Governor Raimondo announces new Chief of Staff

July 18, 2016 1:00 pm

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

The governor making the official announcement earlier this morning that Brett Smiley will take over as her new Chief of Staff.

David Cruise has been serving as Acting Chief of Staff since Stephen Neuman left the post earlier this year to take a job with Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

Smiley has served as Chief Operating Officer for the City of Providence since Mayor Elorza took office in January 2015.

Smiley launched an unsuccessful bid for mayor himself before stepping aside to join Elorza’s campaign.

It has been a rocky road through the first year and a half in office for Elorza.

Some speculating, smiley’s move is evidence of that, but mayor Elorza has been supportive.

“He come highly recommended by the mayor, he’s run his own campaigns but I’ve known him for years and I know he has a good tempermant. He’s a trusted leader and people like to work for him. Which is very important to me because at the end of the day you need a good manager. And he’s committed to Rhode Island. That is what sold me on him.”

To aide in the transition, Smiley will remain with the mayor’s office for the next six weeks and take over in his new position with the governor at the beginning of September.