Opinion/Gilbane: Almond left a legacy of steady leadership
By William J. Gilbane, Jr., retired Gilbane Inc. board member and former vice chairman of Gilbane Building Company.
Like many Rhode Islanders, I have spent some time since the passing of former Governor Lincoln Almond reading about his tremendous legacy. I am thankful to have known him and proud to have called him my governor. His humble, determined, and diplomatic style of leadership should serve as an example to our political leaders today.
I saw those leadership traits firsthand when he and his team convinced Fidelity Investments to choose Rhode Island in the mid-1990s. Gilbane Building Company was selected to build their new campus in Smithfield. The project encountered initial disagreements during negotiations, and after numerous discussions, the governor called the project stakeholders from varying backgrounds together. He began the meeting by reminding us how much we value our relationships and that we needed to approach the dialogue with respect, civility, and a focus on resolution.
Even with his directive, it was clear to me that achieving a consensus and concessions that were acceptable to everyone would be very difficult. The governor allowed everyone to finish airing their respective concerns before he spoke.
In the most poignant and powerful way, he reminded us of the project’s immense significance to Rhode Island: the creation of construction jobs, permanent jobs, increased tax revenue, and opportunities for the people of Rhode Island. Without grandstanding or posturing, he asked us very simply to consider what was in the best interest of our people, our families, and our state. He compelled and inspired us to think of the greater good. We left that room committed to working together and supporting Fidelity’s investment in Rhode Island — an investment that continues to make a difference to this day.
In my mind, Governor Almond’s legacy is one of prioritizing the greatest, long-term good to benefit Rhode Islanders. He reminded us that we need to put agendas aside and put the economic well-being of people first. His steady leadership in that moment — one moment among so many — helped bridge our differences to deliver positive outcomes for Rhode Island for generations to come.
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