Meet the New AFF-New England Hub Leader, Larry Gillheeney

This week, AFF introduced our Regional Hubs, a new way for you to connect with other rising leaders in your community. We’re excited to introduce Larry Gillheeney, the leader of our New England Hub. Larry is a lifelong resident of Cranston, Rhode Island and helped launch the Rhode Island chapter of AFF in 2018. In his full-time capacity, he is the advocacy manager for the Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity. He holds an advanced degree in International Relations from Salve Regina University, where he focused extensively on economic development and individual rights. Larry also writes for the Ocean State Current, is Grand Knight of KoC council #4331, and sits on the board of St. Pius Young Adults. In his ample spare time, he enjoys swimming, hiking, and Clint Eastwood movies.

Get to know more about Larry!

1. What do you enjoy about your career path so far, and why?
I have the most important job in the whole world… I stand for the limitless potential of individuals in a hopeless, corrupt place. Rhode Island is overrun by a radical far-left agenda that forgets vibrant communities are built by real people. Everyday, I get to fight for liberty.

2. Why did you decide to pursue a career in the liberty movement?
Like a lot of people, my life was changed by a teacher who took the time to show me what I am capable of… I learned that everyone deserves freedom, and that we have a civic responsibility to encourage our society to be better.

3. How long have you been in Providence and what brought you there?
I grew up here. This is my place.

4. What has been your history with AFF?
Constant activity. We collaboratively built a place for people to come together to make friends, share ideas, and facilitate change.

5. What helpful skillsets do you hold that people could ask you for advice about?
Leadership. I love helping people to create inspired visions of the future, and developing teams to make them happen.

6. What are you most excited about in your new role of Hub Director?
Our generation is hungry for new ideas of freedom. I’m excited to bring the success that we have created here in Rhode Island to the northeast.

7. Book recommendations?

It’s 2075. You’re on the run from the warden of Luna; now a penal colony with no guards and no guarantees of tomorrow. Central planning by the Lunar Authority means there are shortages on everything, but the vodka cocktails. A free market revolution is rocketing its way into the future in the liberty-minded classic: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein— a must read.

8. Coffee order?
Hot. Black.

9. Favorite places to travel, OR places you would like to travel to.
My favorite places aren’t there yet. I want to go where people are ready to imagine communities that can make real change. The future is a big place, and I want to leave America happier, and freer than when I found it.

10. What is on your “Top 5 Favorite Things to Do In Providence” list?

1. Meeting new people
2. Bike rides
3. Whiskey
4. Restaurant Scene
5. AFF