It Is Official: McKee Announces Pryor as Secretary of Commerce, 3 Days After GoLocal Report
GoLocalProv
It Is Official: McKee Announces Pryor as Secretary of Commerce, 3 Days After GoLocal Report
Now, on Thursday, Governor Dan McKee made the official announcement.
GoLocal Reported:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTGoLocal has confirmed that Governor Dan McKee is finalizing a plan to bring Stefan Pryor back.
Pryor previously served as Secretary of Commerce under both Governors Gina Raimondo and McKee, and then, after a failed run in the 2022 Democratic primary for General Treasurer, Pryor returned as McKee’s Secretary of Housing. The deal is expected to be completed this week.
Pryor will come back as Secretary of Commerce. Jim Bennett, who has been serving as the “interim” Secretary since Liz Tanner announced her “resignation” in June.
During McKee’s four years in office, he will have had four different heads of Commerce Corporation — Pryor, Tanner, Bennett, and Pryor again.
Bennett will be named to a new position at Commerce, titled Chief Executive Officer. Ironically, it was Bennett who brought McKee his biggest economic development win by recruiting Organogenesis.
Under McKee and Tanner, Commerce experienced a near-endless stream of top staffers leaving the agency.
Pryor, in his first go around at Commerce, is credited with bringing in GE, Johnson & Johnson, and some other high-profile companies. READ MORE
He had his shares of losses too. The Superman Building has been vacant for a decade plus, the PawSox left the state, and the effort to build a new Hasbro HQ failed.
McKee on Thursday
McKee said today, “Commerce has experienced real momentum over the past several years, and we believe this partnership between Stefan Pryor and Jim Bennett will position us to build upon and accelerate our progress.”
McKee added, “Stefan Pryor has the experience and the right skill set to steer Rhode Island’s economic development efforts. He has forged strong relationships with business over the years, knows Rhode Island’s strengths and potential, and is skilled at liaising between the public and private sectors.” He added that during his previous time at RI Commerce, Pryor was responsible for bringing an array of Commerce agencies together under a single umbrella. The Governor recognized Pryor for his assistance with recruitment of companies like Amazon and REGENT and his significant involvement with the I-195 District’s redevelopment. He also noted Pryor’s important role in supporting small businesses during the COVID pandemic.
The Governor also lauded JBennett, who stepped up to serve as Interim Secretary of Commerce, for his business acumen, adding, “As President and now Chief Executive Officer, Jim will work collaboratively with the Secretary to manage the day-to-day operations of the Corporation.”
“This is an amazing opportunity to partner with someone like Stefan Pryor, who has the experience and contacts to move Commerce forward," said Bennett.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Rhode Island once again,” said Pryor. “Under Governor McKee, our Commerce team will further focus on supporting businesses – large and small – as they navigate and innovate their way forward. We will also work to attract new investment to Rhode Island and create new economic opportunity for Rhode Islanders. Collaborating with Commerce Corporation President & CEO Jim Bennett as well as key community stakeholders, we will put in place near-term and long-term strategies to strengthen and grow our state’s economy.”