l-r: Sean Davies, Electric Boat; Rep. Patricia Sepe; Rep. Lou Raptakis; Karl Wadensten, Vibco; Matthew Topper,SAMI Welding Instructor; Senator Sheldon Whitethouse; Mayor Scott Avedisian; Kathy Partington, SAMI, Client Services Representative; Congressman David Cicilline; Congressman Jim Langevin; Steve Kitchin, NEIT, Vice President for Corporate Education and Training; Maria Rivera, SAMI Outreach Case Liaison; Senator Jack Reed; Todd Sposato, SAMI Project Assistant Machinist Trainer; Cynthia Toti, SAMI Program Case Manager; Lt. Governor Dan McKee; Catherine Cilcius, NEIT Administrative Assistant; Fred Santinello, Director of Workforce Grants and Programs; Amanda Handfield, SAMI Administrative Assistant; Michael Senerchia, SAMI Case Manager; Bob Palumbo, Project Coordinator.
The (SAMI) celebrated its second birthday on Friday, November 13, 2015, at the Post Road campus. The celebration included accolades from the members of the Rhode Island congressional delegation. They complimented NEIT and the SAMI faculty for their efforts in training 200 unemployed Rhode Islanders in just two years for careers in welding and advanced manufacturing. Special thanks to Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman James Langevin, and Congressman David Cicilline for their continued support of the SAMI program.
Also bringing greetings at the celebration were Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Daniel McKee and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, along with SAMI employers Sean Davies, Facilities Manager at General Dynamics/Electric Boat, and Karl Wadensten, President of VIBCO Vibrators.
Following the speaking program, guests enjoyed tours of the SAMI facilities, lunch, and of course, birthday cake. Congratulations to the SAMI faculty, staff, and students for making the SAMI program such a great success.