Senate confirms several URI trustees and names behavioral health director despite objection to one nominee

The Rhode Island Senate on March 14 confirmed a slate of gubernatorial appointments and reappointments to the University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees and approved a new director for behavioral health services.

David Matarano was approved for a term expiring Feb. 1, 2025, by a recorded vote of 34–1 after committee support and floor debate. Committee chair Jerome McConnell urged the chamber to grant advice and consent, noting Matarano’s prior service to the university and professional background in investment banking. Senator Bell registered a firm floor objection, saying Matarano “was one of the main principals at Point Judith Capital” and alleging the firm secured a state investment that charged unusually high fees “going up to actually 2.5%” and underperformed, and that the firm later moved out of Rhode Island. Bell said those factors warranted opposing the nomination; the objection did not change the final vote.

The chamber also approved the reappointments of Courtney M. Nicolato (term to 02/01/2027), Cornelius Kerwin (term to 02/01/2025), and Robbie Luna (term to 02/01/2025). Supporters described Nicolato’s nonprofit leadership and Luna’s data‑science and cybersecurity expertise; each reappointment passed unanimously by voice or recorded vote as announced on the floor.

In a separate appointment, the Senate gave advice and consent to Richard H. LeClair as director of the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH). Chairman Miller and other senators highlighted LeClair’s decades of experience in behavioral health leadership, including more than three decades as president and CEO of Gateway Healthcare, work on certified community behavioral health clinic initiatives and past service on the Governor’s Council on Behavioral Health. The appointment was approved by a 35–0 vote; LeClair and family members were introduced on the floor after the vote.

What’s next: The appointments are effective as set by the governor’s letters of appointment and the applicable statutes for boards and executive‑branch directorships. The confirmed trustees will serve on the URI Board of Trustees; the new BHDDH director will assume leadership duties in that agency.