NEW: Matos Officially Names Rogel Chief of Staff for Providence City Council

NEW: Matos Officially Names Rogel Chief of Staff for Providence City Council

Days after GoLocalProv.com broke that educator and political operative Erlin Rogel would be the Providence City Council's next Chief of Staff, City Council President Sabina Matos made it official on Friday. 

“Since my election as Council President in January, I have worked to build-out the Council office so that we can offer our constituents the highest level of service and Erlin is the capstone. I have known Erlin for many years through his different community roles, and believe that his experience and skill set make him an excellent choice to fill this very important role. I look forward to working with him,” said Matos.

Rogel is slated to replace interim Chief of Staff Jim Lombardi.

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“I’m thrilled to be joining a dynamic team, and to serve the members of the City Council as their Chief of Staff. I look forward to working with old and new colleagues bringing stability and strategic leadership to help propel the City forward,” said Rogel.

Rogel will take over the position on Monday, March 25. 

About Rogel

In 2016, Rogel was featured as an "Emerging Leader" on GoLocal in partnership with the United Way of Rhode Island.

His role model at the time?  A former City Council Chief of Staff. Rogel wrote:

This might come as a surprise to her, but I do think my most influential mentor has been Cyd McKenna, also the Chief of Staff for the Providence City Council. She gave me my first “big break” by personally reaching out to me and allowing me to share my ideas and skillset with the late Mayor Buddy Cianci during his 2014 mayoral campaign. I rarely come across individuals who believe in me and trust my input as much as Cyd does. Her confidence in me has propelled me to platforms I thought I wasn’t deserving of.

Rogel also provided as a question response what he was doing to "make Providence better."

I’d like to think I’m helping drive Providence forward by being one of its most vocal and passionate advocates (at least my Facebook friends and Instagram followers can attest to that). My commitment to live, work, and serve my City is the strongest commitment I’ve ever made in my life - I truly think it’s my only purpose. In more concrete ways: I helped draft the City’s Body Works ordinance while interning there during law school, I’m a cofounder and board member for the Millennial Professional Group of Rhode Island, and I’m a Teach For America 2015 Corps Member currently teaching 6th grade ELA at Gilbert Stuart Middle School, the same middle school I graduated from in 2004.