PROVIDENCE – Gov. Donald L. Carcieri today announced he intends to nominate Gary S. Sasse of East Greenwich as director of a new R.I. Department of Revenue, subject to confirmation by the state Senate.
Beverly Najarian, who also is director of the R.I. Department of Administration, has been serving as interim director of the Department of Revenue since it was created by the General Assembly in 2005.
“As the longtime chief of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, Gary Sasse is the perfect person to head up the new Department of Revenue,” Carcieri said in a statement today. “Over the last 30 years, Gary has worked with governors and legislators from both sides of the political aisle to address Rhode Island’s fiscal problems. Like me, Gary is devoted to making sure that state government is operated on a sustainable basis, and that it is a benefit, not a burden, to Rhode Island taxpayers.”
Sasse yesterday announced his intention to retire from the RIPEC, a business-backed research and policy group he has headed since 1977. His position there is to be filled by John Simmons, the current chief of administration to Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline. (READ MORE)
Before joining RIPEC, Sasse had served the City of Memphis, Tenn., as assistant chief administrative officer and deputy director of finance and administration, from 1974 to 1977; and the State of Tennessee, as director of the office of urban and federal affairs and a member of the governor’s staff, from 1972 to 1974.
A political science graduate of Florida State University, he earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
“Gary’s experience, knowledge and dedication will be a tremendous asset as we try to deal with the state’s looming budget shortfall,” Carcieri said. “I want to thank Gary Sasse for his willingness to take up this important challenge.”
