NEW YORK (TIP): Kris Kolluri, an Indian American infrastructure management expert, has been tapped to lead New York and New Jersey’s Gateway Program, including redevelopment of the Portal North Bridge and a new Hudson River tunnel. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy jointly announced the nomination of Kolluri as the CEO of the Gateway Development Commission, on May 6. The Commission is a partnership between New York, New Jersey and Amtrak that coordinates delivery of the Gateway Program with its partner agencies, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and NJ TRANSIT.

Kolluri will be considered by the Gateway Development Commission’s Board at its next upcoming meeting, anticipated on May 16, according to a press release from the New York governor’s office.

“With his extensive resume, Kris Kolluri brings an extraordinary record of public service and I am confident he will serve New York and New Jersey well as CEO of the Gateway Development Commission,” Hochul said.

“The Gateway Hudson Tunnel is critical to the Northeast corridor serving more than 800,000 passengers daily and is a key component of our plan to build back stronger than ever,” she said.

“Moving the Gateway Program, and specifically the Hudson Tunnel Project, forward is critically important for our region, and I am confident that Kris Kolluri’s leadership will help us realize these much-needed projects,” said Murphy. “Kris has years of infrastructure management and operations experience, as well as years of government experience, that will be vital as we continue working with our federal partners to get the Gateway Program fully funded and completed.” “I am honored to be nominated by Governors Phil Murphy and Kathy Hochul to be Chief Executive Officer of the Gateway Development Commission. I look forward to meeting the Commissioners and supporting their important work,” said Kolluri.

“There is a clear and present opportunity and desire among federal, state, and bi-state partners to advance the Hudson Tunnel Project and the Gateway Program,” he said. “In the short term, the HTP is poised to move forward and the Commission has a critical role in overseeing the successful delivery of this project.”

“Should my candidacy be approved by the Commissioners, I commit to being singularly focused on ensuring that this collaborative effort results in HTP’s fruition,” said Kolluri. Kolluri served as the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) from January 2006 until December 2008.

In his capacity as DOT Commissioner, Kolluri served as Chairman of NJ TRANSIT, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority. While at DOT, Kolluri played an instrumental role in helping develop a funding strategy to meet New Jersey’s contribution towards the ARC project, a nationally significant rail tunnel project that would have connected New Jersey and New York.

At DOT, Kolluri oversaw a total of 17,000 employees, more than $3.6 billion in capital funds, and over $2 billion in operating funds.

Kolluri currently serves as the President & CEO of Camden Community Partnership, Inc., an economic and community development non-profit. He previously served as the CEO of the Rowan University/Rutgers – Camden Board of Governors (Joint Board).

Prior to his appointment as CEO of the Joint Board, he served as Counsel at the law firm of Windels Marx Lane and Mittendorf, where he advised clients on transportation and economic development matters.

Kris also served as the CEO of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority from December 2008 to January 2010.

Before serving as DOT Commissioner, Kris specialized in redevelopment and transportation law as an attorney at Parker McCay of Marlton. Kris has a Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University – Camden and a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University. He lives in Haddonfield, New Jersey.