State Planning Council | Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning

State Planning Council

The Council oversees the Division of Statewide Planning's work. The State Planning Council adopts goals and policies related to planning, most of which are contained within individual plans, which are elements of the State Guide Plan. The Council has been designated as a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for transportation planning purposes and, as such, the Council adopts the Transportation Improvement Program, a four-year program of transportation investments. As the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee for the state, the Council maintains the state's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and reviews and ranks projects for funding consideration by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The body also advises the Governor on strategic planning matters.

Open Meetings Act Presentation - Department of the Attorney General PDF file, less than 1

State Planning Council Members

There are 27 members of the State Planning Council representing a range of interests. They have created three standing committees to assist in the oversight of continuing operations: the Technical Committee, the Transportation Advisory Committee and the RIGIS Executive Committee. The State Planning Council and its three (3) standing committees follow adopted Rules and Standards.

Jonathan Womer, Chair, RI Department of Administration, Director

Elizabeth Winangun, Vice Chair, Policy Director, Office of the Governor

Meredith Brady, Secretary, RI Division of Planning, Associate Director

Kristen Adamo, President and CEO of the Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau

Ernie Almonte, RI League of Cities and Towns, Executive Director

Peter Alviti, RI Department of Transportation, Director

Scott Avedisian, CEO, RI Public Transit Authority

Utpala Bandy, MD, MPH, RI Department of Health, Acting Director

Kyle Bennett, RI Housing Resources Commission, Chair

Jeanne Boyle, RI League of Cities and Towns, President's Designee

Jeanne Cola, Representative of Nonprofit Housing

Roy Coulombe, Public Member

Kelly Crawley, Governor’s Designee, Deputy Policy Director, Office of the Governor

Keri M. Cronin, Warren Town Council, Small Community

Roberto DaSilva, Mayor City of East Providence, Large Community

Environmental Justice - Pending Appointment

Terry Gray, RI Department of Environmental Management, Director

Christopher Kearns, RI Office of Energy Resources, Acting Commissioner

Marcus Mitchell, Small Business Representative

Joseph Mulligan III, City of Providence, Department of Planning and Development, Director

Marc Pappas, RI Emergency Management Agency, Director

M. James Riordan, AICP, Public Member

Randy Rossi, Town Manager, Smithfield -Midsize Community

Elizabeth M. Tanner, Esq., Secretary of Commerce

Carol Ventura, Executive Director, RI Housing

Jeff Willis, RI Coastal Resources Management Council, Executive Director

Scott Wolf, Grow Smart RI, Environmental Advocate

For more information about the State Planning Council, including meeting schedule, agendas and minutes, please visit the Secretary of State's website and search "planning council, state".

Nancy Hess

Interdepartmental Project Manager