Ronald K. Machtley

Ronald Keith Machtley (born July 13, 1948) is an American politician, attorney, and academic administrator who served as a Republican Representative from Rhode Island in the United States Congress from 1989 to 1995 and later as president of Bryant University. He was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he attended public schools before pursuing a career in the military, law, public service, and higher education.

Machtley entered the United States Naval Academy and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970. Upon graduation, he served on active duty in the United States Navy from 1970 to 1975. After leaving active duty, he continued his military involvement in the United States Naval Reserve from 1975 to 1995, ultimately attaining the rank of commander. While transitioning from active military service, Machtley pursued legal studies, earning a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1978. He was admitted to the Rhode Island bar that same year, beginning a legal career that preceded his entry into electoral politics.

Building on his legal and military background, Machtley became involved in public affairs in Rhode Island and, as a member of the Republican Party, sought federal office in a state that was increasingly Democratic. In 1988, he ran for the United States House of Representatives from Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District. In a notable upset, he defeated 28-year incumbent Democrat Fernand St. Germain, securing a seat that had long been held by the opposing party. His victory marked a significant moment in Rhode Island politics and signaled his emergence as a prominent moderate Republican voice in the state.

Machtley served three terms in the United States House of Representatives, holding office from January 3, 1989, to January 3, 1995. During this period, he contributed to the legislative process and participated in the democratic governance of the nation at a time of substantial political and economic change, including the end of the Cold War and the early post–Cold War era. He represented the interests of his Rhode Island constituents and was regarded as a moderate Republican in the mold of Senator John Chafee, emphasizing pragmatic and centrist positions. His popularity was reflected in his 1992 reelection, when he won approximately 70 percent of the vote even as Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton carried Rhode Island by a wide margin. Machtley’s tenure is notable in the broader context of Rhode Island’s political history: as of 2023, he is the last Republican elected to the U.S. House from Rhode Island and one of only four Republicans to represent the state in Congress since 1941, the others being Senators John Chafee and Lincoln Chafee and Representative Claudine Schneider.

In 1994, Machtley chose not to seek reelection to the House and instead ran for Governor of Rhode Island. Entering the race as the heavy favorite in the Republican primary, he nonetheless was decisively defeated by Lincoln Almond, who went on to win the governorship in the general election. Following this gubernatorial bid, Machtley concluded his congressional service in January 1995, closing a six-year period in federal office that had made him a leading Republican figure in a predominantly Democratic state.

After leaving Congress, Machtley transitioned to a career in higher education administration. In 1996, he was named president of Bryant College in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Under his leadership, the institution underwent significant growth and transformation, culminating in its transition from Bryant College to Bryant University in 2004. Machtley oversaw several major building campaigns and campus expansions, positioning Bryant as a more comprehensive university with an expanded academic profile. His leadership extended beyond infrastructure to fundraising and institutional advancement, and he became a central figure in the university’s modern development.

Machtley’s long tenure at Bryant University lasted from 1996 to 2020. During this period, he was recognized for his contributions to academic leadership and student life. In 2005, he was awarded faculty membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society, at Bryant, reflecting his engagement with the academic community. His compensation as president drew public attention; in 2017 his salary was reported as $719,243, not including an additional $120,726 reported as other compensation from the institution and related organizations. A subsequent report by the Providence Business News indicated that he received a $6.2 million payment in 2017 as part of a retention package, believed to be one of the largest such payouts in the history of American higher education.

Machtley and his wife, Kati (often referred to as Katie), were also significant benefactors of the university. In February 2019, Ron and Katie Machtley made a personal gift of $1 million to help push Bryant’s “Expanding the World of Opportunity” campaign over the $100 million mark, underscoring their commitment to the institution’s future. In May 2019, he announced that he would retire as president of Bryant University in May 2020, bringing to a close nearly a quarter century at the helm of the institution. Outside of his professional roles, Machtley is known as an avid golfer, is a member of the Newport Country Club, and is a Rhode Island Commodore, reflecting his continued engagement in civic and social life within the state.