Contact Information

Biography of Thomas E. Dwyer

Tom has served as President & Executive Director of The Trust since 1992. Prior to assuming his role with The Trust, Tom spent 16 years in local government, serving for 13 years as a Town Manager in two municipalities and 3 years as an Assistant Town Manager in a third community. He has also worked as a private consultant to local government. Early in his career, he covered local government as a newspaper reporter for a major Hartford, CT daily, and also worked as a Research Associate for a non-profit, business-funded government research organization.

While working as a Town Manager, Tom served in a volunteer capacity on the boards and committees of 3 other intergovernmental risk sharing pools – property/casualty pools in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and a health pool in Massachusetts. As a Town Manager in Connecticut in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, he helped in the formation of the Connecticut version of The Rhode Island Interlocal Risk Management Trust and chaired the Operation and Underwriting Committee of the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency for 8 years. He was also chairman of the Steering Committee of the Board of Directors for a Massachusetts intergovernmental health pool.

Tom currently sits on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities – Mutual Insurance Company (NLC-MIC), and chaired the Company’s Underwriting Committee for many years.

In total, Tom has nearly 40 years of direct experience with the problems and issues facing local government, with special expertise in pooled and self-funded arrangements for insurance.

He holds a Master Degree in Public Administration from the University of Hartford and an undergraduate degree in English from Boston College.

Biography of Ian C. Ridlon, Esq.

Ian joined The Trust in 2007 as the General Counsel & Director of Legal Services. Prior to his current position, Ian was in private practice and specialized in insurance defense work, commercial and environmental litigation, and labor and employment work. Although Ian worked at large firms with national practice groups, he made every effort to focus his practice in Rhode Island. He is admitted to all of the state courts in Rhode Island, as well as the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. He is also admitted to practice before the First Circuit Court of Appeals where he has argued cases involving municipal entities.

Biography of Heather A. Sheley

Heather joined The Trust as Chief Finance and Administrative Officer in 2011. She possesses nearly 20 years of progressively responsible financial and accounting skills and brings to The Trust excellent and well-rounded experience as well as a strong insurance accounting and financial management background. Prior to joining The Trust, Heather worked as Manager of Accounting and Budgeting fro Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. She also worked as the Accountant for the Town of Middletown. Heather holds a Masters Degree in Accounting from Salve University.

Biography of Danielle N. Kopf

Danielle Kopf joined The Trust as Finance Manager in 2013. She comes to The Trust with more than 10 years of accounting and auditing experience. Prior to her role with The Trust, Danielle worked at The Providence Mutual Fire Insurance Company most recently as Internal Auditor/Compliance Specialist and prior to that as Internal Auditor/Senior Accountant. She has also served as an Internal Auditor for Commerce Insurance and as a Senior Staff Accountant for a full service public accounting and consulting firm. Danielle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Assumption College and a Certified Financial Service Auditor (CFSA) certification.

Biography of Jean A. Violet

Jean has been The Trust’s Accountant since 2003. Prior to her current position, Jean worked for more than 20 years as an accountant in the non-profit industry. Jean graduated from Roger Williams University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and a Minor in Finance.

Biography of Marilyn Andreozzi

Marilyn joined The Trust in 2010 as Administrative & Financial Assistant and now serves as Financial Specialist. Prior to joining The Trust, Marilyn worked as an Office Manager for Allied Electrical Group and PRO Physical Therapy & Sportscare. Marilyn graduated from The Katharine Gibbs School as a Medical Executive Assistant and also holds an Associate Degree from Community College of Rhode Island.

Biography of Debby Maynard

Debby joined The Trust in 2002 as Executive Assistant to the President & Executive Director. Prior to her current position, she was employed for more than 15 years in various office management and administrative support capacities. Debby graduated from Community College of Rhode Island with an Associate of Science Degree in Office Administration.

Biography of Kendra Kopecky-Bowden

Kendra joined The Trust in 2012 as Office and Administrative Assistant, providing administrative support to The Trust's Finance and Employee Benefits Departments. Prior to joining The Trust, Kendra worked in a variety of administrative and customer service roles. She was also previously employed as an Educational Specialist for the East Providence School Department. Kendra holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Rhode Island College.