Ronald Machtley

Ronald Keith Machtley
7th President ofBryant University
In office 1996–2020
Preceded by	William E. Trueheart
Succeeded by	Ross Gittell
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromRhode Island's1stdistrict
In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by	Fernand St. Germain
Succeeded by	Patrick J. Kennedy
Personal details
Born	Ronald Keith Machtley (1948-07-13)July 13, 1948 Johnstown,Pennsylvania,U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Kati Machtley
Residence	Smithfield, Rhode Island
Education	United States Naval Academy(BS) Suffolk University(JD)
Occupation	Academic, Lawyer
Military service
Branch/service	United States Navy United States Naval Reserve
Years of service	1970–1975 (active) 1975–1995 (reserve)
Rank	Commander

Ronald Keith Machtley(born July 13, 1948) is an American politician and former president ofBryant University.Machtley served three terms as aRepublicanmember of theUnited States House of RepresentativesfromRhode Islandfrom 1989 to 1995. From 1996 to 2020, Machtley served as president ofBryant UniversityinSmithfield, Rhode Island,and was awarded faculty membership inOmicron Delta Kappathere in 2005.

Biography

Machtley was born inJohnstown, Pennsylvaniaand attended public schools. He received a B.S. from theUnited States Naval Academyin 1970, serving in the United States Navy from 1970 to 1975 and theUnited States Naval Reservefrom 1975 to 1995 becoming a commander. Machtley received aJuris DoctorfromSuffolk University Law Schoolin Boston, Massachusetts in 1978 and was admitted to theRhode Island barin the same year.

Congress

Machtley ran for Congress as aRepublicanin the 1st District and defeated 28-year incumbentDemocratFernand St. Germainin a considerable upset. He was reelected two more times and was very popular even as Rhode Island was trending more and more Democratic. In 1992, for instance, he was reelected with a staggering 70 percent of the vote even asBill Clintoneasily carried the state. He was a moderate Republican in the mold ofJohn Chafee.

Campaign for governor

Machtley gave up his seat to run forGovernor of Rhode Islandin1994.He was the heavy favorite in the Republican primary,but was soundly defeated byLincoln Almond,who went on to victory in November. As of 2023, he is the last Republican elected to the House from Rhode Island and one of only four Republicans to represent Rhode Island in Congress since 1941 (the others being senatorsJohn ChafeeandLincoln Chafeeand representativeClaudine Schneider).

University president

Machtley was named president of Bryant in 1996 and shepherded it through its transition to university status in 2004. His salary as of 2017 was reported as $719,243,not including an additional $120,726 reported under other compensation from the organization and related organizations. During his tenure, he led several major building campaigns.

In February 2019 Ron and Katie Machtley made a gift of $1 million to push the Expanding the World of Opportunity campaign over the $100 million mark. Shortly thereafter, the Providence Business News reported that Machtley was paid $6.2M in 2017 as part of a retention package. It is believed this is one of the largest such payouts in the history of American higher education.

Retirement

In May 2019 Machtley announced that he would be retiring as President of Bryant University in May 2020.

Machtley, an avid golfer, is a member ofNewport Country Club,and is aRhode Island Commodore.

External links

• United States Congress."Ronald Machtley (id: M000015)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• AppearancesonC-SPAN