| Avedisian taps Carruolo as Chief of Staff, DePasquale to lead Planning Department |
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Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that he has appointed Mark Carruolo, the current acting co-chief of staff and the city’s longtime planning director, as his Chief of Staff. Avedisian has also appointed principal planner William DePasquale as the city’s new planning director. Both positions are effective immediately. “I am so pleased that Mark and Bill have agreed to take on these new roles,” Avedisian said. “They are experienced, knowledgeable and tireless in their work on behalf of the citizens of Warwick. In the 20 years I have been in public service, I have come to respect Mark and Bill for their professionalism, integrity and genuine desire to do what they think is in the best long-term interest of our community. I know they are looking forward to the challenges that come with their new positions, and I have no doubt that they will continue to serve the people of Warwick well.” In making the announcement, Avedisian also praised Department of Public Works director David Picozzi, who, with Carruolo, assumed the responsibilities as acting co-chiefs of staff in addition to the responsibilities of leading their respective departments upon the retirement of longtime chief of staff Barbara Caniglia this summer. “David leads one of the busiest departments in the city, and I would like to thank him publicly for his willingness, as always, to take on added duties on top of his already heavy workload,” Avedisian said. Carruolo was hired as a draftsperson in the Public Works Department in December of 1984 and was a senior planner/analyst when he was named principal planner in July 1993. He was appointed as the acting planning director by then-acting Mayor Gerald Gibbons in November 1999. Avedisian appointed him planning director when he took office in February 2000. A lifelong Warwick resident, Carruolo is a graduate of Bishop Hendricken High School and the University of Rhode Island, where he earned a degree in Urban Affairs and Political Science. He has also attended courses in the Masters in Community Planning program at URI. Carruolo is a member of the American Planning Association and is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners. Carruolo recently completed his service on the Governors Regulatory Review Task Force and has been serving on the State’s Transportation Advisory Committee and the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Natural Heritage Preservation since 2001. DePasquale, a Warwick native raised in the Norwood neighborhood, began working for the city as an associate planner in 1989 and served as a senior planner/analyst until being named principal planner in 1998. A graduate of Pilgrim High School, DePasquale earned a degree in geography and marine affairs from the University of Rhode Island and has pursued graduate studies in the Community Planning and Area Development program there. A member of the American Planning Association, he is also certified in computer assisted design and drafting. During his tenure in the Planning Department, DePasquale has specialized in airport land use issues and has been responsible for reviewing and preparing the city’s responses to the numerous Environmental Impact Statements that have been issued in the past decade as part of the proposed expansion of T.F. Green Airport. He also serves as the staff and technical advisor for the Warwick Zoning Board and specializes in the interpretation of zoning and land use regulations. He is AICP-certified and well-versed in the National Environmental Policy Act. In addition to appointing these two qualified individuals to key positions in the City, these personnel changes will result in excess of $100,000 in annual savings to the City of Warwick. -- 30 -- |
