Commissioner Kevin J. O’Toole, a former New Jersey state senator, was elected Aug. 3, as the 20th Chairman of the agency’s Board of Directors by his fellow commissioners, succeeding Chairman John Degnan who had served in that post since July 2014.
The Port Authority’s Board also approved the selection of Rick Cotton, a former top executive at NBC Universal who most recently served as Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Special Counsel for Interagency Initiatives, as the agency’s new executive director. Mr. Cotton replaces Executive Director Pat Foye, who had held the job since November 2011, effective 8 a.m. Aug. 14.
In addition to the elections of Chairman O’Toole and Executive Director Cotton, the Board also paid tribute to the exemplary public service provided by Mr. Degnan and Mr. Foye during their tenures with the agency.
“This is one of the most critical periods in the Port Authority’s storied history as we continue to rebuild and overhaul some of the region’s most vital transportation assets, including the Port Authority Bus Terminal, PATH rail system, George Washington Bridge, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty airports and the Gateway passenger rail tunnel project,” Chairman O’Toole said. “I look forward to working cooperatively with this board to make sure we deliver the projects that will improve the lives of everyday commuters, while enhancing the region’s economy.”
“It is vital that the Port Authority have the ambition to provide world-class transportation infrastructure to our region,’’ said Executive Director Cotton. “Assuring that our facilities – the airports, including access to the airports, the bus terminal, our port facilities, bridges, tunnels and PATH – meet best-in-class facility standards and employ global best practices must be the Port Authority’s overarching goal. Only if we measure ourselves against the best can the Port Authority help power this region’s economy and continue to improve the movement of people and goods throughout the region, while creating jobs and growth. I look forward to working with the Board and the 7,000 men and women of this agency to deliver on our mission of meeting the region’s transportation needs cost effectively and efficiently.”
Among the key projects the new leadership team will focus on in the Port Authority’s 10-year capital plan are siting and building a replacement Port Authority Bus Terminal on Manhattan’s West Side, creating a brand new, unified LaGuardia Airport with new AirTrain access, transforming John F. Kennedy International Airport, building a new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport and extending the PATH rail line to Newark Liberty from downtown Newark. Goals will include continuing to partner with the private sector where possible, as well as controlling costs, bringing projects in on time and enhancing the overall customer experience.
Chairman O'Toole joined the Port Authority Board in July, following his nomination by Governor Chris Christie and resigning his state Senate seat from Essex County, New Jersey.
Chairman O’Toole is a founding and managing partner of O'Toole Scrivo, a law practice encompassing toxic tort, environmental law, risk management, class actions, complex litigation, and corporate investigations. In addition to his law practice, Chairman O’Toole had a long career in public service at the local and state level in New Jersey. After serving in elective positions in Cedar Grove, he was first elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1995 and served until May 2001. He then served in the state Senate from May 2001 until January 2002. He was elected again to the General Assembly in 2001 and re-elected twice. In 2007, he was elected to the state Senate and re-elected in 2011 and 2013. He left his seat on July 1, 2017.
