Carcieri picks Amy Kempe as new spokesperson

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Donald L. Carcieri has named marketing and communications veteran Amy Kempe to serve as his new spokesperson and press secretary. She will replace Jeff Neal, the governor’s spokesman for the past five years, who in March announced his intention to step down.
Kempe “boasts over 10 years of public relations experience in Rhode Island and already has strong connections with a number of reporters in the state and region,” Carcieri said in a statement. “With that experience in mind, I believe Amy will do a terrific job of working with the local media to convey my views and public policy positions to the people of Rhode Island.”
Since 2000, Kempe has worked with New England public relations giant Regan Communications Group, serving a client list that includes Newport Grand, Dunkin’ Donuts and the Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Association. She joined Regan Communications as senior account manager, overseeing the opening of the firm’s Providence office and rising to vice president and team leader in 2003.
From 1997 to 2000, she had served as a public relations supervisor for GTECH Corp. She previously had worked for the congressional campaigns of Rick Wild and Kevin Vigilante.
A Newport resident, Kempe holds a master in fine arts degree from the University of Rhode Island. She is a political science graduate of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany.
Additional news and information from the governor’s office is available at www.ri.gov/governor.