Newsmaker: Newport's Giovanni Feroce Talks about Making Business Decisions

NEWPORT, RI—Newport's Giovanni Feroce will address the Executives Association of Rhode Island at its February 21 meeting. The luncheon is at noon at the Radisson Hotel in Warwick, the association said today.

Feroce was recently the subject of a story in the Providence Journal, which indicated he is "in deep financial trouble." He rebutted some of the newspaper's assertions. Since the story appeared, he listed "Wyndham," his Beacon Hill Road estate, for sale at $6.895 million.

He is chairman and chief executive officer of BENRUS. Feroce also is known for his public service, according to the press release, which described him as "a retired combat veteran, RI state senator and former commissioner of the RI State Lottery, where he increased revenue from $58 million to $456 million in just two years."

"The first thing any company owner needs to decide is what size company do they want," Feroce said when he accepted the speaking engagement. "Once you've answered that question, then you can move to critical thinking and decision making to meet that objective."

The association went on to say "leveraging his successful launch of Alex and Ani into an international brand with sales of several hundred million dollars, Feroce undertook the resurrection of BENRUS, and is "putting it on a path to becoming a billion dollar brand."

This meeting is open to the public with limited seating, and attendance by advanced registration. The event includes a buffet lunch, and is from noon to 1:30 p.m. More information, and registration by writing to nthomas@tapestrycommunications.com; 401-447-8182; www.RIExecs.com.