STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
DIVISION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS
89 JEFFERSON BOULEVARD
WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND 02888
| In Re: | ____________________________________________ Global Syndicate Solutions, LLC 240 Massachusetts Avenue Providence, RI 02905 Application For Authority to Operate as a NEMT Provider Within the State of Rhode Island Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-3 ____________________________________________ |
Docket No. 26-MC-05
Hearing Officer: Leo J. Wold, Esq.
Hearing Held: February 2, 2026
Appearances: Global Syndicate Solutions, LLC, Applicant
Hakeem O. Kushimo, Member
On January 16, 2026, Global Syndicate Solutions, LLC, 240 Massachusetts Avenue, Providence, RI 02905 (“Applicant”) filed an application with the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (“Division”) seeking a certificate of operating authority to operate as a non-emergency medical transportation (“NEMT”) provider within the State of Rhode Island. A duly noticed hearing on the application was held on February 2, 2026.
The Division has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-2.
For the Division to grant an applicant a certificate of operating authority as a common carrier to operate as a NEMT provider within the State of Rhode Island, the applicant must register with the Rhode Island Secretary of State as a for-profit corporation and remain in good standing with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. Additionally, R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-3 provides that to obtain a certificate of operating authority to operate as a NEMT provider within the State of Rhode Island, an applicant must show that it is fit, willing and able to provide the proposed services.
At the hearing on February 2, 2026, the Applicant’s member, Mr. Hakeem O. Kushimo (“Mr. Kushimo”) appeared before the Division to testify in support of the application. No motions were filed by any person or business seeking status as either an Intervenor or a Protestor, and no one appeared at the hearing to oppose the application.
1. The Applicant is organized under the laws of the State of Rhode Island and currently is registered and in good standing with the Secretary of State.[1]
2. Mr. Kushimo is a citizen of the United States.[2]
3. Mr. Kushimo reaffirmed at hearing that he has not been charged with any criminal offenses, either state or federal.
4. Mr. Kushimo reaffirmed at hearing that he has not been charged with any traffic violations within the last six years.
5. The BCI records returned from the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office reflect that Mr. Kushimo does not have any Rhode Island criminal convictions at this time.
6. Mr. Kushimo testified that he graduated from Johnson and Wales in 2022 with a degree in graphics design. After graduation he worked for two years as a Community Healthcare Worker (“CHW”) at the Community Healthcare Network, undertaking backend work, such peer counselling, routing and dispatching. Mr. Kushimo has also worked at the State House and as a freelance graphics design subcontractor in the Boston area.
7. Mr. Kushimo, however, desired more consistency in his employment than these opportunities afforded him. Thus, he decided to establish his own NEMT business.
8. Mr. Kushimo has some previous experience working with the elderly, disabled and special needs individuals, having assisted in their care when he was employed as a CHW.
9. The Applicant appears to own sufficient assets to provide the proposed services.[3]
Based on the Record, the Applicant has met its burden of proof in showing that it is both registered and in good standing with the Rhode Island Secretary of State, and is fit, willing and able to provide the proposed services. The Division, therefore, finds that the Applicant is eligible and authorized to be issued a certificate of operating authority as an NEMT provider within the State of Rhode Island pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-3.
Accordingly, it is
(25610) ORDERED:
1. The application of the Applicant, seeking authority to operate as an NEMT provider within the State of Rhode Island, is hereby approved.
2. Within one-hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the effective date of this Report and Order, and before commencing operations within the State of Rhode Island, the Applicant must accomplish the following:
a. The Applicant must hand-deliver to the Division proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance) that conforms to the minimum insurance requirements set forth in § 39-14.3-7 of the Rhode Island General Laws; and
b. The Applicant must register the vehicle(s) it intends to operate under its NEMT Certificate of Operating Authority with the Motor Carrier Section of the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers. Each vehicle must be appropriately marked in accordance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-6.
3. The Applicant is responsible for ensuring that all its drivers obtain a valid “Blue Card” (Hackney Operator’s Permit) from the Motor Carrier Section of the Division.
4. The Applicant must comply with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-5, which confers upon the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles jurisdiction over the lighting, equipment, safety, and sanitary conditions of all NEMT providers. An inspection by the Division of Motor Vehicles is required before these vehicles may be operated within Rhode Island.
5. If the terms and conditions outlined in paragraphs 2(a) and 2(b), above, are not met within the prescribed one-hundred and eighty (180) days, the approval granted herein will be of no further force and effect.
DATED AND EFFECTIVE AT WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND, FEBRUARY 23, 2026.
| Leo J. Wold, Esq. Chief of Legal Services Hearing Officer |
I have read the Hearing Officer’s Decision and Order in this matter, and I hereby adopt the Decision and Order.
_____________________
Linda George, Esq.
Administrator
(PROVIDED PURSUANT TO R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-12)
Please be advised that if you are aggrieved by this final decision (report and order) of the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (“Division”) you may seek judicial review of the Division’s final decision by filing an appeal with the Rhode Island Superior Court. You have thirty (30) days from the mailing date (or hand delivery date) of the Division’s final decision to file your appeal. The procedures for filing the appeal are set forth in Rhode Island General Laws, Section 42-35-15.
Proceedings for review may be instituted by filing a complaint in the Superior Court of Providence or Kent Counties. Copies of the complaint must be served upon the Division and all other parties of record in your case. You must serve copies of the complaint within ten (10) days after your complaint is filed with the Superior Court.
Please be advised that the filing of a complaint (appeal) with the Superior Court does not itself stay enforcement of the Division’s final decision. You may, however, seek a stay from the Division and/or from the Court.
The judicial review shall be conducted by the Superior Court without a jury and shall be confined to the record. The Court, upon request, shall hear oral argument and receive written briefs.