URI alumnus Mark Mesrobian ‘89, a business owner, general manager and moderate Democrat Rhode Island State Senate candidate for District 36, thrives on balancing a packed schedule.
Mesrobian graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
If elected, Mesrobian’s goal is to make Rhode Island a place where people want to stay.
“I’m looking to create a Rhode Island people don’t want to leave,” Mesrobian said. “We have an exodus of people leaving the state. I have the experience that could make a difference for Rhode Island. I’ve been managing stuff since 1989, when I graduated from college, so I think I’m up for it.”
Mesrobian bought his home in Narragansett in 1998, where he still resides. In 2016, he launched Fifth & Ninth, a Rhode Island-based fashion and lifestyle brand. He is also the General Manager of the Bonnet Shores Beach Club, one of the largest private beach clubs in New England.
“I already have two full-time jobs,” Mesrobian said. “I have my business, which is still up and running. The general manager’s position here at Bonnet is a full-time job. Now, finding out the amount of work into running a local campaign, that’s also turned into a full-time job.”
Despite his already busy schedule, Mesrobian said taking on more responsibility motivates him.
“I do better when I have less free time because I love anything that has to do with business,” Mesrobian said. “You can learn and apply things that you’ve learned at the state level.”
Several state senate candidates are neither extreme left or right, but rather moderate, according to Mesrobian. They are business-minded and have an everyday focus on the issues that matter in Rhode Island, such as the economy, infrastructure and energy. Mesrobian views this shift toward the middle as normal and positive.
Mesrobian is running for office as a moderate Democrat focused on everyday issues, believing the state needs change that avoids far-right or far-left extremes.
“If people aren’t standing up and saying, ‘I’ve had enough, I don’t like the direction the state is going’, it’s never gonna change,” Mesrobian said. “We can keep accepting what we have, but not being happy with it, or we can step up and try to change it, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
With over 25 years of business experience, Mesrobian believes his background gives him a good understanding of financial management, though he acknowledges the pitfalls of comparing business practices to government.
“It’s difficult to try to equate a state government to a business,” Mesrobian said. “It’s much larger, and it’s not as clean. But at the same time, fundamentals are the fundamentals. Trying to apply business principles to the state budget is not perfect, but it’s better than what we’re currently doing.”
One of Mesrobian’s main concerns is the state’s budget growth since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Unfortunately, the budget since COVID has gone from a little over $9 billion in 2020 up to about $14 billion now,” Mesrobian said. “That’s a 40% increase in a very short period of time. You have to look at it and say, are you getting your money’s worth? Infrastructure is crumbling in Rhode Island, business opportunity isn’t as great.”
Mesrobian is passionate about higher education, especially at URI.
“I like to see anything that has to do with URI in a positive light,” Mesrobian said. “It’s been voted the number one public college in New England. I’d like to see it get more notoriety than that, because it brings research dollars and money back to the state.”
A special commission of the Rhode Island State Senate unanimously voted to recommend opening a medical school at URI on Jan. 27, according to the URI Board of Trustees. While Mesrobian likes the idea, he has concerns about its long-term impact.
“I just don’t necessarily think it’s the best use of money, and it’s not going to solve the healthcare issue that we have,” Mesrobian said. “The issue is low reimbursement rates. That’s why doctors are moving out of state; they get higher reimbursement rates for procedures if they go to Massachusetts or Connecticut.”
He also discussed issues regarding students who have graduated from URI but chose not to stay in Rhode Island.
“We graduated a great group of people from URI,” Mesrobian said. “They don’t stay in Rhode Island because they don’t see the opportunity to stay here long term. The jobs are in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York; the jobs are elsewhere. Why don’t we have better opportunity for people here?”
Mesrobian’s leadership experience makes him a strong candidate, according to his supporters.
“Mark knows how to run a business and is a great leader,” Bonnet Shores Beach Club Deputy Assistant General Manager Joshua Rondeau said. “Very knowledgeable and in touch with what people want and what people need.”
The Rhode Island state primary election will be held on Sept. 9 and the general election will take place on Nov. 3. To learn more about Mesrobian’s campaign, visit Mark4RI.com.
