Lt. Gov. Dan McKee Announces Members Of Transition Team

Cranston RI

25 January, 2021

3:22 PM

Description

PROVIDENCE, RI — Lt. Gov. Dan McKee announced the first round of his transition team over the weekend. McKee said he plans to "bring a grassroots, community-oriented philosophy" to the state's executive office. "I believe state policies and programs should have the active input of our community leaders and citizens," McKee said. "I believe Rhode Islanders deserve a leader who will listen to and engage them, and I will reach out to all 39 of our cities and towns to ensure they are heard. Our citizens want results that flow from their values and priorities – my transition has been built around this idea." McKee went on to say that his transition team will encompass advisors from across the state, adding that all of the state's cities and towns will be represented. "I believe that every voice counts and that everyone can make a contribution to defeat COVID-19, reopen our economy, and get our children back in the classroom safely," McKee said. "I will value every single transition member's unique perspective and I look forward to working with them. Everyone involved in this transition knows the stakes are high, and we won't let Rhode Islanders down. The COVID-19 pandemic has closed schools, devastated small business, caused record unemployment, and created a significant budget shortfall. This team and my administration are ready to tackle those challenges from our first day in office. We all look forward to getting to work." The preliminary transition team members are listed below. More people are expected to join the team in the coming weeks. Initially, McKee's office mistakenly said that Dr. Ashish Jha would serve as a senior advisor. Instead, he will be a member of the COVID-19 Advisory Group. Transition Chairperson: Joseph Rodio, Jr. Transition Organizing Directors Paulette Hamilton, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Lt. Governor Anthony Silva, Chief of Staff, Office of the Lt. Governor Elizabeth Tanner, Director, RI Department of Business Regulation Transition Communications Team Brian Jencunas, VolunteerAndrea Palagi, Communications Director, Office of the Lt. Governor Michael Trainor, Volunteer Transition Staff Cheyenne Cazeault, Special Projects Manager, Office of the Lt. Governor Craig Dwyer, Senior Policy Advisory, Office of the Lt. Governor Rosa DeCastillo, Policy Analyst, Office of the Lt. Governor Tabatha Dube, Executive Secretary, Office of the Lt. Governor Senior AdvisorsRepresentative Mia Ackerman, Deputy Majority WhipLincoln Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond Rev. Dr. Chris Abhulime, King's Tabernacle ChurchFormer Lieutenant Governor Roger Begin Channavy Chhay, Executive Director, Center for Southeast Asians William Conley, Jr. Esq. Caswell Cooke, Executive Director, Misquamicut Business Association Senator Louis DiPalma, Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules, Gov. Ethics & OversightDr. Ashish Jha, Dean, Brown University School of Public HealthCorey Jones, Executive Director, Black Lives Matter New England PACNorth Providence Mayor Lombardi Ana Bess Moyer Bell, Founder, Creating Outreach About Addiction SupportRepresentative Robert Phillips, Deputy Majority LeaderJennifer Ortiz, Owner, Executive CutsChris Parisi, Founder/CEO, Trailblaze Marketing Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Senator Ana Quezada, Deputy Majority WhipArmand E. Sabitoni, LIUNA General Secretary-Treasurer & New England Regional ManagerChief Brian Sullivan, Lincoln Police Department James Vincent, President, NAACP Providence Branch Inauguration Co-Chairs Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien Cumberland Mayor Jeff Mutter Related: Who Is Dan McKee, Rhode Island's Next Governor?