With the economic-development plan that he unveiled last week, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras has sent a message – it’s time to stop playing defense and move forward. Growth is the shot in the arm that cures deficits and starts self-sustaining, virtuous cycles. more

When the Rhode Island health-benefits exchange becomes operational on Oct. 1, companies with fewer than 50 employees will be able to use it to offer health insurance to their workers. But those with between 50 and 99 employees will not be able to do so. more

A man, on a beach vacation with his wife, is exasperated saying, “How can I relax? Everything’s going fine at work without me!” more

Jo-Ann Schofield, president and chief operating officer of the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership, was recently appointed to a national advisory panel for mentoring. As a member of The Mentoring Partnership Advisory Council, Schofield and her colleagues from around the nation will focus on topics in the areas of quality-based mentoring, resource development, public awareness, public policy and research. Schofield, who recently earned a certificate of nonprofit studies from Rhode Island College, describes herself as a lifelong learner. She has been mentoring a child for three years who is currently in fourth grade. more

James Sanzi has been named vice president of development at The Rhode Island Foundation. more

Lars Trodson has been named editor of The Block Island Times. more

Elizabeth Jackson has been named chief marketing officer at Summer Infant. more

Peter O’Neill has been named a commercial insurance account executive at Carey, Richmond & Viking, where he will be responsible for new commercial business development and commercial account relationships. more

Robert L. Bergeron Jr. has been promoted to assistant vice president in the corporate information systems department at Amica Mutual Insurance Co. more

Marianne Holmes has been appointed to The Providence Center’s board of trustees. more