Maureen E. Ewing, director of business services at the Rhode Island Department of State, received the Gary S. Sasse Distinguished Public Service Award for exceptional state employees.
The evening also featured a panel discussion on Rhode Island’s economic outlook, moderated by Nancy Lavin, senior reporter at the Rhode Island Current.
Panelists included Dwain Carryl, managing director and senior portfolio manager at Bank of America; Edinaldo Tebaldi, professor of economics and vice president for strategy and institutional effectiveness at Bryant University; and Jeffrey Thompson, vice president and economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
RIPEC premiered a video highlighting its more than 90 years as an independent voice for responsible government, including recent policy impacts such as eliminating the tangible tax for small businesses and promoting more equitable school funding.
“As Rhode Island stands at a fiscal crossroads, RIPEC’s work as the voice of the taxpayer has never been more important,” DiBiase said.