Mahoney Joins Pell Campaign as Policy Director

PROVIDENCE, RI – Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Clay Pell today announced the appointment of Kelly Mahoney as policy director for his campaign. Mahoney brings more than 10 years of policy development experience to the campaign.

“I’m thrilled to have Kelly join our team. She brings a wealth of experience in policy formulation to the campaign and will serve in a key role as we lay out a bold plan to move Rhode Island’s economy forward,” said Pell.

Most recently Mahoney served as director of policy for Governor Lincoln D. Chafee. In that role, Mahoney advised on a wide range of policy issues including economic development, environmental management, health care reform, energy resources supply, education transformation, workforce development, housing security, emergency management, law enforcement, government organization and accountability, and transportation infrastructure.

“Kelly has been a wonderful member of my team, and a key advisor on policy and legislative initiatives. She has a keen knowledge of the inner workings of local and state government and strong leadership skills, which she honed as the executive director of the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission,” Governor Chafee said. “Best wishes to Kelly in her new position.”

“I’m excited to embark on this new endeavor and look forward to working with Clay and the rest of his team on policies to revamp Rhode Island’s economy and spur job creation. I also want to thank Governor Chafee for providing me with the opportunity and privilege to serve as director of policy in the governor’s office,” said Mahoney. Prior to her role in the governor’s office, she served as policy director for the Rhode Island Department of Administration where she provided policy analysis and recommendations to the director. Mahoney also served as deputy director of policy and a senior policy analyst for the Rhode Island State Senate.

While working for the Senate, Mahoney provided policy support and legislative drafting for Senate Standing Committee Chairs including the Senate Committee on Corporations, the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture, and the Senate Committee on Government Oversight. Mahoney was the first executive director for the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission where she expanded and energized the nonprofit, multi-municipal planning organization that is now one of Rhode Island’s premiere regional planning commissions.