Gov. Lincoln Almond last week appointed William J. Parsons, deputy director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, as interim director of the quasi-public state agency for the duration of the Almond administration.
Tom Schumpert left RIEDC last Friday (August 9). He is slated to begin his new position as executive director of the Metro Center and Community Outreach at Roger Williams University on Aug. 26.
Rhode Island's Market Has Changed. Developers, Builders, Investors and Sellers Must Change With It.
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While Schumpert’s resignation may have been unexpected in terms of its timing, the decision did not come as much of a surprise. Almond is now just a few months away from completing his second term, leaving the collective fates of department heads like Schumpert very much up in the air.
Schumpert will be responsible for the overall administration and advancement of the university’s Metro Center in downtown Providence. He will work to develop and implement the university’s strategic plan to expand the university’s corporate and community relations.
Parsons has served with the RIEDC and its predecessor, the state Department of Economic Development, for 27 years. He was appointed deputy director in 1990.
“Bill Parsons brings a great wealth of experience to the role of acting director,” Almond said in a prepared statement. “He will continue EDC’s important mission of expanding economic opportunities…”
