Governor Carcieri has named Gary S. Sasse director of the Rhode Island Department of Administration.

Sasse, a former longtime head of the Rhode Island Public Expenditures Council, now serves as the state's first-ever director of the Department of Revenue, a job he's held since last January and will continue to do alongside his new post until a replacement is found.

He'll replace outgoing $143,011-a-year DOA Director Jerome Williams, who has elected to leave state government early next month to become a senior vice president and chief business and administration officers at Roger Williams University.

In a statement released a few minutes ago, Carcieri said he was pleased that Sasse agreed to take the job. "With more than 30 years of experience in crafting and analyzing sound fiscal policies and sustainability for government programs, Gary has earned the respect and trust of legislators, the media, and the public alike, and is a vital part of the team as we navigate the State through this financial crisis," the governor said.

The same statement quotes Williams praising his successor. "It's has been a pleasure working closely with Gary for the past year..." he said.

Sasse earned a B.A. in political science from Florida State University and an M.S. in public administration from the University of Missouri, according to the administration.

The Providence Journal reported last night on this site that Sasse was a candidate for the job. He could not immediately be reached for comment this afternoon

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