Governor Donald L. Carcieri today announced that Timothy Costa has rejoined his office as Policy Director and that Clark Greene is leaving to become the new Chief of Staff for the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE).

Costa, who previously served as the Director of the Governor’s Washington D.C. Office and as the Governor’s Policy Director, left state service in April 2006 to run the Governor’s re-election campaign for a short time, and then to serve as the Executive Director of the anti-casino group, Save Our State. Costa officially returned to state service on January 10, 2007.

“I’m very pleased that Tim has decided to return to his former post of Policy Director,” Governor Carcieri said. “Tim performed splendidly as the Executive Director of Save Our State, defeating the Harrah’s casino question by a margin nobody could have predicted. I’m happy that he’ll be applying his energy and enthusiasm to driving forward my policy agenda.”

Clark Greene, currently the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, will move to RIDE beginning in February. Greene has worked for the state since 1993, when he joined the Rhode Island Department of Health. In 1996, Greene joined Governor Lincoln Almond’s office as a Health Policy Analyst. Greene subsequently served as Governor Almond’s Policy Director from 1998 to 2000, and as Deputy Chief of Staff from 2000 through 2002.

Governor Carcieri appointed Greene as his Deputy Chief of Staff in January 2003. Since that time, Greene has served as the Director of the Governor’s Fiscal Fitness Program (2004-2005) and as the Chief of Staff to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, Dr. David Gifford (2005 to 2006). After Costa left state service in April 2006, Greene returned to the Governor’s office to temporarily assist as Policy Director and Deputy Chief of Staff.

“Clark Greene is an invaluable career public servant who has helped my office in innumerable ways,” the Governor said. “I want to thank Clark for all his efforts as my Policy Director and Deputy Chief of Staff. He has done a terrific job, and will be equally successful in his new position.”

“As I noted at my inauguration, reforming Rhode Island’s education system is my top priority for my second term as Governor," Carcieri continued. "In that light, I’m very pleased that Clark will be at the Education Department to assist Commissioner McWalters and myself in achieving that goal. Clark understands the critical role education reform will play in providing opportunities to our youngsters — especially in urban areas — and in ensuring Rhode Island's future economic prosperity.”

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