May 18, 2008 Contact: Sue Baker
For Immediate Release 738-2000
Mallette receives prestigious award
at annual Assessing Officers conference
He’s the first Warwick official ever to receive the honor
WARWICK – Mayor Scott Avedisian today offered his congratulations to Acting Tax Assessor/Tax Collector Kenneth Mallette, Jr., who recently received the prestigious Sherry Vermilya Award during the Northeastern Regional Association of Assessing Officers’ annual conference.
The award is given “for outstanding service to the assessment profession,” and is named in honor and memory of Sherry Vermilya’s support of NRAAO’s principles and his “untiring efforts to assist Assessors throughout the entire country, and, in particular, the northeast,” according to the organization. Mallette is the first Warwick tax assessor ever to receive the honor. One individual from each state is nominated by his/her peers – in Mallette’s case, the Rhode Island Association of Assessing Officers – and winners are not notified until the annual meeting.
“Serving as both tax collector and the assessor is not an easy task, but Ken demonstrates time and again that he is more than up to the challenge,” Avedisian said. “It comes as no surprise to learn that his peers would have nominated him for this well-deserved honor.” Not only does Mallette capably administer both departments, Avedisian added, but by assuming both roles he has saved taxpayers money – an estimated $70,000 annually.
Mallette, whom Avedisian named Tax Collector in January 2002, served as Acting Tax Assessor from 2004-2005, when Avedisian permanently combined both positions. At the time, Avedisian said he ultimately decided to formally combine Mallette’s dual roles into one position, not only because operations between the two departments have run very efficiently under Mallette’s leadership but also because of the cost savings involved.
Mallette, a Warwick resident, began his career with the city in 1986 as an offset pressman, handling the printing needs for the city and assisting in the presentation of the annual budget. In 1993, he joined the Tax Assessor’s Division as a real estate appraiser, where he assisted in the 1997 reevaluation process, maintained values on properties and helped to cut costs by streamlining work systems. In March of 2001, Mallette joined the Tax Collector’s Department as a revenue coordinator, and that September was named Acting Tax Collector.
A graduate of Pilgrim High School, Mallette attended the Community College of Rhode Island and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business management, graduating magna cum laude, from Johnson and Wales University last year. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree. He is vice president of the Rhode Island Association of Assessing Officers and the chairman of the Rhode Island Legislative Committee. He is also the parish auditor for St. Francis of Assisi Parish.