Governor-elect Raimondo to Nominate Stefan Pryor as State’s First Commerce Secretary

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor-elect Gina Raimondo today announced that she will nominate Stefan Pryor to the newly-created post of Secretary of Commerce.  Raimondo will submit Pryor for consideration to the Rhode Island Senate for confirmation.

“Stefan Pryor has the depth of experience and the drive to help me lead Rhode Island’s comeback,” Raimondo said. “Stefan’s economic development successes in Newark and in Lower Manhattan are a testament to his ability to lead the Department of Commerce in Rhode Island.  Our focus from day one will be on creating opportunities for everyone by making Rhode Island a place where companies want to invest and grow.”

As Rhode Island’s first Secretary of Commerce, Pryor will oversee activities related to commerce and economic development.

Pryor served as Deputy Mayor and Director of Economic and Housing Development for the City of Newark under Mayor Cory Booker from 2006-2011. In that capacity he and his team recruited new commercial tenants to Newark including Panasonic (North American headquarters), Manischewitz (world headquarters), Pitney Bowes, Mimeo.com, Bartlett Dairy, and Standard Chartered Bank.  Pryor played a key role in orchestrating plans for Newark’s first new downtown hotel in 40 years and first new office tower in 20 years.

Pryor was the President of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), which was created after the September 11, 2001 attacks to coordinate the economic revitalization of Lower Manhattan. Pryor served in a number of leadership capacities with LMDC before serving as President.  The LMDC coordinated the development of the master plan for the World Trade Center and the design for the September 11th memorial.  The agency also oversaw economic revitalization projects that have rejuvenated business, residential life, tourism and the arts in lower Manhattan.

Most recently, Pryor served as the Commissioner of Education in Connecticut, overseeing the State Department of Education.  During Pryor’s tenure, Connecticut’s graduation rates increased each year and Connecticut achieved the highest score in reading among participating states on the 12th grade National Assessment of Educational Progress in 2013, which also showed a significant narrowing of the black-white achievement gap in reading.

“I am looking forward to joining the Raimondo administration,” said Pryor. “Governor-elect Raimondo is focused on attracting and growing businesses in Rhode Island with the goal of making this state stronger for everyone.  I will work every day with that goal in mind and will aim to deliver results for Rhode Island.”

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