The basics:
- Garcia begins as executive director of Port Authority
- Board approves Roehrenbeck as deputy executive director
- Garcia succeeds Rick Cotton, who retired after more than eight years
- New leadership takes charge as agency advances 10-year capital plan
Kathryn Garcia began her tenure as executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Feb. 9. She assumed the post after the agency’s board approved her nomination, as well as that of Jean Roehrenbeck as deputy executive director, during its Feb. 5 meeting.
Garcia is a longtime public administrator. She previously served as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s director of state operations and infrastructure. In that role, she oversaw major projects including congestion pricing in New York City, the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project, the redevelopment of JFK Airport and other large-scale initiatives.
Earlier in her career, she held senior roles in New York City government, including sanitation commissioner, interim chair of the New York City Housing Authority and as the city’s COVID-19 food czar.
At the Port Authority, Garcia takes charge of day-to-day operations across the agency’s airports, bridges, tunnels, PATH rail and seaports. She also begins leading execution of the agency’s newly approved 10-year capital plan.
Garcia succeeds Rick Cotton, who retired after more than eight years in the role.
‘An extraordinary public servant’
“There is no better public servant than Kathryn Garcia, and I am delighted that the entire region will now benefit from her leadership as she steps into this new role,” said Hochul. “With major projects like the Midtown Bus Terminal, generational renovations at all three NYC-area airports, and major improvements to PATH service all in the works, I know that Kathryn will provide the leadership and vision we need to take the Port Authority to new heights.”
“Kathryn Garcia is an extraordinary public servant and the right leader to guide the Port Authority at this pivotal moment,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Over the past several weeks, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Kathryn, and her command of complex operations, her collaborative leadership style, and her unwavering commitment to accountability have been evident at every step. She brings a rare combination of vision and execution that will be essential as we deliver the largest capital plan in the agency’s history.”
More about Roehrenbeck
Roehrenbeck brings extensive experience in federal transportation policy government affairs. She most recently served as a vice president at national government affairs and strategic consulting firm Summit Strategies. Previously, Roehrenbeck served at the U.S. Department of Transportation under Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Her time at USDOT includes serving as acting assistant secretary for governmental affairs. In that capacity, she led the department’s engagement with Congress as well as state and local governments, and managed all governmental affairs operations.
Earlier in her career, Roehrenbeck was chief of staff to then-U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey.
As deputy executive director, Roehrenbeck will report directly to the executive director.
Day one energy: our new Executive Director is on the job and ready to deliver for the region.
Welcome Kathryn! pic.twitter.com/g96Wa8pCeJ
— Port Authority of NY & NJ (@PANYNJ) February 10, 2026
Her appointment also marks the resolution of a dispute between Hochul and Sherrill over control of the bistate agency’s top leadership posts.
Hochul nominated Garcia in December to replace Cotton, while Sherrill, newly sworn in as governor, insisted on naming a deputy executive director. Cotton had operated without one.
The Port Authority’s traditional structure has aligned the executive director with New York and the deputy with New Jersey. The scheme has long been viewed as a potential source of internal conflict, particularly in the wake of the 2013 Bridgegate scandal.
NJ and NY building bridges
The impasse was resolved after the two governors agreed to move forward with both nominations. Roehrenbeck will report directly to Garcia, who will answer directly to the agency’s 12-member board of commissioners.
That arrangement was designed to ensure unified leadership and avoid the kind of siloed management that had caused problems in the past.
The board’s approval cleared the way for the new leadership team to take office and focus attention on advancing the aforementioned major projects and, of course, on the day-to-day operations of the bi-state agency.
“The Port Authority succeeds when New York and New Jersey work together with focus and purpose,” said Sherrill. “And the coming years must bring meaningful progress on the two biggest transportation infrastructure projects in the country: the Gateway Project and the rebuild of the Midtown Bus Terminal.
“Jean Roehrenbeck has the experience, judgment, and commitment to public service that this moment demands. I look forward to working closely with Kathryn, Jean, and the entire leadership team to modernize our infrastructure, improve reliability, and keep costs down for commuters and taxpayers.”
Bringing on ‘value experience’
O’Toole added, “Jean Roehrenbeck will bring valuable experience in transportation policy and intergovernmental affairs and the agency’s mission. Together, working with the Board of Commissioners and our dedicated workforce, this leadership team will continue building a more effective, transparent, and forward-looking Port Authority for the region and the millions of people and businesses who rely on us every day.”
“The Port Authority is in a strong place both financially and operationally. That’s a credit to our leadership team and our 8,000 employees who perform the work each day and night,” said Jeffrey Lynford, vice chair of the Port Authority Board of Commissioners. “Kathryn and Jean bring the experience, judgment, and the spirit of collaboration to build on that foundation, and they’ll do so in close partnership with the Board.
“We’re fully aligned on continuing to execute and deliver on key priorities for the region.”
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