Updated at 7:13 PM ET
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Dec. 10 nominated Kathryn Garcia, the state’s chief operating officer, to be the next chief executive of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, citing her management track record and experience overseeing large infrastructure programs.
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The announcement follows the retirement announcement next month of Rick Cotton, who has led the bistate infrastructure development agency since 2017. During his tenure, Cotton oversaw major infrastructure improvements within the Port Authority’s responsibilities.
Improvements included the transformation of LaGuardia and improvements to John F. Kennedy International Airport, both in Queens, New York, and Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, NJ, along with other key transportation improvements.
Kathryn Garcia (Image/Facebook)
In a statement, Hochul said Garcia has been instrumental in the administration of major capital efforts across transportation and public facilities.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has yet to issue a statement, and the Port Authority board, which must formally approve the appointment, has not released a transition timeline.
Garcia previously served as New York City’s Sanitation Commissioner and has been in his current role since 2022, in charge of multiple emergency management and infrastructure initiatives across the state.
Cotton said in a separate notice from the agency that he would help ensure an orderly delivery of the agency’s multibillion-dollar capital program. The latest ten-year capital plan will begin in 2026 and will continue and expand on the work done under Cotton’s tenure, including the ongoing transformative airport redevelopment, PATH modernization and major interstate bridge and tunnel work.
