# RI.gov: Rhode Island Government


Press Releases

 

Nancy Scarduzio Joins Office of Management and Budget as Small Business Ombudsman

Brings Experience that Will Help Businesses Navigate Regulatory Process

Providence, R.I. - In an ongoing effort to make doing business easier in the state, Rhode Island Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Peter Marino today announced that Nancy Scarduzio has been named as the Office of Regulatory Reform's (ORR) Small Business Ombudsman.

As part of the OMB's focus on developing more clear, predictable and reliable regulatory and permitting processes to help businesses succeed, Scarduzio will provide customer assistance and act as the lead for the office's Regulatory Flexibility Coordinator. The OMB's Office of Regulatory Reform was created by statute in 2010.

Scarduzio will work with small businesses looking to navigate the regulatory process in the state, and continuously strive to simplify and expedite regulatory processes and reduce permit and license approval times. With the rest of the ORR staff, she will provide insight and analysis of existing rules and recommend regulatory changes to help streamline state and municipal codes and to accelerate job and business growth throughout Rhode Island while protecting the health, safety, and quality of life for residents.

Since 2006, Scarduzio was employed by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Fisheries Section in various capacities with her most recent position as Principal Marine Biologist. In this administrative capacity, she acted as Rules Coordinator responsible for the promulgation of marine fisheries regulations. She also worked closely with the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) and assisted commercial fishermen with permitting and regulatory guidance. Her background in regulatory compliance and focus on the protection of our marine fisheries has led her to a number of leadership roles. Previously, Scarduzio worked for the Rhode Island Department of Health as an Environmental Health Food Specialist, and through a nation-wide search, was recruited by the San Diego, Calif., County Department of Environmental Health Services as a Vector Ecologist.

Her past employment also includes working in private industry, as well as for a non-profit organization in the capacity of Managing Director. Scarduzio brings thirteen years of regulatory and code enforcement background and holds a Bachelor degree in Biology with emphasis in both Marine Biology and Medical Entomology from the University of Rhode Island. She is also a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) with the State of California and also holds this esteemed credential from the National Environmental Health Association.

"Nancy is an outstanding choice for this position. She understands how the regulatory system functions and brings an insight and ability to work to streamline these complex processes and make them work more efficiently. She has done extraordinary work for the commercial fishing industry and will bring the same commitment and creative thinking to her new role at the OMB," said Leslie Taito, OMB's Director of the Office Regulatory Reform.

"Under Governor Chafee's leadership, the OMB has worked very hard to develop and execute a plan to simplify our regulatory processes and reduce permit approval times and make Rhode Island a better place to do business," said Peter Marino, Director of the OMB. "Nancy's leadership skills and expertise are invaluable assets to the OMB as we continue to provide direct regulatory assistance to companies and to partner with state and local agencies to create an attractive business climate that paves the way for job and industry growth in Rhode Island."

Businesses which need assistance with regulatory or permitting matters may contact the ORR staff at 401-574-8426.

Related links

Share this: