I would like to place the following opinion article in your paper from a concerned Rhode Island resident on an upcoming day of week that receives strongest readership.

As an anonymous Rhode Island Airport Corporation RIAC employee, I am writing to make my fellow citizens aware of very alarming leadership behavior at my employer.  The welfare of human morale and humility is at stake here.  Since just late last year there have been many former employees who all resigned abruptly from their positions.  The majority of them held top leadership or supervisory roles for their departments and expressed grave concerns with the conduct demonstrated by the RIAC President and CEO.  Many of them and current employees have routinely and personally experienced erratic behavior resembling temper tantrums and bullying tactics in meetings with the President and CEO that brought feelings of intimidation and humiliation.  We have often asked ourselves how can this person make defamatory and unsubstantiated statements to us in front of our peers without any sense of empathy or consideration for our reputations.  They question our intelligence and self worth in front of peers when they do not agree rather than providing constructive and professional criticisms.  The behavior and treatment is so intense I have witnessed people walking out of the executive office with looks of defeat and nearly in tears on a weekly and sometimes daily basis.  Any constructive disagreement or debate the President and CEO openly invites is met with harsh and humiliating response laced with bullying.  The only break we get from this behavior occurs when this individual takes time off.

I request RIAC Human Resources conduct an investigation with direct oversight by RIAC Board of Directors and an independent body overseeing the process to prudently determine the extent of this conduct.  I have chosen to remain anonymous because I am deeply fearful of retribution from our RIAC President and CEO for speaking out.  There was also evidence of such retribution executed earlier this year towards the Airport Operations department leadership.

This letter should echo concerns provided to board members back in February from employee resignation letters.  This shows the behavior of our President and CEO has not improved or stopped since then.  I plead with RIAC Human Resources and the Board of Directors to act quickly.

Anonymous RIAC Employee