Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill continued making appointments and nominations for her cabinet, which includes roles in transportation, education and infant health.
Sherrill announced that Kris Kolluri, current president and CEO of NJ Transit, will retain his role at NJ Transit. She also nominated Kolluri as executive director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA).
This dual role will allow Kolluri to oversee the day-to-day operations of both agencies to unify strategy and ultimately improve commutes for the residents of New Jersey. Kolluri will take a $1 salary from the Turnpike Authority.
“I am excited to lead both NJ Transit and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority alongside Governor-elect Sherrill, who shares a desire to innovate and improve New Jersey’s transit systems,” said Kolluri.
“New Jersey’s success relies on the Turnpike and NJ Transit working together and by overseeing both agencies, particularly for a major security event like the World Cup, I’ll be able to ensure that we eliminate silos and are working in lockstep to provide better service to the people of New Jersey and those visiting our state.
“Gov.-elect Sherrill has been laser-focused on improving New Jersey’s transit systems since her time in Congress, and I know that her administration will share that same focus, for the World Cup and beyond.”
Gov.-elect Sherrill also announced Margo Chaly as her pick to be the next secretary of Higher Education. Chaly currently serves as the executive director of the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (NJHESAA), where she has spent the last half-decade helping families and students afford higher education.
Together, Chaly and Gov.-elect Sherrill will work to make New Jersey’s world-class higher education more affordable for all residents, ensure colleges and universities have the resources they need to thrive and expand New Jersey’s workforce.
“Thank you to Gov.-elect Sherrill for her trust in me and the opportunity to continue supporting higher education here in New Jersey,” said Chaly.
“While the Trump administration continues to cut funding that makes college affordable for students and guts research funding at our schools, it’s critical we support the thousands of New Jerseyans who want to pursue a college degree.
“I look forward to working with Gov.-elect Sherrill and our partners in the state legislature to make higher education more affordable and accessible for every New Jerseyan.”
Additionally, Gov.-elect Sherrill declared that Lisa Asare will continue as the president and CEO of the NJ Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (MIHIA), and the position will remain in the Gov.-elect’s cabinet.
Asare brings a depth of experience to the role, having held previous positions as deputy commissioner of health services within the New Jersey Department of Human Services and as assistant commissioner of the Division of Family Health Services at the New Jersey Department of Health.
“I am honored to continue to lead the NJ Maternal & Infant Health Innovation Authority. At MIHIA, we are focused not only on delivering physical care but addressing the social determinants of health, expanding the perinatal workforce, supporting research and data collection, and acting as an incubator for innovation in maternal and infant health,” said Asare.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to advance this work as part of the Sherrill-Caldwell administration because I know the governor-elect is committed to these same goals and has already demonstrated that community members have a seat at the table as we work to address health care disparities for communities of color across the state.”
Sherrill’s announcements follow her nomination of Aaron Binder to lead New Jersey’s Department of the Treasury, which is endorsed by the NJBIA.
