Xaykham “Xay” Rexford Khamsyvoravong — pronounced “Sigh” — is a native Rhode Islander and son of a Laotian refugee. Xay has led a successful eighteen-year career as a finance and public service professional.

Following his election in 2022, Xay was unanimously selected by his peers to serve as Council Chair and Mayor. In 2024 he was re-elected to the City Council as a Counilor At-Large

During Xay’s first two years in office, the City has held the line on taxes for residents, made major headway on middle-class and workforce housing, increased investment in our schools, and refocused the City on building more resilient infrastructure.

By raising Newport’s profile in the national dialogue about infrastructure, and working with his extensive network, Xay has helped the City secure over $40MM in commitments from the state and federal government.

Over the course of his career Xay’s worked with communities nationwide to help them reach their financial goals — from stabilizing public employee pensions, to renewing infrastructure, to rebuilding schools. He has a track record of addressing hard challenges head-on.

As deputy chief of staff to Rhode Island’s state treasurer, he helped to successfully navigate the financial crisis of 2008. He also served as chairman of one of the region’s largest water utilities for nearly a decade.

Prior to being elected to the City Council, Xay worked as a Managing Director in investment management, helping public pension plans to improve their funding ratios by investing in American public infrastructure. Previously, Xay spent nearly a decade at Webster Bank, where he worked with state and local governments throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic as Senior Vice President and Head of Government Lending.

For his impressive work in the private and public sectors, Xay has been named by Rhode Island Monthly, the Providence Journal, and Providence Business News as one of Rhode Island’s most impactful young leaders. In addition, he’s been featured by national outlets, including the New York Times, Boston Globe and NPR for his public service.

Xay is a double graduate of Brown University and holds a law degree from Roger Williams University. He resides with his spouse Alicia — and their cat Gracie — in Newport’s Point neighborhood.