Friday’s press conference to announce the appointment of Ioanna T. Morfessis as the state’s new director of economic development featured a noticeable dichotomy in the audience.

Most of the 200 or so in attendance—legislators, lobbyists, chamber of commerce leaders, state department directors—offered applause and welcomed Morfessis into her new role.

The remainder, and much smaller contingent of the audience, the press, was skeptical. Instead of applause and the hope of handshakes or elbow knocks, the press peppered Morfessis with question after question as to what her plan was to create jobs, what benchmarks should be used to determine whether she had earned her hefty $250,000 per year salary, and even whether or not she would be willing to forego a portion of her salary, given the economy.

Morfessis served as founder, president and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore from 1997 to 2003, which is credited with helping spur $10 billion in new economic activity in the Greater Baltimore economy, and assisting more than 25 companies to move or expand to the area.

From 2004 until now, Morfessis found and led a consulting firm named IO.INC, which provides advisory services to business, higher education, nonprofits and economic development organizations.

When asked how she would measure whether she has been successful Morfessis said, “the media will be clamoring to keep me.”

Governor Donald Carcieri, Hasbro Chairman Al Verrecchia and Morfessis herself made it clear that her hiring wasn’t a magic bullet that would assuredly turn the state’s economy around. Instead, they said her appointment would provide just one piece of a complex puzzle required to revitalize the economy.

Verrecchia said that “If we don’t improve our tax climate, education system, streamline our permitting process and tackle our budget deficit,” hiring a skilled, effective economic development director would do little to help the state.

In her comments, Morfessis talked about the need for Rhode Island to better advertise itself, recognize its strengths and positive attributes and “put itself on the map.”

“I see a state that doesn’t see itself and doesn’t see it’s assets,” Morfessis said in response to the question why she would come to the state if it was such an economic “train wreck.”

Morfessis promised to put together an economic development plan that contains clearly stated goals within her first 100 to 120 days in office. (Morfessis still needs Senate approval before she can begin.) She said the state has “a special blend of economic assets,” citing its higher education institutions; K-12 system, which she acknowledged can be improved; tourism; and “new knowledge economy.”

Governor Donald Carcieri, in a press release and in his comments, said that he believes Morfessis will help Rhode Island create jobs.

"Ioanna is considered one of the best economic development executives in the country, with a proven track record in attracting and retaining businesses, as well as helping businesses - small and large - find success. I am confident she will achieve the same results here, putting Rhode Island on stronger economic footing, with policies that create jobs, more fully engage the business community and accelerate the state's economic transformation."

After the press conference, House Majority Leader Gordon Fox, (D-Providence), Speaker William Murphy’s handpicked successor and likely favorite to takeover after next year’s elections, said that Morfessis will need to play several roles at once in her new position. Morfessis, he said, will need to be a coordinator, head cheerleader for the state and advocate.

Fox said he thought it was good that the state hired an outsider.

“She is not so close to the forest that she cannot see the trees,” said Fox.

When approached later, Morfessis agreed. Morfessis said that a successful economic development strategy would have everyone; the governor, the legislature, the business community and unions all on the same page.

“I don’t have a magic wand,” said Morfessis.

“My role is to bring all those people with varying interests together to achieve specific goals.”

Indeed, almost everyone who spoke at the press conference, from Carcieri to Verrecchia, Fox and Morfessis herself, stressed the need.

But as Lauren Slocum, president and CEO of the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce pointed out, that’s often easier said, than done. Slocum is fearful the new director could be hamstrung by politics and the system.

“I hope they allow her to be effective. So often the politicians and the system don’t allow for change,” she said.

Specifically, Slocum sees policies and procedures as “roadblocks.”

Slocum was impressed by Morfessis’ conviction.

“That she believes it can be done…if she didn’t believe it’s possible, it’s not going to happen.” And Slocum was also impressed that Morfessis kept her focus on the state.

“It wasn’t about her. It was about the state,” she said.