Port Authority Approves Kathryn Garcia and Jean Roehrenbeck for Top Posts
NEW YORK—The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners on Feb. 5 approved the nomination of Kathryn Garcia to serve as the agency’s next executive director.
Ms. Garcia brings three decades of experience across government, most recently serving in the administration of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul as director of state operations and infrastructure, where she oversaw major initiatives like the launch of New York City’s congestion pricing program, New York’s nuclear power moonshot, the Interstate 81 Viaduct project in Syracuse, N.Y., the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project, the Interborough Express, and the redevelopment of John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Previously, she served in senior roles in New York City government, including as commissioner of the city Department of Sanitation, interim chair of the New York City Housing Authority, and as the city’s COVID-19 food czar, where she distributed 130 million meals to New Yorkers during the pandemic.
As executive director, Ms. Garcia will lead day-to-day operations across the Port Authority’s air, rail, bridge, tunnel and seaport operations. She will be responsible to deliver the recently approved, 10-year Port Authority capital plan. Her first day as executive director was this past Monday, Feb. 9.
New York Gov. Hochul noted that “Millions of people in both New York and New Jersey rely on the Port Authority every day, with its seaport, rail, roadway crossings, and airports serving as the backbone of the nation’s largest economy. This region demands a Port Authority that can continue to deliver big things while upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability. 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.”
The agency’s Board of Commissioners also approved the nomination of Jean Roehrenbeck to serve as deputy executive director. Ms. Roehrenbeck brings extensive experience in federal transportation policy government affairs. She most recently served as a vice president at Summit Strategies, a national government affairs and strategic consulting firm.
Previously, Ms. Roehrenbeck served at the U.S. Department of Transportation under Secretary Pete Buttigieg, including as acting assistant secretary for governmental affairs, where she led the department’s engagement with Congress and state and local governments and managed all governmental affairs operations.
Ms. Garcia assumes the role of executive director following the retirement of Rick Cotton, who served in the role for 8.5 years. Under the leadership of Cotton and Chairman Kevin O’Toole, the agency has delivered an agenda of institutional reform and historic renewal of the Port Authority’s core assets, advancing major projects like the $50-billion transformation of the region’s three airports.
Published: February 17, 2026.