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The Port Authority Board of New York and New Jersey has approved the appointment of Kathryn Garcia as the new Executive Director of the agency. Garcia brings three decades of experience in public administration, most recently serving as the Director of State Operations and Infrastructure in Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration. In this role, she was responsible for significant initiatives, including the implementation of the congestion pricing program in New York City and the development of the Gateway Hudson Tunnel project. Additionally, she held various senior positions in New York City’s government, including as Commissioner of the Department of Sanitation and as interim Chair of the New York City Housing Authority.
Garcia will lead the daily operations of the Port Authority starting February 9, 2026, and will implement the recently approved 10-year capital plan. Governor Hochul expressed her support for the appointment, emphasizing the importance of the Port Authority to the region’s economy. She highlighted that millions of people rely on the agency’s services daily and that Garcia possesses the necessary leadership skills to tackle the challenges of the coming years.
Appointment of the Deputy Executive Director
Additionally, Jean Roehrenbeck has been nominated as Deputy Executive Director. Roehrenbeck brings extensive experience in federal transportation policy and most recently served as Vice President at Summit Strategies, a national consulting firm. Previously, she worked at the U.S. Department of Transportation, where she served as the official Deputy Secretary for Government Affairs, among other roles. In this capacity, she led collaboration with Congress as well as with state and local governments.
Roehrenbeck will report directly to the Executive Director. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill emphasized the need for close collaboration between New York and New Jersey to achieve significant progress on major infrastructure projects such as the Gateway project. She expressed confidence that Roehrenbeck has the necessary experience and commitment to meet these challenges.
Focus on Infrastructure and Transparency
Kathryn Garcia stated that her goal is to ensure the mobility of people and goods while creating a positive experience for users of the Port Authority’s services. She thanked Governors Hochul and Sherrill for their support and emphasized the importance of collaboration with the agency’s staff.
Kathryn Garcia succeeds Rick Cotton, who served as Executive Director for 8.5 years. Under his leadership, significant reforms and renewals were advanced at the Port Authority, including the transformation of the region’s three major airports.
