Hochul Taps Kathryn Garcia to Lead the Port Authority, Marking a New Era for Regional Infrastructure

Kathy Hochul named State Operations Director Kathryn Garcia Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive director, a major change. Next month, Rick Cotton leaves after nearly nine years. Garcia takes over.

Garcia’s nomination highlights regional infrastructure. She has worked on transportation projects like the Gateway Tunnel and the planned Interborough Express light-rail line to improve Brooklyn-Queens connectivity as state operations director since 2021. Garcia was smart, resilient, and forward-thinking for changing state protocols and helping New York recover from the outbreak, Hochul said.

Garcia’s appointment will help the Port Authority upgrade airports, boost transit, and create jobs, Hochul said. The governor said Garcia increased generational efforts and economic competitiveness.

Former director Rick Cotton liked Garcia. After years of working with her, Cotton praised her judgment, leadership, and ability to create challenging assignments. He believed she could preserve the agency’s top transportation infrastructure.

Governors of New Jersey and New York appoint the Port Authority board chair and executive director. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy renominated Chairman Kevin O’Toole, who has served since 2017. A neutral state Senate committee overwhelmingly endorsed O’Toole to the entire Senate on Dec. 1, praising his bi-state agency power expansion.

LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal A, and the monorail were rebuilt by O’Toole and Cotton. After Bridgegate a decade earlier, both Port Authority executives reestablished trust.

Garcia brings city and state experience to her new post. New York City’s sanitation commissioner oversaw 10,000 garbage, snow, and citywide cleanliness personnel before becoming governor. She organized approximately one million meals a day as interim NYC Housing Authority chair and “food czar” during COVID-19. Her 2021 NYC mayor bid failed.

Garcia oversaw Port Authority building rebuilds, unprecedented passenger numbers, and large infrastructure projects that affected millions of Northeast residents, commuters, and visitors.

Sources:
New York Governor’s Office
New Jersey Governor’s Office
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey