Elorza Names Stokes New Business and Development Director for Providence

Elorza Names Stokes New Business and Development Director for Providence

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza announced Wednesday that Keith Stokes will serve as Business and Development Director for the City of Providence, starting October 12.

Stokes was the head of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation during the 38 Studios collapse, and was a defendant in the state's lawsuit over the default on the $75 million in state funding. 

The Corporation settled claims against Hilltop Securities Inc. (formerly First Southwest Company) for $16 million in 2017; Curt Schilling, Thomas Zaccagnino, Richard Wester, Jennifer MacLean, and their insurer, Starr Indemnity and Liability Company for $2.5 million in September 2016; Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Barclays Capital Inc. for $25.625 million in August 2016; Adler, Pollock & Sheehan P.C., Robert I. Stolzman, J. Michael Saul, and Stokes for $12.5 million in August 2015; and Antonio Afonso, Jr. and Moses Afonso Ryan Ltd. for $4.4 million in June 2014.

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According to the city, Stokes -- a resident of Newport -- will be responsible for leading the City’s comprehensive business support and development programs and work with departments that contribute to the City’s business growth and retention efforts, such as the City’s Minority and Women-Owned Business (M/WBE) efforts and Office of Economic Opportunity. The position will have an emphasis on coordinating consensus among business, government, and community stakeholders to identify specific and actionable business development and COVID-19 recovery priorities, including recovery issues, programs, services, and plans.

“Keith is a person of strong character and leadership whose robust community and business relationships will be an asset to the City of Providence,” said Elorza. “He brings special talents in business and economic development honed through many years of experience in both government and private business sectors. As our business community recovers from the pandemic, I know Keith will hit the ground running to develop business and workforce recovery plans with community members to ensure that Providence continues to be a City that works.”

Stokes is a graduate of Cornell University with a BS in Public Policy and an MA in Policy from the University of Chicago. He most recently served for nine years as an Economic Planning and Planning Consultant with Mayforth Group where he led and managed a dynamic business function that served institutions with strategic economic planning, government relations, development, grant writing, and implementation services. Previously, he was appointed Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Center and has served as the Executive Director of the Newport Chamber of Commerce. Stokes is a leading voice in Black heritage where he has received many local, state and national awards of recognition and is a frequent public lecturer on the topic.