Keith Stokes, who resigned under fire as executive director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp. in the aftermath of the 38 Studios fiasco, has re-emerged as president of strategic economic planning and development at Providence lobbying organization the Mayforth Group.
Under Stokes, the ECD in 2010 issued a $75 million loan guarantee, backed by Rhode Island’s moral obligation, to 38 Studios, a video-game company owned by former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in June, leaving state taxpayers on the hook.
Stokes, who began his new position Tuesday, will split his time between Mayforth’s Providence and Washington offices as the company builds out nationally.
Mayforth’s head is Rick McAuliffe, a former aide to Sen. Jack Reed when Reed was a congressman. McAuliffe was also chief of staff for former Lieut. Gov. Charles Fogarty.
