Lt. Gov. Dan McKee Announces Members Of Transition Team

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.

• 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, Volunteer
• Andrea Palagi, Communications Director, Office of the Lt. Governor
• Michael Trainor, Volunteer

• 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

• Representative Mia Ackerman, Deputy Majority Whip
• Lincoln Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond
• Rev. Dr. Chris Abhulime, King's Tabernacle Church
• Former 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 & Oversight
• Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean, Brown University School of Public Health
• Corey Jones, Executive Director, Black Lives Matter New England PAC
• North Providence Mayor Lombardi
• Ana Bess Moyer Bell, Founder, Creating Outreach About Addiction Support
• Representative Robert Phillips, Deputy Majority Leader
• Jennifer Ortiz, Owner, Executive Cuts
• Chris Parisi, Founder/CEO, Trailblaze Marketing
• Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena
• Senator Ana Quezada, Deputy Majority Whip
• Armand E. Sabitoni, LIUNA General Secretary-Treasurer & New England Regional Manager
• Chief Brian Sullivan, Lincoln Police Department
• James Vincent, President, NAACP Providence Branch

• Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien
• Cumberland Mayor Jeff Mutter

Related: Who Is Dan McKee, Rhode Island's Next Governor?