Tim Scanlon (1948-2023)

A tribute to his nine-year tenure of leadership and achievement.

The past nine years have been a period of outstanding progress for heavy and highway construction in Rhode Island. During that time, our organization benefited greatly from the in-depth knowledge and astute leadership of Tim Scanlon as our Executive Director.

CIRI played a major role in helping to champion the landmark RhodeWorks legislation in 2016, which paved the way for an unprecedented source of dependable funding for the projects our members undertake. In the face of the pandemic and other shifting conditions, we also took a number of crucial initiatives to a new level including education and safety programs, the advocacy efforts of the CIRI PAC, recruitment outreach, bond referendum campaigns to gain voter approval, and a dynamic corporate rebranding.

Building a notable career through service and excellence.

Honorably volunteering to serve his country, Tim Scanlon was a US Army veteran who conducted over 50 missions during the Vietnam War. Upon graduating magna cum laude from Bryant College, he began his professional career as a CPA at Price Waterhouse. Tim later served as Director of Finance for the City of Warwick; Vice President, Controller of Gilbane Building Company; and Executive Director of Tillinghast Licht, LLP for nearly 20 years.

The path that led Tim to CIRI.

Tim’s initial involvement for CIRI was as a resource for Government Strategies, Inc. — a registered political lobbying firm that has continuously served our organization for several decades. Tim transitioned to the role of CIRI Executive Director in mid-2014 upon the passing of Henry J. Sherlock, who had held that position for 37 years since our founding in 1975.

“Henry was certainly a tough act to follow,” says Mike D’Ambra, CIRI president, “and Tim was more than up to the task from day one. He already had decades of advocacy experience on our behalf under his belt. Tim had an incredibly sharp mind, great insight and superior managerial skills. CIRI was very fortunate to have Tim in our corner during a period when our industry was transforming itself in so many ways.”

All of us at CIRI offer our sincere and deepest condolences to Tim Scanlon’s loving family, along with the numerous people in his circle of friends and associates. His energy and guidance made a genuine difference in our organization: an impact that will reverberate for years to come.

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