Former R.I. police superintendent O’Donnell named CEO of Greater Providence YMCA

FORMER SUPERINTENDENT of the R.I. State Police Steven G. O’Donnell has been named the new CEO of the YMCA of Greater Providence.  / COURTESY R.I. STATE POLICE
FORMER SUPERINTENDENT of the R.I. State Police Steven G. O’Donnell has been named the new CEO of the YMCA of Greater Providence. / COURTESY R.I. STATE POLICE

PROVIDENCE – Steven G. O’Donnell recently retired as superintendent of the R.I. State Police and commissioner of the R.I. Department of Public Safety, but he isn’t resting on his laurels, having recently been appointed the new CEO of the YMCA of Greater Providence.
The YMCA made the announcement Friday. O’Donnell was selected by the YMCA board of directors following a nationwide search conducted by O’Neill Consulting Group of South Kingstown.
O’Donnell replaces interim CEO Henry Kates, a Providence lawyer who took over the position for former CEO Jim Berson after he left the post on April 29 after serving since September 2012.
“I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead the Greater Providence YMCA, which has been at the forefront of building and supporting strong families and strong communities in Rhode Island for more than 160 years,” O’Donnell said in a statement. “My entire career has been built on a foundation of community service and building bridges with people from all walks of life and all communities, and I look forward to helping advance and strengthen the mission of the YMCA of Greater Providence.”
O’Donnell comes well-equipped for the job. He served in a number of positions throughout his career in law enforcement, including 28 years with the state police, 18 months as a U.S. Marshall for Rhode Island, two years with the North Kingstown Police Department and one year with the R.I. Department of Corrections. During his tenure as superintendent, O’Donnell was responsible for more than 600 employees and an annual budget of more than $100 million.
O’Donnell also has a background in working with communities. He is credited with creating the “New Beginnings” community outreach initiative, in which RISP works with community groups in the Greater Providence/Pawtucket areas to establish a partnership between urban communities and law enforcement through education, sports and community service, according to the statement.
“Steve O’Donnell brings integrity, strong leadership and an unparalleled understanding of all communities in Rhode Island, and we are excited Steve has chosen to join us in the next stage of his remarkable career,” Gayle Corrigan, chairperson of the GPYMCA board of directors, said in the statement. “Steve is the right person to lead the Y as it seeks to re-establish its presence in Providence and grow membership. I am confident he will further the mission of the YMCA and maintain the unique place it holds in the fabric of Rhode Island.”
O’Donnell is a Providence native. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Haven and a master’s degree from Salve Regina University, where he also serves as an adjunct professor of graduate studies. O’Donnell is married, and the father of three children.
The YMCA of Greater Providence includes the following branches: Bayside, Cranston, the East Side, Kent County, Newman, South County and West Bay, as well as Camp Fuller and Providence YMCA Youth Services.

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