This is the season to give thanks, and my list is long this year – there are so many extraordinary people at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to be thankful for.
Let me start with my colleagues on the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority, whom I served with this past year:
Vice Chairman Jeffrey H. Lynford, J. Christian Bollwage, Marie Therese Dominguez, Leecia Eve, Elizabeth Fine, Winston C. Fisher, George Helmy, Joseph Kelley, Gary LaBarbera, Kevin P. McCabe, and Michelle Richardson.
I also note the newest member of the Board, sworn-in this month, Fanny Cedeno. Welcome to the Board, and to the greatest public agency bar none.
I was humbled, last week, to be elected, once again, as Chairman of the Port Authority. I have always believed that public servants must earn the trust of their constituents – the public – who expect no less and deserve no less.
Serving now more than eight years as Chairman, I can say with confidence that my 11 colleagues on the Board follow that same credo. These are dedicated, hard-working ethical individuals who continue to raise the bar for excellence. They are setting the course for the Port Authority of today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
The historic $45 billion 2026-2035 Capital Plan, just approved by the Board this month, is testament to that. So, I am very grateful to be part of such a team, and to be chosen to be the leader of this team.
I would be nothing without them, and without Vice Chairman Jeffrey Lynford, who is more than my right arm – he is the conscience and soul of the Board. He makes the agency better, and I know, he has made me better at what I do at the Port Authority.
I said the list is long – Governor Phil Murphy, has been a stalwart supporter of the Port Authority, and he has challenged us for eight years to do more for New Jersey, and we have. Already, I know Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill will hit the ground running – she has ideas, she has vision, and I look forward to working closely and collaboratively with her.
My former colleagues in the State Senate remain trusted voices – I thank all of them for their support, particularly Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Senate Judiciary Chairman Brian Stack. Their friendship is a gift.
I am also grateful for the support on the New York side. Not just the New York Commissioners, but for New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who has been a great partner to the Port Authority.
All of us, work together for a common purpose – the purpose that spurred the creation of the Port Authority – to move the region.
State legislators, here in New Jersey where I proudly served for many years, but also in New York, have provided support and insight as the Port Authority has undertaken transformational projects of unmatched proportions – from new airports and bridges, to restoring and improving legacy infrastructure and PATH, to breaking ground this year on a new Midtown Bus Terminal.
The Port Authority is making “the big lifts” because we have a lot of help moving the weight.
That includes local officials, community leaders, private partners, and the public we serve.
I cannot name all the people who make my job more meaningful, but I would be remiss if I did not note one last time in 2025, how grateful I am for having Executive Director Rick Cotton as my partner these past eight-plus years. I wish him a well-earned, good and healthy retirement.
To the 8,000-person workforce of the Port Authority, and the leadership of the 23 unions that represents the majority of Port Authority workers, I say thank you, thank you, and thank you!
It is the season to give thanks, but I have much to be thankful for all year round. To all, I wish a happy holiday, and a joyous and healthy New Year.
As I say often, the best is yet to come.
Kevin J. O’Toole is the Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
