NEW YORK (WABC) — More than a decade of power struggles over the Port Authority is set to end Thursday when Kathryn Garcia is confirmed as the agency’s new executive director.
Governors Kathy Hochul and Mikie Sherrill struck a deal to have Garcia lead the dual-state agency.
While Gov. Hochul nominated Garcia in December, her confirmation was held up because Gov. Sherrill, who just took office last month, wanted to fill the position of deputy executive director, which was vacant since the Bridgegate scandal in 2013
Sherrill’s insistence on reoccupying the position with Jean Roehrenbeck, a former federal transportation official who once was her chief of staff, has held up filling both spots.
Now, the Port Authority board is expected to confirm both at Wednesday’s board meeting in Lower Manhattan.
Roehrenbeck will report to Garcia, who will answer to the Port Authority’s 12-member board of commissioners. Before Bridgegate, the two would have reported to their respective governors.
Garcia will succeed Rick Cotton, who is retiring after more than eight years as Port Authority executive director.
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