Herb Weiss, the City of Pawtucket, RI Economic and Cultural Affairs Officer, oversees the efforts to transform and revitalize the historic mill town through the arts.

In the Department of Planning and Redevelopment, Mr. Weiss is responsible for economic development activities, the oversight of cultural and artistic programs, and fundraising for City festivals. In this role, he has brought significant recognition for ’s arts-oriented development strategy.

Mr. Weiss has been instrumental in development of the City’s Arts and Entertainment District as well as in bringing numerous artists, craftsmen, and cultural organizations and businesses to . He served as President of the of the Pawtucket Rotary Club, from 2005 to 2007.As an advocate for the City’s Pawtucket businesses, artists and arts groups he has been instrumental in securing donations from area businesses in support of the City’s most visible and important programs, including the annual Pawtucket Arts Festival.

In 2004, Mr. Weiss received the Pawtucket Foundation’s Person of the Year Award for his efforts to economically revitalize the City of . One year later, he received the All Children’s Theater’s Individual Award, for his significant contribution to assisting ACT in reaching its goals and objectives.

Mr. Weiss has also enjoyed a distinguished 36 year career in journalism, earning a national reputation as an expert on issues facing the aging, health are and medial fields. To date, over 600articles, he has written or co-written, have appeared in national, state, and local publications. He served as founding editor of Senior Living (later renamed Prime Time. Currently, his weekly commentary appears in two Rhode Island daily newspapers, the Pawtucket Times and Woonsocket Call.