The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced that Rick Cotton, who has served as the executive director of the Port Authority since August 2017, will retire from the agency in January 2026.
A successor is expected to be announced in due course and will work closely with Cotton to ensure a smooth transition.
Cotton’s distinguished 8½-year tenure makes him the longest-serving executive director of the Port Authority since the 1940s. Under the leadership of Cotton and Chairman Kevin O’Toole, the agency has delivered an unprecedented wave of renewal and institutional reform, while successfully navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and one of the most difficult operating environments in its history.
The Port Authority today is a revitalized, high-performing agency with a clear mandate, a disciplined operating culture, and a transformative, forward-looking capital plan.
Cotton stated that working in partnership across two states, political lines, and every corner of this agency, they have made historic progress toward that goal. He also highlighted that the opportunity to help transform the facilities and elevate the travel experience for hundreds of millions of people has been deeply satisfying.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted that his leadership rebuilt public confidence in the capacity to deliver world-class infrastructure.
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole, stated he delivered once-in-a-generation projects that transformed critical transportation assets, strengthened the region’s economy, and enhanced connections across New York and New Jersey.
