NEW: Former State Rep Ray Fogarty Passes Away
Friday, September 28, 2018
Ray Fogarty, a former Rhode Island State Representative and Director for the Chafee Center for International Business, RI Export Assistance Center, and World Trade Center RI at Bryant University, has passed away.
Prior to the creation of the Rhode Island Export Assistance Center (RIEAC) in 1988, Fogarty was Associate Director of Bryant College’s Small Business Development Center (1983-1988). Earlier, he was Assistant Controller at Bryant College (1979-1983).
Fogarty was a Bryant College graduate.
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As founder and director of the Rhode Island Export Assistance Center (RIEAC), Ray has shown his dedication to increasing exports for the state of Rhode Island. He directs all center operations, including strategic visioning, organizational goals, planning, budget management, and resource development of all RIEAC products and services, including the International Trade Data Network (ITDN), which is in every state in our country, international training, trade missions, and other export development programs. Ray has guided the export center to such a progressive level that it has become one of the most far-reaching and successful export assistance centers in the US.
Under his leadership, the Center has transformed itself from a local orientated service into a model private/public organization with international strategic partnerships and clients. The RIEAC is also the official state trade directorship for Rhode Island. In 2000 the Center received the top export development recognition in the country–the President’s E-Award.-
In addition to his work with the RIEAC, Ray founded the Council of State Governments’ Eastern Regional Conference Trade Taskforce. He also chaired the Quonset/ Davisville Reuse Committee, which successfully promoted the potential for the 3500-acre parcel as a unique and valuable inter-modal asset for the region. Ray is on the Board of Directors for the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Bell Atlantic regional and national advisory boards.
Ray served with distinction for 10 years as a RI State Representative. He was co-chair of the $1.2 million Harmony Hill School Capital Campaign and is currently a member of the Goals 2000 committee for the Fogarty Elementary School in Glocester RI. Ray also chairs the Small Business Loan Fund as well as co-chairs the Rhode Island Industrial Facilities Program for the State of Rhode Island. Ray also serves on numerous other local civic and youth athletic organizations in the area.
Ray received two of the most prestigious awards at Bryant College: “Alumnus of the Year” Award, chosen by alumni, and “Spirit Award”, chosen by his peers. In the spring of 1998, the Board of Governors of Beta Gamma Sigma gave Ray the Chapter Honoree Award.
