The staff of RIPEC - the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council

About Us

RIPEC Staff

• • John C. Simmons

  • Executive Director
  • j_simmons@ripec.com
  • John C. Simmons has served as the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council since January 2008. Prior to his appointment as Executive Director, Mr. Simmons served as Chief of Administration for the City of Providence. He has also previously served as the City of Boston's Chief Finance Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Associated Industries of Massachusetts and Deputy General Treasurer for the State of Rhode Island. Mr. Simmons has a Master's of Public Administration from the University of Hartford and a bachelor's degree from Central Connecticut State University.

• • Ashley L. Denault

  • Director of Research
  • a_denault@ripec.com
  • Ashley L. Denault joined the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council in 2007. Originally from Boulder, Colorado, Ms. Denault earned her bachelor's degree in Political Economy and Psychology from Pitzer College in Claremont, California. She received her Masters of Public Policy with a focus on education and urban policy from Brown University in May 2007. Prior to her tenure at RIPEC, Ms. Denault worked in public relations, as an event coordinator, and as a copy editor. At RIPEC, she is responsible for a wide range of policy and legislative analysis including education, tax and budgetary policy.

• • Joanna R. Roberts

  • Policy Analyst
  • j_roberts@ripec.com
  • Joanna R. Roberts joined the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council in 2011. A native of Moorestown, New Jersey, Ms. Roberts received her bachelor's degree in Politics and International and Global Studies at Brandeis University. She spent two years teaching English as a foreign language in Prague, Czech Republic and travelled throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Ms. Roberts received her Master of Public Policy at Brown University with a focus on social policy and development in May 2010. Additional policy interests include economic development in post-communist states, U.S. immigration and security and promotion of healthy lifestyles.

• • Dylan M. Zelazo

  • Policy Analyst
  • d_zelazo@ripec.com
  • Dylan M. Zelazo joined the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council in 2012. Dylan earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Providence College in 2009, with minors in Public Administration and Business Studies. He went on to receive his Masters of Public Affairs, concentrating in Local Government Management, from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington, in 2011. Dylan’s primary policy interests center around municipal government, public pensions, infrastructure, and healthcare.

• • Marguerite Paredes

  • Administrative Assistant
  • m_paredes@ripec.com
  • Marguerite Paredes joined the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council's team in 1984 as the Secretary/Receptionist. She is responsible for a wide range of office procedures and maintains a positive working relationship with co-workers and the general public. Her work reflects impeccable judgment and dedication.