Rhode Island Governor-elect Foulkes Names Transition Leadership, With Caitlin Molina as Executive Director
Rhode Island Governor-elect Helena Foulkes on November 5 named her transition leadership: Caitlin Molina as executive director, RJ Kermes as deputy director, former Governor Gina Raimondo senior adviser Jon Romano as senior adviser, Jon Carvalho as communications director, and Elisabeth Wales and Anthony Aquino as public-engagement liaisons. A full transition committee will be announced in the coming days.
Molina is a former deputy director of the state Department of Human Services who later worked at the consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal and as executive director of Providence Talks. Kermes was chief of staff to Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera and served as director of campaign operations for Foulkes's 2026 campaign. Carvalho, a former journalist, was press secretary to the mayor of New Bedford.
The team launched helenatransition.com, where Rhode Islanders can submit ideas, apply to serve in state government or on boards, and follow the incoming administration's plans. Foulkes has pledged to prioritize housing costs and state fiscal transparency.
The transition team says cabinet nominations will follow in batches once the committee is seated, with agency handover inventories coordinated item by item with Governor Dan McKee's office. Inauguration planning is being handled with the Secretary of State's office.
(Source: Rhode Island Governor-Elect Transition Team)
Source: Rhode Island Governor-Elect Transition Team
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图片来源：Wikimedia Commons「File:Rhode Island State House (2026)-L1001138.jpg」（Frank Schulenburg 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0） Image: Wikimedia Commons "File:Rhode Island State House (2026)-L1001138.jpg" (by Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0)
