New York, NY – Acting on a recommendation by the Governors of New York and New Jersey, the Board of the Gateway Development Commission moved forward on the hiring process for a CEO today.
During the meeting, the first the Commission has held in person since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, Commissioners were also provided an update on the Hudson Tunnel Project, emphasizing the substantial progress the project has made over the last year.
In a joint reaction, Steven M. Cohen, New York Co-Chair of the Commission, Balpreet Grewal-Virk, New Jersey Co-Chair of the Commission, and Anthony R. Coscia, Amtrak representative and Vice Chair of the Commission, said: “We’re very gratified at the progress the Hudson Tunnel Project has made recently, and moving forward with a public process to hire a qualified, experienced leader in Kris Kolluri is another important step forward. Once on board, GDC’s CEO will spend every day making sure the project happens, and we finally deliver 21st Century rail infrastructure into, out of and through New York. We look forward to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement with Mr. Kolluri, and getting the Hudson Tunnel fully funded and under full construction.”
In its resolution regarding a CEO for GDC, the Commissioners found Mr. Kolluri to be qualified to be CEO. The process and need for the position were spelled out, and Mr. Kolluri’s recommendation for the position from the Governors of New Jersey and New York and Amtrak, and his endorsement by the Secretary of the US Department of Transportation, were highlighted. The Board voted to negotiate terms of Mr. Kolluri’s service, and to enter into an agreement with him to become CEO.
Staff highlighted significant developments on the Hudson Tunnel Project since the Commission’s last public meeting. Among these were the improved rating for the project that qualifies it for Federal funding, completing the regulatory requirements and permitting necessary to undertake full construction, and the first direct Federal funding allocation in the $100 million that was included for the Hudson Tunnel Project in the President’s FY ’23 Budget.
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