Officers

Colonel Philip Rowell, Commanding Officer

Colonel Rowell, driven by an interest in local history and the Rangers, enlisted in 2010. Starting as a private, he has risen to the rank of Colonel and now serves as the Company’s Commanding Officer after a stint as Adjutant. While he works with the musket line, artillery and color guard he has a particular interest in helping to maintain our historic armory.

Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Gilbert, Executive Officer

Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert enlisted in 1988 as a musket man, was promoted to Corporal as Company Clerk and then to Sergeant. He was elected as Armory Security Officer, served as Colors Officer, Adjutant, Executive Officer and has returned to the Adjutant position. He had served as company clerk on and off (mostly on) since 1989. He has served all positions on the artillery and is qualified as a Gun Captain. He is also very involved with the encampments. Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert is a Life Member of the Company.

Lieutenant Adrian G. Beaulieu, Adjutant

Lt. Beaulieu enlisted in the Rangers in 2018 upon his retirement from Providence College and a 30-year career in international education.  As a member of the Color Guard, he enjoys marching in the various parades the Rangers participate in as well as the many special functions and events the Color Guard are invited to participate in around Rhode Island. He is curator of the Armory library collection that features over 500 volumes pertaining to all aspects of daily life during the Colonial era. An avid photographer, he posts many of the Rangers events on their Facebook site.

Major Denise Foggo, Finance Officer 

Major Foggo enlisted with the Pawtuxet Rangers in July 2002.  With her love for colonial history, and to fulfill a longtime desire, this educator decided to become an active member.  For many years she was in the Color Guard and also served as the Grant Coordinator.  Major Foggo was instrumental in securing the funds necessary to refurbish our Armory Hall building to authentic specifications.  She enjoys wearing the regimental colors but also numerous other outfits as well; and interacting with the public about customs and matters of the period.  In May 2021 she was elected as Finance Officer.  Other accomplishments include being named Rhode Island History Teacher of the Year in 2015-2016, a docent for the Rhode Island Historical Society and Governor Stephen Hopkins House, and her work nationally with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the National Geographic Society to name a few.

Captain Meg Archer, Colors Officer

Captain Archer has been with the Rangers since 2010. She has served as Colors Sergeant and recently was commissioned to Colors Officer. She grew up watching the Gaspee Days parade, which she hasn’t missed once in 23 years. Watching the Rangers lead the parade all of those years is what inspired her to join the group.

Major Ron Niksa, Armory Security Officer

Major Niksa is very interested in local history and to make sure newer and next generations remember this very important history. Major Niksa enlisted in 2015 and started as a private and has moved up to the rank of Maj0r and at this time serves as the Company’s Armory Security Officer. He also has duties in the Color Guard, which was his desire when he enlisted. Also he has interest in maintaining the Armory and to make it safe and secure.

Captain Rachel Sczurek, Supply Officer

Captain Sczurek enlisted in the Rangers in 2018 after seeing the group at the Gapsee Arts & Crafts Festival. She has served as Supply Sargent and is currently serving as Supply Officer. Rachel began playing the fife at a young age in Connecticut, and after relocating to Rhode Island in 2017, was hoping to find a group to play with.  Not only does she get a chance to play music, but she also serves on the cannon crew.  Rachel loves being a member of the Pawtuxet Rangers and enjoys running the Recruiting Booth each year. Being a member of the Rangers has given her the opportunity to meet great people and get involved in the community.

Lieutenant Colonel Linda Deming, Commanding Officer, Fife & Drum

Ltc Deming joined the Pawtuxet Rangers Fife and Drum Corps in 1972 as a fifer when the Gaspee Days Committee formed a fife and drum Corps and reactivated the Pawtuxet Rangers Charter. She has been an active member of the fife and drum corps since. Under her leadership the fife and drum corps has performed at Colonial Williamsburg and Old Sturbridge Village among numerous ceremonies, parades and musters. She enjoys helping to recruit new members and making music with her fellow musicians. Ltc Deming is a Life Member of the Company.

Major Larry Perez, Executive Officer, Fife & Drum

Major Perez enlisted with the Pawtuxet Rangers Fife & Drum Corps in 2003 after being encouraged to do so by his close friends/neighbors, also members of the Corps. Having relocated to RI in 1999, he was looking for a community organization to join. He had been to several Gaspee Days Parades, where he saw a Fife & Drum Corps for the first time. He was very excited to find the Rangers’ Fife & Drum Corps and be able to rekindle his love of playing an instrument. He was elected Executive Officer of the Corps when Major Deming took over as the Commanding Officer. He enjoys meeting weekly with the members of varying ages to play music and helping keep the history of our country alive.

Lieutenant Colonel John Currier, Liaison, USFAA

Lieutenant Colonel Currier enlisted as a private in 1993. He was elected Adjutant in 1994. While serving as Adjutant he also served at various times as Operations Officer and Artillery Officer. In 2003 he was appointed Education Officer. Ltc Currier was elected Executive Officer in 2004 and served as Acting Surgeon from 1995 – 2015. Ltc Currier is a Life Member of the Company.

Lieutenant Susan O’Hara, Liaison, Communications
Lieutenant O’Hara enlisted in the Rangers in 2012 at the urging of her three children, who were involved in the Fife & Drum and Color Guard. She learned to play the fife, and now enjoys the broad variety of events and community service the Rangers participate in. She loves the music, the history, and the people she gets to meet and work with. As a bonus, her husband had been a Ranger when he was young, and he reenlisted as a drummer. It has been a great family activity. She has served as Company Clerk,and is currently serving as Communications Officer.