Office of the Director

Public Affairs

Dana Alexander Nolfe, Chief
401-222-1362

Public Affairs’ primary responsibility is to effectively keep the public informed about the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

As the Department’s spokesperson, the Communications Office responds accurately and rapidly to requests for information from the general public, legislature and the media, as well as generating a constant information flow via the media. The Office issued 106 press releases in 2004.

The Office coordinates special events that often include the Governor and the Congressional Delegation, prepares speeches, and handles the Department’s general and legislative correspondence.

This section designs and manages the Department’s Web site at www.dot.ri.gov, offering easy connections to traffic-related construction updates, links to local public transportation services, descriptions of current and future construction projects, the Department’s organization, news, and weather updates, as well as information on statewide programs and special events. Through the web site, visitors can also access live highway video images.

The Office also produces Interchange, a quarterly newsletter that highlights Department news and events and the accomplishments of its employees. The Department’s Annual Report is also published by this office.

Inter-Governmental Relations

Bernard Frezza, Jr.
401-222-2481, ext. 4004

The Legislative Liaison works with members of Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation, General Office holders, members of the General Assembly and City and Town Mayors, Administrators, Council members, School Committees, Fire and Police Chiefs to address their DOT requests, including field visits and meeting with constituents to address issues. The Liaison also works in conjunction with any and all departments within DOT to solve these problems. The Liaison attends every Legislative Session to lobby the Rhode Island General Assembly to promote/object to legislation on behalf of the Department of Transportation, testifies at Legislative Committee Hearings, and works to educate/promote/object to any Federal legislation or program which would affect the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

Represents DOT at work sessions with national transportation organizations, including the Coalition of Northeast Governors, Transportation Policy Committee(CONEG), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO), and the Standing Committee on Rail Transportation (SCORT). Also represent the Director of Transportation as his designee to the State Traffic Commission, Chairman of the Vehicle Value Commission, the East Providence Waterfront Special Development District Commission, and the Special House Commission to Study the Transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas.

Customer Service
401-222-2450

The Customer Service Office acts as a liaison for the Department of Transportation on both internal and external issues. The office assists in coordinating informational meetings on design, construction, and maintenance issues with city and town officials and council members, with senators and representatives through legislative affairs, and with local business organizations, community advocacy groups, and the general public.

The office publishes public notices, project mailings and updates. In addition, the office works with police departments, fire departments, residents, motorists, businesses, chambers of commerce and other associations, to lessen construction inconveniences and economic impacts. City and town officials as well as key individuals are updated as to a project's progress during construction through informational meetings, mailings, and web postings on both the city or town’s site and DOT’s web site.

Office of Quality Compliance & Review

Richard G. Fondi, Inspector General
401-222-6510, ext. 4637

In December 2008, RIDOT created the Office of Quality Compliance & Review (QC&R) by merging the Office of the Inspector General with the Finals Section. The new office, QC&R, assumed the responsibilities granted RIDOT under the Oversight Agreement for Federal–Aid Projects entered into by the two agencies, RIDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), dated August 30, 2006.
 
The new Unit (QC&R) is responsible to review and verify all financial payment documentation as well as other specified contractual submissions on ongoing construction projects. Closeouts, final inspections and project finalization also fall under the jurisdiction of the Unit. Additionally, where project oversight has been delegated to RIDOT, this Unit assesses accountability, performs reviews and interim field inspections of ongoing construction projects, and accompanies FHWA on field reviews of construction operations when appropriate and agreeable.  Also, non-federal oversight construction change orders require review and signature approval from this Unit.  Furthermore, this group performs internal audits of expenditures Department-wide as necessary and/or as requested or directed by RIDOT. Reports of Change (ROCS) are also reviewed within this Unit for compliance with state purchasing regulations and process reviews are conducted on those procedures established within various Departmental offices.

Executive Counsel

Lisa M. Martinelli , Esq.
401-222-2481

The Executive Counsel advises the Director on legal issues affecting the Department, oversees the Office of Legal Counsel, and manages outside legal counsel as appropriate. The Office of Legal Counsel represents the Department in litigation pertaining to state condemnation and land acquisition, construction claims, contract disputes, demands under the Public Works Arbitration, miscellaneous claims, employment actions, and tort litigation in conjunction with the Department of Attorney General. Attorneys work with all Department Divisions in developing, drafting, and reviewing contracts and agreements. The Office works with each Division in drafting legislation affecting the Department. Further, the Office of Legal Counsel is responsible for drafting Department regulations, reviewing federal regulations and other agency regulations as it pertains to the Department. Additionally, the Office coordinates the release of information under the Public Access to Records Act and is responsible for responding to subpoenas. All labor grievances, arbitrations and litigation are handled by Department attorneys, including participation in statewide negotiations of collective bargaining agreements.

DOA/Human Resources

Paul E. Pysz
Administrator
401-222-2572

The Office of Human Resources has overall responsibility for administering a comprehensive human resource management program.

Human Resouces

Human Resources Staff

The Office’s responsibilities are as follows:

• Providing technical assistance to Divisional Administrators ;
• Managing the personnel administration system;
• Managing labor relations contract administration;
• Assuring equal opportunity in program administration;
• Administering, organizing, and coordinating staff development and training activities;
• Coordinating management staff initiatives;
• Overseeing payroll, workers compensation, and fringe benefit programs.

The Office seeks to provide and support a quality internal work place environment for all employees.

Staff development needs are continuously assessed in order to maximize the utilization of available federal highway training funds, with a special emphasis being placed on professional enrichment, and workplace safety needs.

Department of Administration DoIT

Thomas Lewandowski
401-222-6935

RIDOT's Management and Information Systems staff was consolidated into the Department of Administration's Division of Information Technology in 2004 in an effort to better manage the state's information technology resources. The staff assigned to RIDOT headed by the Administrator, is responsible for oversight, coordination and development of all IT staff and resources. The DoIT staff assigned to RIDOT assist the department in meeting its goals effectively and efficiently by providing leadership in the application of information technology; and delivering secure, innovative, and reliable technology solutions in the most responsive and effective manner.

This section is responsible for all computer needs. This includes ordering and maintaining an inventory for everything related to computer hardware, software and related supplies for the entire Department. The unit also maintains the financial management system (FMS), and develops custom systems to meet the Department's needs. In addition, the unit maintains the Local Area Network (LAN), as well as the Wide Area Network (WAN) and the World Wide Web (WWW) servers. The Geographical Information System (GIS) is also managed by MIS, which is a computer based tool for mapping and integrating common database operations which produce a-unique-visualization-and-geographic-analysis-offered-by-maps.

 

Boards and Commissions

RIDOT's Director serves as a member of the following boards and commissions:

RI Turnpike & Bridge Authority (RIGL-24-12-2)
RI Public Transit Authority (RIGL 39-18-2)
State Traffic Commission (RIGL 31-13-1)
I-195 Redevelopment Board (RIGL 37-22-5)
Growth Planning Council (Executive Order 00-2)