Ken Fisher discusses the resurgence of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey under executive director Rick Cotton in amNY. Cotton has been praised for his transformative infrastructure projects, including an $8 billion rebuild of the regional LaGuardia Airport and a $19 billion reconstruction of John F. Kennedy International Airport, largely financed through public-private partnerships. These upgrades, along with improvements at Newark Liberty International Airport, modernization of port facilities, and progress on the long-delayed 42^nd Street bus terminal, elevated the region’s transportation network to world-class standards. His tenure also navigated challenges such as the aftermath of Chris Christie’s “Bridgegate,” leadership transitions, and the pandemic’s severe impact on travel and freight.

Cotton’s leadership was pivotal in revitalizing an agency that had historically been seen as a public-sector crown jewel. Despite political complexities and ambitious timelines, he delivered projects without major controversy while advancing diversity initiatives and growing the Port Authority’s asset value from $46 billion to $63 billion. Generating $7 billion annually, the agency improved experiences for millions of travelers and commuters, setting a benchmark for public infrastructure management. Cotton’s late-career pivot from law and broadcasting to infrastructure underscores the importance of effective leadership in translating policy into tangible results.

To read more, click here.