Tasked with finding efficiencies, improving delivery of services throughout the City
Kathy Placencia to continue serving as Administrator of Elections, Larry Mancini as Finance Director
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced that Nicole Pollock will serve as Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Providence.
As Chief Innovation Officer, Pollock will serve on the Mayor’s senior staff and will be tasked with working with department directors and city employees to find areas for efficiency in city government and improve the delivery of services throughout Providence. The CINO will also implement and oversee a system to measure and report on the effectiveness of City services. She will look for opportunities to reduce costs and improve service for residents, developers and business owners.
“I am pleased to announce the creation of the Chief Innovation Officer position and excited to welcome Nicole to my administration,” Mayor Elorza said. “The Chief Innovation Officer will help us to improve services, increase transparency and find efficiencies and cost savings that will benefit all stakeholders in the City. Nicole’s professional acumen and record of accomplishments in State government has been exemplary. I look forward to working closely with her to make Providence the City that works.”
Mayor Elorza’s appointment of Providence’s first-ever Chief Innovation Officer also fulfills his campaign pledge to create the position in City government, as part of his plan to improve the delivery of services by identifying realistic and achievable solutions to City Hall’s everyday problems.
Pollock has worked for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management since 2011, where she led policy initiatives, oversaw special projects and coordinated communications for the department. Her previous experience includes stints with Clean Water Action Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Parent Information Network, the Rhode Island Area Health Educations Center, and The Providence Plan. She holds a degree in environmental studies from Brown University.
Mayor Elorza also announced that Kathy Placencia will continue to serve as the City’s Administrator of Elections, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Providence Board of Canvassers. Placencia has served in the role for nine years.
Lawrence J. Mancini will continue to serve as Finance Director. He has served the City of Providence for 28 years, and been in his current role since 2013. He holds a B.S. in accounting from Bryant University.