Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Deputy Director William Chuck Alves will retire after almost 32 years of state service on Friday, June 11, 2010. He has been the longest serving Deputy Director in RIDOT’s history with almost eight years of service and the longest serving person in the Director’s Office with over 14 years.
“When I started here two years ago Chuck Alves was an invaluable asset to me,” said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis. “His passion, dedication, and breadth of knowledge of the Department and the State will be difficult to replace.”
Alves started his career at RIDOT in 1978 in the Planning Division as an engineering aide, and advancing through 15 positions that had him assisting with the development of the Transportation Improvement Program, the State Transportation Research Program, and doing statistical reporting with the Federal Highway Administration.
In 1989 he became RIDOT’s Chief of Communications, and in 1995 he became the Chief of Intermodal Planning. Overseeing Planning Alves was the chief negotiator of the interstate agreement with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority that now provides commuter rail service between Providence and Boston, the precursor to train service that will begin later this year in Warwick and next year in Wickford.
“Chuck has been a dedicated, loyal, and hard working employee for more than 30 years, and will be missed by many, myself included” said Governor Carcieri. “I wish him all the best on his retirement.”
Since 2002 as Deputy Director Alves has had a seat on the RI Turnpike and Bridge Authority Board as well as the RI Public Transit Authority Board. He spent 18 months overseeing RIDOT’s Maintenance Division where he followed the Fiscal Fitness guidelines implementing new programs resulting in a $6 million annual saving. Additionally he helped lead the Department through many crises such as the 2005 blizzard and the 2010 flood.
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Contact: Dana Alexander Nolfe 401-222-1362 x4450