Gov. Donald L. Carcieri Monday announced that Ronald A. Lebel, director of the R.I. Department of Human Services (DHS), will retire from state service effective Dec. 23. Carcieri said he would soon begin a search for a replacement.
“During his 28 years in state government, Ron Lebel has been a terrific public servant,” Carcieri said. “Ron has been on the front lines of Rhode Island’s efforts to develop an effective safety net for our most vulnerable citizens. Ron has also performed admirably as the director of one of the state’s largest departments at a time of scarce resources.”
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“The generosity that Rhode Island continues to display through the state’s strong social service network is, in part, a measure of Ron’s compassion and ability,” Carcieri continued. “I want to thank Ron for his service to Rhode Island and to my administration. There is no doubt that Ron’s experience, expertise and passion will be missed. I wish Ron and his family well as he embarks on his new career.”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have served the state and its citizens for more than 28 years,” Lebel said. “At various times over my career in state government, I have served as legal counsel, chief financial officer and Director of the Department of Human Services, a department that provides a wide range of health care, cash assistance and other essential services and opportunities to 250,000 persons each year, nearly 1 in 4 Rhode Islanders.
“I can only hope that I have made a meaningful contribution to the mission of the Department of Human Services, its staff, and to the lives of the citizens of the state that we serve.”
Ronald Lebel was confirmed as director of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services in April, after serving as acting director since August 2003. He has served in key management roles including associate director management services and chief legal counsel. As director, he oversees 1,100 full-time employees, and an operating budget of about $1.7 billion.
Lebel began his public service career in October 1978 as special counsel to the director of the Department of Business Regulation. He then moved to the Department of Social and Rehabilitative Services (later renamed as the Department of Human Services) as legal counsel at the Bureau of Family Support (now Child Support Services), then became deputy chief legal counsel and legal counsel/assistant director for Legal Services at DHS.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Government at Colby College, Lebel attended the Graduate School of Business at the University of Rhode Island, then Suffolk University School of Law, where he received his J.D. in 1978. That year, he was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar. He is also a certified public accountant.
“I will be leaving state service to pursue personal and professional interests, including the resumption of the practice of law in Portsmouth, my home town,” Lebel said. “This will not be ‘retirement.’ Rather, it will be a new beginning, for my family and me.”
“I would like to thank Governor Carcieri for his trust and confidence in appointing me to be the Director of the Department of Human Services, and for his support and guidance throughout my tenure in dealing with the many challenging human service fiscal and policy issues of our time,” Lebel said. “Governor, I wish you and First Lady Sue Carcieri all the best during this Holiday Season, and as you begin the second term or your administration.”
