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Governor-elect Lincoln Chafee Names Three New Members of Transition Leadership Team

Providence, R.I.—Governor-elect Lincoln Chafee today announced the addition of Margaret Holland McDuff, Claire Richards, and John Simmons to his transition leadership team.

The three new members, Chafee said, bring with them “a wealth of experience, energy, and knowledge.”

“I am appreciative and encouraged that Margaret Holland McDuff, Claire Richards, and John Simmons have joined my transition leadership team,” Chafee said. “These three individuals possess a vast knowledge of the way every facet of Rhode Island works – state government, non-profit organizations, and private business. They will each bring invaluable perspectives and insights that will help my transition be as productive and successful as possible. Margaret, John, and Claire will be tremendous assets to me going forward as I work to address and solve the considerable challenges facing our great state.”

The three new members join Governor-elect Chafee’s current transition leadership team, led by Chairman Patrick Rogers: Stephen Hourahan, Michael Trainor, Jonathan Stevens, and Judge Stephen Erickson.

Margaret Holland McDuff is CEO of Family Service of Rhode Island, one of the state’s oldest and largest human service and education non-profits. She is also the founder and current president of the Ocean State Network for Children and Families and a founder and current treasurer of the Quality Care Company. McDuff is a recipient of the national Child Welfare Leadership Award from the Alliance for Children and Families, and recently founded the Providence Children’s Initiative. She earned an M.A. from Rhode Island College and an M.B.A. from Bryant University, is the mother of two boys, and lives in East Providence with her husband, Michael.

John C. Simmons is Executive Director of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC), a non-profit public policy research organization whose Board of Directors includes the business, professional, and academic leadership of the state. At RIPEC, he is responsible for the development, administration, and promotion of an applied research and public education program on a broad range of fiscal, public policy, and public administration issues affecting state and local governments. Prior to joining RIPEC, Simmons served as: Chief of Administration for the City of Providence; Chief Finance Officer for the City of Boston; Executive Vice President and C.O.O. for the Associated Industries of Massachusetts; and as Deputy General Treasurer for the State of Rhode Island. He earned a B.A. from Central Connecticut State University and an M.P.A. from the University of Hartford. He lives in Providence.

Claire Julie Valerie Richards currently advises state agencies and private clients as a legal sole practitioner. She previously served as Special Counsel to Governor Donald Carcieri, and as Deputy Executive Counsel and later Executive Counsel to Governor Lincoln Almond. Prior to entering state government, Richards was an Associate with the Providence law firm of Hinckley, Allen & Snyder and an Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale, her alma mater. In addition to her B.A. from Yale, Richards earned a J.D. from the Duke University School of Law.

Contact: Graham Vyse Office: 401-222-4035 Cell: 401-525-8834 gvyse@governorelectchafee.org

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