PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Marcel A. Valois, an economic-development professional with decades of experience working in Rhode Island, won unanimous approval Tuesday from the Senate Commerce Committee to lead the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation.
The vote followed comments from five people who offered resounding approval for Governor Chafee's nominee to lead the agency, which came under intense scrutiny a year ago as the agency-backed 38 Studios video-game company collapsed into bankruptcy.
Valois spoke enthusiastically about getting straight to work in an agency he has led once before, from 1995 to 1997, under then-Gov. Lincoln Almond.
The approval comes at a time when there's much debate in Rhode Island's political community about what to do with the agency whose mission is to create jobs and stimulate Rhode Island's economy.
Asked by committee vice chairman Sen. William A. Walaska for his thoughts on reforming the agency, Valois said he cannot predict how deliberations will go, but he said he believes moving the agency forward trumps spending "way too much" time talking about restructuring.