Bios

Louise DINSMORE

E:   LouiseforChariho@gmail.com

Cell: (401) 480-1700

I am running for Chariho School Committee because I feel strongly that Chariho should set the standard for academic excellence in Rhode Island and can achieve that goal while simultaneously being fiscally responsible to the local taxpayers.  Having attended Chariho School Committee meetings for several years, I am well-versed, informed and knowledgeable about the budget process and current events.  I am a critical thinker, independent minded, and will make decisions that I feel are in the best interests of students, educators, staff, parents, the taxpayers and the community.

• 8-year Richmond resident

• B.A. in Political Science, Providence College; Minor in Public Administration

• Self-employed, professional non-profit fundraiser with 30 years’ experience

• Managed and executed successful Capital Campaigns raising millions of dollars for Wood River Health, Providence Public Library, Jonnycake Center for Hope, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island, Blackstone Valley Community Health Center, PACE Organization of Rhode Island, to name a few 

• Founder, Forgotten Taxpayers Political Action Committee whose mission is to give a voice to the taxpayers on issues related to the school budget and town budget (www.ForgottenTaxpayers.com) 

• Co-Founder/Board Member, Gabrielle Dinsmore Heart & Hope Fund.  The non-profit mission was to emotionally and financially support children and families in New England impacted by congenital heart defects (CHD’s).  Our organization supported hundreds of heart families and was operational from 2010 to 2017, where all assets were then transferred to the RI Foundation.  Two permanent endowed funds were established to benefit heart families and pediatric patients of Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, Yale New Haven Hospital and CT Children’s Medical Center

• Board Member, Chariho Rotary Club, 2023-present.  Lead the Club’s philanthropy in International Service.  The Rotary motto is “Service Above Self” and the Rotary supports scholarships for Chariho students and local non-profit organizations

• Member, Richmond Economic Development Commission in 2023   

• Chair, Richmond Republican Town Committee, managed 5 successful local campaigns for School Committee and Town Council in 2022

• Recognized by Transform RI PAC in 2023 with the Leadership Award for leading the Republican Town Committee to overwhelming success

• 2017 Providence Business News honoree for Women in Business

• 2014 Honoree by the National Organization of Italian-American Women for work with local non-profits and Gabrielle Dinsmore Heart & Hope Fund

• Served as a staff member for U.S. Congressman Ronald K. Machtley from 1989-1994, employed in both the RI and Washington, D.C. offices

• Married to Jeffrey Dinsmore, mother to Jovani (attended Richmond Elementary from K-3) and the late Gabrielle Dinsmore

• Objective, independent-minded, critical thinker. Prepared to make decisions fairly, equitably, and responsibly for all stakeholders

• Kidney donor in 6-person swap

Clay JOHNSON

E:   IfKidsHadAUnion@gmail.com

Cell: (401) 225-3105

I am running for Chariho School Committee because I know that we can do better. We will excel in academic performance when we compare ourselves to the best, not just our state peers. We will be a stronger district if we work together toward our shared American values rather than blindly adopt an untested and divisive state-imposed curriculum. We will be a united community when we share our lesson plans, respect feedback from the community, and craft budgets that are affordable for all of the people.

• Married to Gina Johnson for 29 years

• Father of two, one a CHARIHO graduate, one a homeschool graduate

• 26+ year resident of Richmond

• 1987 Graduate of South Kingstown high school

• 1991 Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from URI

• 2003 Masters in Business Administration

• Past Member, Chariho School Committee 2017-2020, 2023

• Past Chair, Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce

• Past Treasurer, Compass School Board

• Past Board Member, Contemporary Theater Co.

• Past Chair, The Gaspee Project

• Owner, The Goddard School for early childhood development