Dana Martinotti, Rob Menendez and Michelle Richardson were sworn in as new New Jersey commissioners to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey board on Friday. Kevin McCabe, who has served as a New Jersey representative since 2017, was reappointed to the 12-member board.
The Port Authority board of commissioners establishes the policies of the Port Authority and is responsible for adopting strategic plans, capital plans and budgets of the agency. The commissioners were nominated by Gov. Phil Murphy and confirmed by the New Jersey Senate.
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole and Vice Chairman Jeffrey Lynford applauded the additions to the board.
“Their impressive credentials and knowledge of the region will be a tremendous asset to the board and the millions of people we serve,” O’Toole said.
Lynford noted their historical significance.
“With today’s new appointments, for the first time in our history, the board will be more reflective of the growing diversity that continues to strengthen our region,” he said. “One-third of the board will include women, and that will help set a new standard for representation that we should strive to achieve and exceed in the future.”
Board members — six from each state — are appointed by the governors of their respective states and serve without pay for six-year terms.
Here’s a look at the three newcomers:
- Martinotti: She has served as a councilwoman for the borough of Cliffside Park since 2002. In Cliffside Park, she also serves as fire commissioner, EMS commissioner, liaison to the borough’s Public Library and has served as council president three times since 2005. Martinotti is the principal of Public School No. 5 and school district safety and security specialist.
- Menendez: Counsel at the law firm of Lowenstein Sandler. Before joining the firm, he served as an Eagleton executive fellow in the Port Commerce Department, working on various port initiatives and legal matters. Menendez began his career as a judicial intern for New Jersey Superior Court Judge William Martini. He is the son of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.).
- Richardson serves as executive director of the Hudson County Economic Development Corp. Previously, she worked as director of the Hudson County Department of Parks and Community Service, assistant commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development and with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Richardson also spent time at the Housing Authority of the City of Jersey City, and JPMorgan Chase & Co.
