100-Year-Old Business Helps Fuel Rhode Island’s Growing Workforce, With URI Alums Among Its Ranks
What’s next after graduation? For many URI students, that’s the big question on their minds as their time on campus comes to an end.
Sitting along the coast in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, the Quonset Development Corporation celebrated its 15,000th employee hire this spring. The milestone included URI alum Owen Surette ’25, a graduate of the College of Business, prestigious Alfred J. Verrecchia Business Scholar, and employee of Quonset’s own Hayward Industries.
Hayward Industries, a pool and spa equipment manufacturer building industry-leading equipment, filters, and pumps for over 100 years—and a major employer of URI students and alumni. Plant Manager Pete Macedo ’99, M.B.A. ’25, currently has 18 URI alums on staff with a slate of URI students rotating through internships throughout the year.
“While we recruit and hire from a broad range of schools, backgrounds, and experiences, our partnership with URI has provided a strong local connection to talented individuals who are prepared to grow, contribute, and build careers in our organization.”
At URI’s College of Business and College of Engineering, there is no shortage of engagement opportunities. Annual career fairs, industry networking nights, and corporate experience days are examples of the experiential education the University advocates to build for its students. Hayward’s close proximity to URI’s Kingston campus allows them to be a frequent presence, getting involved and acquainted with the next generation of students who will become Rhody grads.
After more than a century in business, Hayward’s value-driven culture and supportive colleagues make it a place where URI alums and student interns feel connected, challenged, and inspired to build their future—a place to start and grow their careers.