The Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame today announced the selection of nine prominent Rhode Islanders for membership in the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.

According to board president and Woonsocket civic leader Albert Beauparlant, the Hall of Fame, consisting of illustrious Rhode Islanders from Roger Williams and the Chief Sachems of the Narragansett and the Wampanoag tribes to the present, was created in 1965 to honor “any individual who has brought credit to Rhode Island, brought Rhode Island into prominence, and contributed to the history and heritage of the state.” Such individuals, said Beauparlant, must have been born in Rhode Island, lived, studied, or worked in Rhode Island for a significant time, or made his or her reputation here.

This is Beauparlant’s first ceremony as president. He succeeds Dr. Patrick T. Conley, a 1995 Hall of Fame inductee and Rhode Island Historian Laureate who retired after 20 years as president. This year’s annual induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 6, at The Crowne Plaza Pavilion in Warwick. 

The masters of ceremony will be Patrice Wood of WJAR, TV 10, a 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, and Hall of Fame director Mike Lyons, a member of the Rhode Island Radio and TV Hall of Fame. 

The Inductee Class of 2023 (listed alphabetically) is as follows:   

Gail Cahalan-Conley

Real estate developer, business woman, patron of the arts, philanthropist, humanitarian, and advocate of Native American rights.

Steve Kass

Prominent national and local radio and TV commentator, animal rights activist, philanthropist, and director of Big Brothers of Rhode Island.

Robert “Rocky” Kempenaar

A leading developer of commercial real estate and hotel operations, civic leader, and long-time supporter of the programs of the U.S. Naval War College.

Barbara A. Papitto

Prominent business woman, accountant, philanthropist, and champion of communities of color through her multi-million-dollar Papitto Opportunity Connection.

J. Lynn Singleton

Highly successful manager for over four decades of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), called by Providence Business News “a driving force in the Rhode Island business community.”

Justice O. Rogeriee Thompson

Prominent Rhode Island attorney and Superior Court judge who rose to the high rank of Senior Justice of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Gene Valicenti

Prominent radio and TV personality at WJAR who has raised millions for charitable causes and earned many broadcasting awards for excellence.

Robert “Bob” Venturini

Legendary Rhode Island cable TV host for over thirty years, who is noted not only for his programming but also for his many charitable campaigns, especially his Toys for Tots Telethon.

James R. Winoker

Highly successful jewelry manufacturer, real estate developer, historical preservationist and philanthropist.

More information about the banquet and induction can be found online at: www.riheritagehalloffame.com.