Raimondo Makes RI Public Safety Appointments

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Gina M. Raimondo has announced appointments to lead the state's public safety agencies, including James Manni as superintendent of the State Police and Patricia Coyne-Fague as director of the Department of Corrections. Raimondo also named Marc Pappas to direct the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency.

Manni retired in 2015 after a quarter-century with the State Police, rising during his tenure to major and member of command staff. He has served as Narragansett town manager since July 2016 and co-chaired the governor's Gun Safety Working Group, convened in the wake of the mass school shooting in Parkland, Florida, to develop recommendations for stricter gun safety laws. Earlier, he spent 5 years with the U.S. Secret Service.

"Major Manni has had a long and respected career serving the state in law enforcement and local public service," Raimondo said in a statement. "He will undoubtedly continue the rich tradition of service at the Rhode Island State Police."

"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," Manni said in a statement. "I appreciate that Governor Raimondo has put her faith in me, and I am thankful to Colonel (Ann) Assumpico for her leadership of the State Police over the last two years."

Coyne-Fague has served as the acting director of the Department of Corrections since the retirement of Ashbel T. Wall in January 2018. She spent nearly two decades working for the department, beginning as a staff attorney and later rising to chief legal counsel and assistant director. Before joining the department she was a prosecutor in the attorney general's office.

"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.

Pappas, who began his career with RIEMA in 2009, has served as 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. Previously he spent 25 years in law enforcement including more than two decades with the Pawtucket Police Department.

"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 Manni and Coyne-Fague require state 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.

Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Fortune/Time Inc.