Workforce Development a Key Focus of RIMA in 2023
SMITHFIELD, RI – The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association (RIMA) is hosting their fifth Annual Breakfast and Meeting. This year’s event will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick on Thursday June 8th, 2023. Speaking presentations will center around education and workforce team building from the perspective of Rhode Island’s manufacturers.
Each year, RIMA hosts the Annual Breakfast and Meeting to provide networking opportunities, review manufacturing accomplishments for the year and facilitate discussion on manufacturing trends. This annual event allows manufacturers to discuss their issues with other like-minded companies. This year’s event will not only connect Rhode Island’s manufacturers but will also feature presentations to address staffing and education concerns within the industry. In addition, manufacturers and businesses that support these companies will host showcase tables to promote their products and services.
This event will begin at 7:30 AM with networking and showcase exhibits, followed by breakfast at 8:30 AM, and a speaking program to follow. Speakers for the event will include Angélica Infante-Green, Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, and John Choate, Managing Director of SA-720TM and former SEAL Team member. Speaker biographies can be found below.
The cost for a single ticket is $70 for RIMA members and $85 for non-members. Tables are also available for purchase. For more information on the Rhode Island Manufacturers Annual Breakfast and Meeting and to purchase tickets, please go to
Speaker Biographies:
Angélica Infante-Green
Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green has served as the Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education since April 29, 2019. During her first year as Commissioner, she instituted several major efforts to improve K-12 education across the state, most notably leading a comprehensive review of the Providence Public School District. She is now leading the state intervention in the city schools to overcome decades of neglect and poor performance.
As a first-generation American, Commissioner Infante-Green sees her first day as a teacher as a life-changing moment, when she realized her personal calling. Having herself learned English in school, and as the parent of a child with special needs, she has fought to replace a “deficit” view with an “enrichment” view for students who need more. Indeed, having seen shortfalls in her own child’s special education, she founded the first autism bilingual inclusion special education program in the nation.
Since leaving the classroom, Commissioner Infante-Green has served in a variety of roles focused on improving instruction for all students, particularly for students learning English. Before assuming her current role, she served as the Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Education Department’s Office of Instructional Support P-12. She began work in New York State in 2013. Her portfolio included overseeing the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages; the Data Systems and Educational Technology Office; the Office of Assessment, Standards, and Curriculum; the Office of Special Education; and the Office of District and School Review.
John Choate
Managing Director of SA720-TM
John Choate is the Managing Director of SA-720TM Strategies, a consulting firm providing seminars on cross-functional teamwork and strategic planning based on principles derived from the U.S. Special Operations community and successfully employed in the corporate world.
He began his professional career as a naval officer in the SEAL teams. Following completion of training as the officer-in-charge of SEAL training class 218, he spent the next 12 years in both active and reserve billets deploying overseas in support of national security objectives.
In addition to receiving various personal awards for classified special operations, more significantly his operational teams have received numerous distinguished awards. These include three Navy Unit Commendation medals, two Meritorious Unit Commendation medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation personally awarded to his SEAL platoon. by the President of the United States.
– About RIMA –
The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association (RIMA) is a 501c(6) organization formed in 1997 to serve as the unified voice of Rhode Island’s manufacturers. As an advocate for strengthening and growing Rhode Island’s manufacturing sector, RIMA engages with government leaders, academic institutions and likeminded organizations to improve the business climate, connect manufacturers with available resources, and facilitate opportunities to create new jobs and business opportunities in the Ocean State.
For more information on RIMA, visit
www.rimanufacturers.com