Picozzi Names Transition Team for Warwick With No Women or Minorities - Pledges Diversity in Office

Picozzi Names Transition Team for Warwick With No Women or Minorities - Pledges Diversity in Office

Warwick Mayor-elect Frank Picozzi named his transition team this week — and none are female or minority. 

“As I promised during my campaign for Mayor I will keep my constituents completely informed and conduct all business publicly - total transparency. I don't take office until January but rest assured that I've already begun working for my city,” Picozzi announced in unveiling the team on Monday. 

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“My transition team consists of people that volunteered to help. The original four consist of a former Warwick solicitor, former finance director, two former chiefs of staff and a former DPW Director,” said Picozzi, after comments in social media on the composition of the team. 

“These are the people that possess the knowledge I need to navigate this transition. Unfortunately no minorities or females have ever held these jobs in Warwick. My administration will change that,” he said.

Picozzi said he already tapped a top female for his administration. 

“Now that Mayor Solomon has pledged his cooperation in the transition my focus has changed to seeking out qualified staff and I’ve added a former personnel director to aid me in this, her name will be released later today,” he said Thursday. 

"I'll also be bringing in experts in various areas to aid me in interviews for certain positions," he said. 

“It’s also important to note that no one on this team is being compensated in any way and none will be a part of my administration,” he added. 

"I’ve selected the first four listed because they have over 100 years of combined experience and expertise in Warwick’s City government. I’ve chosen Mr Testa and Mr Benson because I have tremendous respect for their intelligence and their expertise in the workings of the Warwick School Department," he said. 

 

Transition Team:

Mark Carruolo – former Chief of Staff.
Peter Ruggiero- former City Solicitor.
Ernest Zmyslinski- former Director of Finance.
David Picozzi- former DPW Director and Chief of Staff.
David Testa- Warwick School Committeeman.
Charles Benson - former Chairman of the Warwick School Committee.
Mark Carruolo is Chairman.

Post-Election Announcement 

Picozzi had announced the following earlier this week. 

All the members are volunteers and are doing this without compensation of any kind and none will be a part of my administration or become employees of the city and will play no part in any policy decisions. They have agreed to meet at night to accommodate my schedule.

We’ve had an initial organizational meeting and will begin interviewing solicitors soon. A letter will be sent out to Mayor Solomon asking for access to records and personnel. I am confident that the Mayor will be helpful in aiding us so we may have a smooth and seamless transition of power.

I have met with five City Councilman and one Councilman Elect and will meet with the rest in the coming days. All of these meetings were very positive and I am excited for the future of Warwick.