Jason C. Martiesian has been named a lobbyist at Robinson and Cole LLP, where he will be engaging in legislative and administrative lobbying on issues including health care, the environment, labor, energy and economic development. more

Emilio DiSpirito has been named a member of the sales team at Weichert Realtors – Cress and Co. more

Ronald LaPorte has been named vice president of business development at Corvias Group’s Corvias Campus Living. more

Robert R. Kent Jr. has been named senior vice president and commercial lending team leader at The Washington Trust Co. more

Frederick “Rick” Casavant IV has been named an attorney at Goodman, Shapiro & Lombardi. more

Paul Zinno has founded JP Diversified Asset Management and he will serve as president and CEO. Zinno has worked for UBS Financial Services, Bank of America Investment Services/Merrill Lynch, and most recently US Trust, Private Portfolio Services. more

Rubén Flores-Marzán has been named planning and urban development director in the city of Providence Department of Planning and Development, in which he will focus on the city’s medium- and long-range development strategies. more

Meghan O. Pike has been appointed to the board of directors of the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities. more

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a U.S. Department of Defense Office, has selected the Cranston Public Schools as a finalist for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. more

Steven A. Torres has been named partner of the infrastructure team at Pannone Lopes Devereaux & West LLC. Torres is former corporate counsel for the city of Fall River and city solicitor for the city of Taunton. more