Raimondo Announces Public Safety Leadership Team
GINA RAIMONDO
Governor will Appoint Manni as Superintendent of State Police, Nominate Coyne-Fague as Director of Corrections when Legislature Returns Next Week
Pappas Named Director of Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency
PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Gina M. Raimondo announced her leadership selections across multiple public safety agencies. She will appoint James Manni as superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police following Colonel Ann Assumpico’s decision to retire next month after 42 years in law enforcement, and submit Manni’s name as Director of the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety to the Rhode Island Senate. The Governor will nominate Patricia Coyne-Fague as director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. Raimondo also appointed Marc Pappas director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency.
“Public safety is one of the most important roles of government. I am pleased to announce our public safety leadership team, and particularly pleased that James Manni will be returning to the Rhode Island State Police. Major Manni has had a long and respected career serving the state in law enforcement and local public service. He will undoubtedly continue the rich tradition of service at the Rhode Island State Police,” said Raimondo. “Colonel Ann Assumpico led the State Police with distinction and honor. I am grateful for her four decades of trailblazing service at nearly every level of law enforcement and public safety. She is handing her successor the most diverse and representative State Police we have ever had.”
James Manni has a quarter century of experience with the Rhode Island State Police and retired in 2015 as a major and a member of command staff. He has served as the Narragansett Town Manager since July 2016, and this year he co-chaired the Governor’s Gun Safety Working Group, which was convened in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and developed recommendations for stricter gun safety laws. Prior to joining the Rhode Island State Police, Manni spent 5 years with the U.S. Secret Service. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Rhode Island and an MBA from Bryant College.
“I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead the Rhode Island State Police and look forward to joining many of my former colleagues to preserve public safety across the state and continue the tradition of our storied State Police,” said Manni. “I appreciate that Governor Raimondo has put her faith in me, and I am thankful to Colonel Assumpico for her leadership of the State Police over the last two years.”
Patricia Coyne-Fague has served as the acting director of the Department of Corrections since the retirement of Ashbel T. Wall in January 2018. She has spent nearly two decades working for the Department of Corrections starting as a staff attorney and later rising to chief legal counsel and then assistant director. Prior to working for the Department of Corrections she was a prosecutor for the RI Department of the Attorney General. Coyne-Fague is a graduate of Saint Mary’s Academy – Bay View, holds a Bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island College and earned a law degree from the New England School of Law.
“Trish Coyne-Fague has spent her career helping to make Rhode Island’s Department of Corrections the nation’s leading corrections agency,” Raimondo said. “Under her direction, DOC has been heralded for its reform-oriented policies and practices. She’s played an integral role to implement our nation-leading response to the overdose crisis and she worked closely with our team to develop, pass and implement the transformative justice reinvestment package during my first term.”
“I am honored and humbled by Governor Raimondo’s confidence in me and and thrilled by the opportunity to lead the extraordinary men and women who run the state’s corrections system,” said Coyne-Fague.
Marc Pappas has served as the acting director of the Emergency Management Agency since Peter Gaynor left earlier this year to become the deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Pappas began his career with RIEMA in 2009. Previously he spent 25 years in law enforcement including more than two decades with the Pawtucket Police Department. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island College.
“For nearly a decade, Marc has been a central figure in Rhode Island’s emergency response, including the Great Floods of 2010 where he coordinated local, state and federal response,” said Governor Raimondo. “As we enter snow season, I am particularly pleased that we will have someone with Marc’s experience and professionalism leading the charge of our emergency response.”
“I am honored that Governor Raimondo has selected me to be Director of the Emergency Management Agency,” said Pappas. “It is a position that carries enormous responsibility and one for which I am uniquely qualified. I will do my best to foster a culture of preparedness in Rhode Island.”
The nominations of James Manni as Director of Public Safety and Patricia Coyne-Fague as Director of the Department of Corrections require Senate confirmation. The Governor will formally submit their names in the opening days of the 2019 session. The appointment of Marc Pappas does not require Senate approval and will take effect immediately.