Providence Chief Operating Officer Brett Smiley will take over as Gov. Gina Raimondo’s chief of staff, following the departure of Stephen Neuman, who stepped down to work on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
Smiley joins Raimondo’s team after working for Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza as the city’s chief operating officer since 2015.
“I am thrilled to have Brett join our team as my Chief of Staff,” Gov. Raimondo wrote in a statement. “He comes to us with a breadth of financial and managerial experience.”
According to the statement, Smiley spent his time in the mayor’s office overseeing two budgets and developing plans for dealing with the city’s structural deficit. Prior to working for the city, Smiley operated a campaign fundraising and lobbying firm. He also served as chair of the Providence Water Supply Board.
Smiley ran for mayor of Providence in 2014, eventually dropping out to throw his support behind Elorza. Smiley will begin working in the Governor’s office after Labor Day.
Elorza said Smiley will be missed but added, “we are excited for him in his new role, and we know he will continue to be an asset to Providence.”
