Rhode Island Commodore

"[2][3][4] The honorary title of Rhode Island Commodore was established in 1968 by then governor John H. Chafee.

[4] The Governor of Rhode Island, currently Daniel McKee, serves as commander-in-chief of the Commodores, and the organization led by its admiral, currently Jonathan Duffy, and its board of directors.

[4] Activities of the Commodores in support of economic development have included participation in efforts to bring new businesses into the state,[9] the co-sponsorship of a statewide business plan competition, and efforts to bring the America's Cup races back to Newport.

[7] Rhode Island Commodores was a prime proponent of the 1984 Greenhouse Compact, a proposed state industrial policy developed primarily by Ira Magaziner to transition the state away from traditional manufacturing industries toward an innovative high technology economy.

When the measure was submitted to the voters in a special referendum held 12 June 1984, the proposal was defeated 121,079 to 29,998.