Local Leaders Join Staff Team at Cranston City Hall – Chris Paplauskas and Nicole Renzulli

New faces can be found at Cranston City Hall. But, both will be familiar to most Cranston residents.

This week, Chris Paplauskas, former member of the Cranston City Council and Nicole Renzulli, also a former Council Member and a current Planning Commission member, will join the staff at City Hall.

Chris Paplauskas has joined the City of Cranston as Deputy Chief of Staff, bringing extensive experience in municipal government, state policymaking, and constituent services to the position. He also serves in the Rhode Island General Assembly representing House District 15 and previously served multiple terms on the Cranston City Council, including as Council President.

Paplauskas succeeds Paul McAuley, who recently retired after serving as Deputy Chief of Staff, and will support the administration’s day-to-day operations and coordination across city departments.

“I am extremely honored to be asked by Ken Hopkins to join his administration as Deputy Chief of Staff,” Paplauskas said. “I love the City of Cranston and I am thrilled to serve its residents in this new capacity, while continuing to serve in my role as State Representative for District 15. Together, we’ll continue to build a brighter future for the community that we all cherish so deeply.”

Outside of public service, Paplauskas occasionally continues to fill in at Tommy’s Pizza on some Friday nights doing deliveries.

Paplauskas began working for the city this week

Paplauskas, Renzulli and Mayor Ken Hopkins

Second recognizable person in Cranston city management is Nicole Renzulli.

Nicole Renzulli has joined Ken Hopkins’ administration as Governmental Affairs and Communications Director, bringing extensive experience in municipal government, state service, and community engagement.

A graduate of Cranston High School West and Florida State University, she competed as a Division I student-athlete. Renzulli has worked in public administration and communications, including roles with a local television station, the Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner.

She previously served as a Cranston City Councilor at-large from 2021 to 2025 and currently serves on the Cranston City Planning Commission.

“I’m incredibly honored to be joining Mayor Hopkins’ administration,” Renzulli said. “Serving as his Governmental Affairs and Communications Director feels like a natural extension of the work I care about most: serving this community. I’ve spent years in City Hall, in council meetings, in planning meetings, and in the community listening to and learning from residents. When government is accessible and communication is clear, better decisions get made and good things happen faster. In this role, I look forward to working closely with the City Council and our state legislators to ensure Cranston’s voice is strong and clear, both in City Hall and at the State House. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work for the city we all love.”

Renzulli begins her role on Monday, January 12th.