Rhode Island Gov.-elect Gina Raimondo on Dec. 3 named Stephen Neuman as her chief of staff. Neuman will move from Maryland, where he now is the director of public affairs in the office of Gov. Martin O'Malley.
Neuman's official start date is Jan. 6, Raimondo's inauguration day, but he will assist in the transition. \
"I am excited to have Steve help lead my team as we work to move Rhode Island forward," Raimondo said in a statement. "His experience working for governors in Maryland, North Carolina and Missouri will be invaluable as we work to find new and creative solutions here."
In Maryland, Neuman has overseen various strategic policy and communications efforts as well as managing various daily operations. He has also been the chief liaison to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, among other agencies.
O'Malley, in a statement, praised Newman for helping increase the minimum wage to $10.10, passing the EARN workforce development initiative and enacting the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act.
"We wish him the best," O'Malley said.
Before joining O'Malley's office, he worked for North Carolina Gov. Beverly Purdue and was an attorney with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. He is a graduate of Washington University School of Law and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
