Michael Mello is vice president global government relations & U.S. business development for IGT, where he is responsible for protecting and expanding existing business and pursuing new business opportunities. He manages the company’s global network of government relations consultants and all international, federal, and state political efforts. Mello has been working with IGT in the government relations department since December 2006. For nearly 20 years, Mike Mello has had an active career in politics and government.
In 1994, Mello was named the district director in R.I. for U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy where he managed the congressman’s R.I. office and served as the chief liaison between the Rhode Island and Washington offices. From 1998-2002, he was the chief of staff to former Rhode Island General Treasurer Paul J. Tavares. While serving in the General Treasurer’s office, Mello was the principal advisor on all policy, planning, and strategy; and was responsible for managing nearly 100 employees and managers in the four departments of the Treasury.
From 2002-2006, Mello was the chief of staff to Providence Mayor David Cicilline. As the mayor’s top advisor, he supervised staff and operations for the city with a $550 million budget, more than 5,000 employees, and 176,000 residents. If 2006, he was named president of the Rhode Island Independent Higher Education Association before joining IGT in 2006 as the Senior Director of Global Government Relations.
He graduated from Roger Williams University with a bachelor’s degree in public administration.
