Saul Kaplan, executive director of the R.I. Economic Development Corporation, chairman of the Quonset Development Corporation and Slater Technology Fund and the governor’s Executive Counselor on Economic Growth and Community Development, “has decided to return to the private sector,” Gov. Donald L. Carcieiri said.

Today will be Kaplan’s last day on the job, state officials said. The governor accepted his resignation this morning and named EDC Deputy Director J. Michael Saul to serve as the agency’s interim executive director.