PROVIDENCE — Secretary of State-Elect Nellie Gorbea today announced that Robert B. Rock will become the Director of Elections for the Secretary of State’s office. Mr. Rock is currently the Town Administrator for Richmond, Rhode Island where he manages the town’s day-to-day operations and oversees its departments.
Prior to becoming Richmond’s Town Administrator, Mr. Rock was an Elections Assistant for Rhode Island’s Elections Division from 2006-2013, where he managed Rhode Island’s statewide voter registration system for federal, state and local elections. Mr. Rock was also the liaison between the Secretary of State’s Elections Division and the 39 cities and towns’ Boards of Canvassers and town clerk offices.
“Mr. Rock’s expertise in elections will help ensure that Rhode Island’s elections are fair, fast and accurate,” said Ms. Gorbea. “He brings a wealth of experience to the Director position that will enable him to start quickly and make it easy for all eligible Rhode Islanders to vote.”
“Secretary-Elect Gorbea could not have chosen a more qualified Director of Elections. It’s obvious that Rhode Island’s elections are in good hands with Secretary-Elect Gorbea and Mr. Rock,” said Rhode Island’s former Director of Elections (1997-2011), Janet Ruggiero.
“I am looking forward to helping Secretary-Elect Gorbea improve our democratic process. I share her commitment to preserving the integrity of our elections and protecting a person’s right to vote,” said Mr. Rock.
A resident of East Providence, Mr. Rock is a graduate of La Salle Academy and the University of Rhode Island. He is currently finishing his Master in Public Administration at the University of Rhode Island. Mr. Rock has also served on a number of election-related community activities such as the Voters Choice Commission and the Civic Education Commission as well as worked as a poll worker in East Providence. Mr. Rock currently serves on the East Providence Juvenile Hearing Board.