Governor Announces Resignation of Jerome F. Williams

12-22-2008

Director of Administration Tapped as Senior Vice President and Chief Business and Administration Officer for Roger Williams University

Governor Donald L. Carcieri today accepted the resignation of Jerome F. Williams, Director of the Department of Administration. Director Williams has accepted a position at Roger Williams University as Senior Vice President and Chief Business and Administration Officer.

“Jerry Williams is a tremendous leader who has accomplished much in his years serving in the public sector, overseeing two of the state’s largest and most important state agencies,” said Governor Donald L. Carcieri. “Jerry has served with success, honor and distinction. His commitment to public service is admirable, and he will be missed greatly by this Administration. This is an exciting opportunity for Jerry, and I am confident he will have all the success in his new venture that he enjoyed working in the departments of Administration and Transportation. Roger Williams University is truly fortunate to have Jerry as part of their team.”

"I want to thank the Governor for his confidence in me in appointing me to leadership positions in his administration,” said Director Williams. “I have truly enjoyed my time back in the public sector due to the Governor and his management team. Significant accomplishments have been made under the Governor's leadership which has and will benefit all citizens. I am also proud of the staff that I have worked with during my time with the State. The accomplishments achieved are a result of an entire team effort."

"As I look to the next phase of my career I am very pleased to join President Nirschel and his management team at Roger Williams University. The University has seen significant growth and achievements under President Nirschel and this is truly an exciting opportunity,” continued Williams.

Williams was confirmed as Director of Administration in June 2008, after serving as Director of the Department of Transportation in 2007. Prior to DOT, Williams served as Executive Director of DOA from 2003 to 2007.

“Jerry’s stewardship of DOA has led to significant changes in state government, saving the taxpayers millions of dollars. Under his leadership, the state negotiated sweeping changes to state employee labor agreements, implemented an ongoing review of discretionary spending, streamlined the state’s financial reporting system, and reorganized the state’s largest department operating with fewer employees,” continued Governor Carcieri.

During his tenure as Director of DOA, Williams reduced departmental staffing by 13.7% through consolidation and reorganization resulting in savings of $5.4 million; eliminated a projected deficit for the department in FY 2008 and ended the year with a surplus of $1.2 million; implemented a monthly financial reporting system for all state agencies coupled with alerts and sanctions for overspending; implemented an ongoing comprehensive review of discretionary spending in May and June of 2008 resulting in $8.3 million in reduced expenditures in the two months; successfully negotiated as part of the state team collective bargaining agreements resulting in $28 million in savings to the state.

Williams led critical committees including co-chairing the Transportation Blue Ribbon Panel providing recommendations for funding the state’s transportation needs in the future and chaired the12-person panel pension reform team resulting in enacted pension changes saving the state $44 million. In addition, Williams directed a review of RIPTA outlining recommendations to the Governor to reduce the projected deficit.

Under Williams’ leadership, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation opened up the first section of the Iway to motorists, opened the new Berkley-Martin Bridges and reopened the Blackstone River Bikeway, and created a Customer Service office. He also reduced overtime at the department by $2 million, consolidated RIDOT’s Transportation Management Center and Maintenance’s dispatch services into one 24-hour operation saving $500,000 annually, and streamlined winter maintenance operations saving the state $2.7 million.

“Jerry has worked extensively to institute better management controls at the Department of Transportation,” Carcieri said. “He has value-engineered a number of projects and renegotiated contracts saving over $40 million for taxpayers. He also eliminated a projected $5 million operating departmental deficit through effective management and reformed the contracting process.”

Williams served as Executive Director of DOA since 2003, where he was responsible for seven operating units within the Department, including accounting, internal auditing, taxation, facilities management, capital projects, sheriffs, and the Capitol Police. He previously served as Deputy Director of DOA from 1991 to 1994. He also served as the Deputy General Treasurer for Rhode Island from 1986 to 1991 and Town Treasurer of Barrington from 1979 to 1986.

For his work in the public sector, Williams received in 2006 the Robert M. Goodrich Award for Distinguished Public Service from the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council. Williams also has experience in the private sector. He was Senior Vice President for FleetBoston Financial from 1994 to 2003.

Williams, a resident of Barrington, holds an MBA Degree with a concentration in Accounting, a B.S. Degree in Accounting, and a B.S. Degree in Institutional Management from Bryant University.