Joseph A. Riccio, Jr. is the Port Director for the Port of Davisville/Quonset Development Corporation. Located within the Quonset Business Park, in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, the Port of Davisville is one of the leading importers of automobiles in the United States as well as a leader in seafood processing. In addition, the Port of Davisville and Quonset have and will continue to play a role in the development of the nascent Off Shore wind energy industry.
Riccio served as a Senior Economic Advisor to the Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce and Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. In this role, he managed and enhanced activities such as development of port facilities with emphasis on the off shore wind energy industry, site readiness, the Main Street Program, redevelopment of Downtown Pawtucket and McCoy Stadium and other economic development programs.
Professional Background
Riccio has more than 25 years in the real estate development field as an Asset Manager in Banking as well as leadership positions in the Economic, Municipal and Maritime development fields. Riccio spent 13 years as the Executive Director of the Bridgeport (CT) Port Authority and strategically obtained more than 45 million dollars in federal, state and private funds for economic development, maritime transportation and infrastructure. He served as the Chairman of the Connecticut Maritime Commission from 2009-2016. Riccio served as the Commissioner of Planning and Development for the City of West Haven, Connecticut. In this position, Riccio successfully managed the regulatory process and served as primary contact for the development and planned investment of over 250 million dollars. In addition, Riccio was responsible for initiation and completion of the City’s first Harbor Management Plan, a Transit Oriented Development plan and the Update of the Plan of Conservation of Development.
Education
Riccio earned his BA in Sociology from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT and his MA from the University of Bridgeport. His affiliations have included membership in the Connecticut Economic Development Association, American Association of Port Authorities (Board member and Maritime Economic Development Committee Chair), North Atlantic Ports Association and the International Propeller Club- Port of Narragansett Bay. In addition, Riccio served on the Boards of Directors of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, West Haven Chamber of Commerce and Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut.