Former Mayor Winthrop Appointed to State Labor Relations Board

Longtime City Councilor and former Newport Mayor Harry Winthrop has been appointed to the State Labor Relations Board by Governor Gina Raimondo.

“I’m honored to be nominated by Governor Raimondo to serve on the State Labor Relations Board,” said Winthrop. “I thank her for her confidence in me and I look forward to serving the citizens of Rhode Island as well as state and municipal employees.”

Winthrop will be the board’s local government representative. He is a retired executive with the Electric Boat division of General Dynamics where he served as the Director of Planning for the Design and Construction of Nuclear Submarines for the United States Navy.

Winthrop, who served five terms on the Newport City Council, was named along with Aronda Kirby and Tobias Lederberg to join the seven-member board.

The State Labor Relations Board is housed within the Department of Labor and Training. The Board is comprised of seven members who are appointed by the Governor to six year terms.

Aronda Kirby, the board’s public representative, is a Technology Consultant currently working in Data Privacy and financial risk initiatives. Prior to this, Kirby was the Systems Analyst of eReview Workflow at Fidelity Investments, and served in numerous positions in the technology development and business project management fields. Kirby is the General Manager of the Boston Blades Women’s Professional Hockey Team, a Board Member of Play It Forward Sports Foundation, a 2012 Women’s Fund of RI Policy Institute Fellow, and a Founding Partner of Digit Murphy Athletics. Kirby earned her BS from Rhode Island College.

Tobias Lederberg, Esq., the board’s management representative, is the Managing Partner of Lederberg & Blackman LLP. Prior to this, he served as a Partner in Corporate and Business Law at Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP and has two decades of experience in business and real estate law. Lederberg serves on the Board of Directors of Social Venture Partners of Rhode Island and was previously the Board’s Chairman. He is a mentor at Betaspring and President of both the Rhode Island Archaeological Society and the Harvard Club of Rhode Island. Lederberg received his AB from Harvard University and his JD from Boston University School of Law.

“When employees feel appreciated and valued, our entire state benefits. The Labor Relations board works to protect our workforce,” Raimondo said. “I am grateful that Aronda, Tobias and Harry have agreed to serve.”

“I would also like to thank the board’s outgoing members Elizabeth Dolan, Peder Schaefer and Bruce A. Wolpert. Their dedication and service is appreciated.”

“I am excited to represent the public of Rhode Island on this board and I will uphold the rights of the people of Rhode Island, state personnel and the law,” said Kirby. “I’m looking forward to joining the Board and I thank Governor Raimondo for this nomination.”

“My nomination the State Labor Relations Board by Governor Raimondo is a great privilege,” said Lederberg. “I’m grateful for the chance to serve the people of Rhode Island. Together, this board will support the impartial review of cases that come before us.”