Ernest Almonte

Gregg Amore

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EAST PROVIDENCE — A month to the day he won the historic first-ever mayoral election in the city on November 6, Bob DaSilva late last week announced a transition of advisors some 30 strong.

In a press release penned Thursday, Dec. 6, Mr. DaSilva claimed the team was made up of “individuals with experience in business, municipal and state government as well as in the arts and recreation.”

Former Auditor General for Rhode Island from 1994 to 2010 Ernest Almonte was tabbed as the chairman of the transition with State Representative Gregg Amore (D-Dist. 65) as vice chair.

"I am honored to have an incredible group of people volunteering to help us shape a successful administration. I couldn't be more pleased to have a person like former Auditor General Ernest Almonte leading the team. His finance background, integrity and leadership will be invaluable in guiding me in our transition," Mr. DaSilva said in the statement.

According to the release members of the transition team will meet with the various city department directors and employees “to learn which strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats exist in the delivery of services.” Mr. DaSilva writes he “hopes to get an in-depth view of city hall from the point of view of its employees” through the encounters.

"I want to learn through the eyes of experienced individuals with various backgrounds what our employees need and desire to improve their delivery of services. Our team will also evaluate if we are employing best practices and making the best use of our personnel resources," Mr. DaSilva added.

It was noted as well Acting City Manager/East Providence Police Chief Christopher Parella has met with the team and will assist in setting up the meetings between the transition team, the administrators and employees. In addition, a subgroup of the transition team will specifically look at the state of the arts, culture and recreational opportunities within the city. The transition team will prepare a report to the mayor detailing their findings.

The transition team members are as follows:

Ernest Almonte - Former Auditor General for Rhode Island and CPA

Greg Amore - East Providence School District Athletic Director, Educator and RI State Representative

Valerie Perry - Former City Clerk and Councilwoman

Charlie Tsonos - Ward 1 School Committee Chairman

Tony Ferreira - Ward 2 School Committeeman

Nate Cahoon - Ward 3 School Committeeman and Councilman-Elect

Robert Britto - Ward 1 Councilman

Paul Moura - Former R.I. State Senator and Representative and member of the East Providence Waterfront Commission

Helder Cunha - Former R.I. State Representative, Business Owner Construction

Chrissy Rossi - Former City Councilwoman and School Committeewoman

William Fazioli - Former East Providence City Manager and Chairman of the East Providence Waterfront Commission

Jeanne Boyle - Former East Providence Planning Director

Laura McNamara - Executive Director of East Providence Area Chamber of Commerce

Michael Marcello Esq. - Former R.I. State Representative, Former Woonsocket City Solicitor

Peter Santos - Director of Information Technology Providence School Department

Joshua Luis Pereira - Computer Operation Specialist & Business Owner

Steve Rosa - Business Owner specializing in Marketing

Melissa Linhares Spurr - Business Owner specializing in Marketing

Phil Tirrell - Business Owner specializing in Realty

Maureen Gomes-Lopez - Retired Johnson & Johnson Sales Field Personnel Administration, Retired AFSCME Executive/Chief Negotiator Higher Education

Mark Mancinho - AFL-CIO Political Director

Samantha Burnett - Certified Paralegal background in Finance, Legal Research and Acquisitions

Daniel Brito - Business Owner specializing in Construction and Building

Rick Lawson - Information Technology and Arts

Damian Ramos - President Mohawks, specializing in recreation and arts

Mike Resendes - Business Owner and President of EPYSA

Jen Cahoon - Business Owner and Artist

Alba Curti - Retired Director of East Providence Recreation Department

Nick Shattuck - Educator and Assistant District Athletic Director

Bill Mulholland - Retired Director of Pawtucket Parks and Recreation

Richard Watrous - Local Designer, Arts Advocate and Creative Consultant