For someone who didn’t actually grow up in Bristol, Chris Vitale nonetheless boomeranged back.

Raised in New Hampshire, Vitale came to Bristol in 2011 as an undergraduate and, like so many RWU students, decided to stay after his 2015 graduation.

He took his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and worked in property management for a couple of years. He was transferred to Dallas, where he earned a Master’s in Strategic Communications, then was brought back to the area again, where he saw the listing for the post of Bristol’s Economic Development Coordinator. It was a job that actually had a good bit of crossover with what he was doing at the time: lease negotiations, contracts, constituent relations, and communications.

“The position has evolved over the years,” he said. “Originally it fell under Diane Williamson’s office in the Department of Community Development, managing the Home Repair Program.” Through that program, he had helped administer services such as roof and window replacements for lower-income families through Community Development Block Grant funds.

In the years since, he has has a hand in advocating for improved tourism opportunities, assisting and welcoming new local business owners, streamlining communication flow between local stakeholders, and bringing new events to town.

His new post? Assistant Town Manager in Leicester, Mass. The much-longer commute isn’t the only thing that will keep him away from his East Bay home (he and his wife, whom he met at RWU, live in Barrington.) “It’s really more than a full time job, more than 8 to 4,” he said. “You have to be available to pick up the phone, and be there if necessary, at all hours.”

Noting that Bristol is a little unique in electing a Town Administrator, he said that lots of communities appoint their Town Manager and offer a fixed contract. “I’d love to serve as a town manager eventually,” he said. “I think I could do good things in that role.”

He leaves Bristol the better for his efforts, and the impact is mutual.

“I loved working in Bristol, I have nothing but good things to say about my time working with Steve, and the Council,” he said. “I feel very fortunate to have had this opportunity.”