The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners approved the nomination of Kathryn Garcia to serve as the agency’s next executive director.
As executive director, Garcia will lead day-to-day operations across the Port Authority’s air, rail, bridge, tunnel, and seaport operations and will deliver the recently approved 10-year Port Authority $45 billion capital plan. Garcia’s first day as executive director will be Monday, Feb. 9.
Garcia brings three decades of experience across government, most recently serving in the administration of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul as director of state operations and infrastructure, where she oversaw major initiatives like the launch of New York City’s congestion pricing program, New York’s nuclear power moonshot, the Interstate 81 Viaduct project in Syracuse, the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project, the Interborough Express, and the redevelopment of John F. Kennedy International Airport. Hochul nominated Garcia for the executive director’s position on Dec. 9.
Previously, Garcia served in senior roles in New York City government, including as commissioner of the city Department of Sanitation, interim chair of the New York City Housing Authority, and as the city’s COVID-19 food czar.
Garcia assumes the role of executive director following the retirement of Rick Cotton, who served in the role for 8.5 years. Under the leadership of Cotton and Chairman Kevin O’Toole, the agency has brought reform and historic renewal of the Port Authority’s core assets, advancing major projects like the $50 billion transformation of the region’s three airports, including a new LaGuardia, a rebuilt John F. Kennedy International Airport, the new Terminal A at Newark Liberty and a replacement for AirTrain Newark.
“Keeping people and goods moving is essential to our economy and our daily lives. As Port Authority executive director, my goal is to not only meet that responsibility, but to strive to deliver a positive experience for New Yorkers and New Jerseyans,” said Kathryn Garcia.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Rick Cotton on implementing major infrastructure projects, and I look forward to building on this momentum as well as continuing his legacy of transparency and stability at an agency relied upon by millions of people.”
The agency’s board of commissioners also approved the nomination of Jean Roehrenbeck to serve as deputy executive director.
Roehrenbeck most recently served as a vice president at Summit Strategies, a national government affairs and strategic consulting firm. Previously, Roehrenbeck served in the U.S. Department of Transportation under Secretary Pete Buttigieg, including as acting assistant secretary for governmental affairs, where she led the department’s engagement with Congress and state and local governments and managed all governmental affairs operations.
Earlier in her career, Roehrenbeck was chief of staff to then- Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey in the House of Representatives.
“The Port Authority succeeds when New York and New Jersey work together with focus and purpose,” said New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill. “And the coming years must bring meaningful progress on the two biggest transportation infrastructure projects in the country: the Gateway Project and the rebuild of the Midtown Bus Terminal. Jean Roehrenbeck has the experience, judgment, and commitment to public service that this moment demands.”
