Gov. Donald Carcieri’s pick to run the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp. withdrew her nomination last week, citing a family member’s health issues, according to a press release.
Ioanna Morfessis’ nomination as executive director had already been approved by the EDC board and was awaiting Senate confirmation.
The EDC is a quasi-public agency that implements state economic development policies and provides incentives to businesses.
Carcieri had tapped Morfessis after a nationwide search. She is the president of IO Inc., an Arizona-based strategic consulting firm.
The governor said he had contacted state House and Senate leadership to discuss an “alternative plan” for the corporation that he expects to announce this week.
“Over the past year, through the work of my EDC review panel, the House and Senate leadership, and the business community, we have made a united commitment to improve our economic development strategy,” Carcieri said in the press release. “Rebuilding our economy and getting people back to work is our most important priority.”
