Raimondo Shakes Up Staff

Raimondo Shakes Up Staff

Governor Gina M. Raimondo is shaking up her staff. On Tuesday afternoon she named Senior Advisor David Ortiz as her new Chief of Staff.

The Governor’s current Chief of Staff, Brett Smiley, will become the Acting Director of Administration following DOA Director Mike DiBiase’s departure in early January.

Former Senate Majority Leader Dan Connors will join the Governor’s team as her new Senior Advisor. Presently, Connors is a lobbyist.

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Smiley's stay at Administration is expected to be short-lived as he is expected to be a candidate for Providence Mayor in 2022.

“It’s an honor to work for a Governor who spends every day fighting to expand opportunity for all Rhode Islanders,” said David Ortiz. “Rhode Island has come a long way in the past five years, and we know there’s a lot more work to do. I look forward to hitting the ground running in my new role as Chief of Staff.”

Ortiz previously worked for Providence Mayors Jorge Elorza and Angel Taveras.

For Raimondo, he oversaw the office’s community outreach efforts, coordinated with local, statewide, and federal officeholders, and helped lead efforts to expand education and job training opportunities across Rhode Island. Prior to that, David has held senior leadership positions in the administrations of former Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, and General Treasurer Seth Magaziner. David joined the Governor’s Office in 2016 as Press Secretary and went on to serve as Deputy Campaign Manager for the Governor’s successful 2018 re-election campaign.

Beginning next year, Brett Smiley will serve as Acting Director of Administration following Director DiBiase’s departure. DiBiase has previously been announced as the new President and CEO of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC). After assuming the role, Smiley will conduct an assessment of the Department’s needs and begin a search process for a permanent Director.
Brett Smiley has been the Governor’s Chief of Staff since 2016, during which time he has managed three budget proposals and worked to ensure the passage of key pieces of legislation, from gun safety measures to health care protections and more. Brett has decades of managerial experience as a small business owner and public servant. He served the last three Providence mayors, most recently as Chief Operating Officer for Mayor Jorge Elorza.

“I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished over the past few years, and I’m looking forward to leading the Department of Administration through this next transition,” said Brett Smiley.

In addition, former Senate Majority Leader Dan Connors will be joining the Governor’s Office as Senior Advisor. Dan was first elected to the Rhode Island Senate in 1996 at the age of 20. He was elected Senate Majority Leader in 2008 and served through 2011. In the years since, he has worked as a government relations consultant and served as counsel in the renewable energy, healthcare, facility service, and hospitality industries. Dan is currently Senior Counsel at Duffy & Sweeney.

“It’s been exciting to watch Governor Raimondo bring meaningful change to Rhode Island over the last five years,” said Dan Connors. “Because of her efforts, we’ve seen a new era of economic growth and mobility, and I’m thrilled to be a part of her team.”

Dan Connors will start on Monday, December 16 and will be paid $166,653. David Ortiz and Brett Smiley will begin transitioning to their new jobs immediately and will assume the roles at the beginning of the new year. Smiley will be paid $155,000 as Acting Director and Ortiz will be paid $185,565 as Chief of Staff.