Taveras Administration Announces Staff Transitions, Additions

Business executive Michael Pearis selected as City's Director of Finance.

Providence Mayor Angel Taveras today announced a series of staff transitions and additions to his senior team, in order to direct valuable staff resources in a manner most advantageous for the City.

Michael D'Amico will assume a dual role as Director of Administration/Acting Chief of Staff and JR Pagliarini will serve as Senior Executive Advisor. Both will report directly to the Mayor. As the Mayor's Senior Executive Advisor, Pagliarini will be responsible for all federal and state lobbying and intergovernmental relations for the administration.

"I'm proud of the work we've achieved as a team, and look forward to continuing to improve our city. JR has been and continues to be a key member of our team heading into 2012. His vast experience in government will serve us well as we head into another challenging year," said Mayor Taveras.

Arianne Lynch will join the Taveras administration as Deputy Chief of Staff beginning January 3, 2012. Lynch is currently the Managing Director of Public Affairs & Strategic Communications at Advocacy Solutions LLC, where she develops and implements integrated public affairs campaigns for a range of clients and causes. Within the administration Lynch will oversee policy and public engagement efforts.

Gonzalo Cuervo will continue in his role as Deputy Chief of Staff responsible for overseeing the Mayor's offices of Neighborhood Services, Senior Services, Community Relations, and Boards and Commissions.

Matthew Jerzyk will maintain his responsibilities as Senior Counsel to the Mayor as well as assume the duties of Director of Policy and Municipal Affairs. In that capacity, he will develop and manage legislation on the city level and coordinate the relationship between the Administration and the City Council. He will also supervise the Policy Office, the Office of Sustainability, led by Sheila Dormody and the Mayor's Substance Abuse Prevention Council, led by Matthew Stark.

Mayor Taveras also announced his selection of Michael Pearis to serve as the City's new Director of Finance. Pearis is a highly experienced business executive with diverse financial, managerial and operations experience in a private-sector career that has included senior positions at Fleet Bank, Pillsbury and Pepsi.

Pearis, a Providence resident, earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration at Pepperdine University and his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Finance at Florida A&M University. He will be responsible for all financial and accounting information for the City of Providence, and oversee efforts to develop short- and long-term financial goals for the City, including a five-year financial plan.

As Finance Director, Pearis will oversee the Department of Finance and the Offices of the City Controller, City Collector and City Assessor. His responsibilities will include preparation and oversight of the City's annual operating budget, monitoring the operating budget for the Providence School Department, and financial presentations to the City Council, bond rating agencies and other organizations. The Director of Finance also serves as vice chairman of the Board of Investment Commissioners and as a member of the Providence Water Supply Board, the Board of Contract & Supply, and ProvPort.

Pearis most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Child and Family, the largest and most comprehensive social service provider in Newport County, and one of the largest in Rhode Island. He has focused much of his career in the nonprofit, financial services and consumer products sectors. His qualifications and experience include operations management, information technology management, financial planning and forecasting, staff and facilities management, and strategic plan development and implementation. He is currently a board member of Providence Community Health Center.

Pearis was selected for the position following a comprehensive search that attracted more than 40 applicants throughout the United States, including California, Arizona, Oregon, Illinois, and New Jersey.