Governor Donald L. Carcieri today announced his intention to nominate Gary S. Sasse of East Greenwich as Director of the Department of Administration. Sasse has served as Director of the Department of Revenue since January, 2008. The nomination is subject to the advice and consent of the state Senate. Sasse will replace Jerome Williams, who recently accepted a position at Roger Williams University as Senior Vice President and Chief Business and Administration Officer.

“I am pleased Gary has agreed to lead the Department of Administration,” said Governor Donald L. Carcieri. “Since coming on board my Administration, Gary has been a tremendous asset to the Department of Revenue, implementing new policies that have improved reporting and analysis, enhanced revenue collections and successfully found operating efficiencies and cost savings across all divisions. With more than 30 years of experience in crafting and analyzing sound fiscal policies and sustainability for government programs, Gary has earned the respect and trust of legislators, the media, and the public alike, and is a vital part of the team as we navigate the State through this financial crisis.”

“Rhode Island is facing perhaps the greatest financial challenge of our time, and I will continue to work with the Governor, in concert with the General Assembly and our cities and towns, to help Rhode Island out of this recession and make the state stronger and more competitive than before,” said Gary Sasse.

Since being appointed as the State’s first Director of the Department of Revenue, Sasse has led the adoption of new reporting and analysis including monthly revenue reports, property tax analysis, as well as implementing an aggressive tax compliance program, and taking steps to modernize the Division of Motor Vehicles.

In May 2008, Sasse was appointed to lead the Governor’s Tax Policy Group, which is to create a long-term strategic tax plan for the state and develop proposals for tax policy reform that meet the tests of equity, efficiency, predictability, competitiveness and transparency. The Tax Policy Group is expected to make recommendations to the Governor in late January.

“Gary’s experience, knowledge and dedication will be a tremendous asset as we try to deal with the state’s looming budget shortfall and reform our archaic tax policies,” Carcieri continued. “I want to thank Gary for his willingness to take up this important challenge. The work being done by Sasse and the Tax Policy Group will lay the foundation for a more sound tax policy that will make Rhode Island competitive. Transforming the tax policy, which has driven out businesses, young people and retirees for far too long, is critical to the long term future success of Rhode Island.”

Sasse served as Director of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) starting in 1977. Prior to joining RIPEC, Sasse served from 1974 to 1977 as the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer and Deputy Director of Finance and Administration for the City of Memphis, Tennessee. From 1972 to 1974, Sasse served the State of Tennessee as the Director of the Office of Urban and Federal Affairs and as a member of the Governor's Staff.

The Department of Revenue was created by the General Assembly in 2005. The Department oversees a number of functions of state government, including the Division of Taxation, the Division of Lottery, the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Property Valuation, and the Office of Revenue Analysis.

Sasse will work closely with current Director of Department of Administration Jerome Williams on a transition. “It has been a pleasure working closely with Gary for the past year to bring greater transparency and operating efficiency to all aspects of State government, and I am confident he will bring the same commitment and energy to the Department of Administration as he has brought to Revenue,” said Williams.

“Jerry Williams has put together an amazing team of knowledgeable and hard working professionals that strive for the betterment of State government, and I am honored to work with him and his staff through this transition” concluded Sasse.

Sasse will continue to serve as the Director of the Department of Revenue during the Administration’s search for a replacement.

Gary Sasse earned a B.A. in Political Science from Florida State University and an M.S. in Public Administration from the University of Missouri.

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