By JON BAKER

It became official at 11:38 a.m., Wednesday.

By JON BAKER

It became official at 11:38 a.m., Wednesday.
That’s when Gary Sasse, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Revenue, announced Anthony J. Silva as the new Division of Motor Vehicles Associate Director.
Actually, Silva — a former Cumberland Police Chief and currently the state’s Municipal Police Training Academy director — discovered he had earned the post last Friday.
“That’s when I had my final interview with the governor; in fact, it was the last of six meetings with him,” an elated Silva offered Wednesday afternoon. “He told me what was expected of me and welcomed me aboard.
“Then again, when I was told (Wednesday) morning that it was for real, I didn’t believe it was true; I’m still pinching myself,” he laughed.
The man everyone knows as “Tony” will replace Charles “Ted” Dolan, a well-known Pawtucket native who officially retired Dec. 22.
“This is humbling,” said Silva, a 51-year-old husband (to high school sweetheart Linda) and dad. “It’s easy to use the cliché that I’ve got big shoes to fill, but that’s just what it is. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t say positive things about Teddy. In Blackstone Valley, and throughout the state, he’s an icon.
“When you think of the registry, you think of Ted Dolan,” he added. “He’s a very personable guy, easy to get along with, and a great manager of people. He made great strides in moving licensing to the AAA offices, and also provided the state’s residents the ability to register their vehicles online. It’s the way of the future, and Teddy saw that.”
Silva, still a Cumberland resident, said he will begin his new duties at the main DMV office (at Apex in Pawtucket) immediately, though on a part-time basis.
His first official day will come Feb. 25, as he still must wrap up his work at the academy.
He added that his salary will start at $89,000 per year, though the pay scale could eventually increase to $101,000.
“Is it a pay increase? The answer is no, but I’m not looking at salary,” he said. “This is a great challenge. That’s what it’s all about. They’re about to bring in state-of-the-art technology, and that will greatly enhance efficiency. Still, it will be a long-term process. It will take three to five years to be completely integrated.
“As for when we’ll move our operations, I don’t know, but it will happen sometime down the road,” he added.
When asked if Silva being a former police officer had anything to do with his selection, Sasse balked at the notion.
“We went through a process and interviewed four stellar finalists, and (Silva) was chosen because we felt he was the most qualified,” Sasse said. “It had everything to do with his background and experience. Of course, being involved in law enforcement didn’t hurt, but people with a lot of different abilities would be perfect for that job.
“Tony got it on his many merits,” he added.
According to Sasse, Silva will be responsible for the planning, direction and management of all motor vehicle functions, including registration, licensing, operation, enforcement, operator control and inspections.
“Anthony Silva has the background becessary to take charge of this division and coordinate all the diverse elements involved,” Sasse stated. “I am confident that his arrival will signal a smooth transition as the DMV moves from the Department of Administration to the Department of Revenue.”
After graduating from Cumberland High School in 1974, Silva attended then-Rhode Island Junior College, receiving an Associates’ degree in liberal arts in 1976. He then attained a Bachelor’s  in Criminal Justice from then-Bryant College in 1978.
He quickly landed a job as a Lincoln Police Department patrolman, and spent 18 years there, the last several as a sergeant, before becoming the Cumberland Police Chief on Feb. 9, 1997. Virtually nine years to the day later, he gained the directorship at the police training academy at CCRI in Lincoln.
“I would say my most significant accomplishment as chief was getting the police department nationally accredited,” he said. “That came in 2001, and it required a ton of work. It took over four years to do that complete review of the entire department, and it was a milestone for all of us.
“At that point, we were only the fourth department in Rhode Island to be accredited -- that is, nationally recognized,” he added. “I’ve always loved every facet of being a police officer and chief. Public service is in my blood. My dad (Anthony Silva Sr.) was a Cumberland School Committee member for 10 years, and my mom (Patricia) worked for the school department for 30. My sister, Suzanne (Tellier) has been a school teacher at Garvin Elementary for 30 years, too, while my brother (Philip) works for the state in information technology.
“When I took the job at the academy, I always had a love for training. I’ve been teaching here since 1983, and I still do. It’s kind of like coaching baseball, basketball and soccer, which I did at the Boys and Girls Club and in youth leagues for years.
“I’m very much looking forward to working with the newly appointed state director of revenue, and that’s Gary. He’s a class act, and he knows his stuff.”
Lincoln Deputy Police Chief Brian Sullivan has known Silva for years, and said he will fit in fine at the registry.
“He wore many hats when he worked here,” Sullivan offered. “He was a patrol supervisor, and worked at the firearms training range … He’s a well-rounded individual with a lot of knowledge. We as police deal with the registry all the time, and he -- with his law enforcement background -- knows the issues we face.
“This is great news; I’m very happy for Tony,” he continued. “I’m also a little sad because he did such a great job at the academy. I’ll miss seeing him there, but we know where he’s going, and it’s not too far.”