Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton to Retire in January 2026 After Transformative Tenure

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that Executive Director Rick Cotton will retire in January 2026, concluding an 8½-year tenure that reshaped the region’s major transportation assets and positioned the agency for continued long-term investment. Cotton’s service makes him the longest-tenured executive director since the 1940s.

Under Cotton’s leadership — in partnership with Chairman Kevin O’Toole — the Port Authority delivered some of the most ambitious infrastructure programs in its history, including the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty’s Terminal A, and the full rebuild of John F. Kennedy International Airport now underway. Cotton also guided the agency through the COVID-19 pandemic, major organizational modernization efforts, and the development of its proposed 2026–2035 capital plan.

Cotton said the decision to retire follows the completion of the agency’s next capital program and the significant progress achieved in modernizing key facilities. He emphasized the partnership between New York and New Jersey leadership and the agency’s focus on delivering world-class infrastructure as defining elements of his tenure.

Governors Kathy Hochul and Phil Murphy, along with Port Authority leadership, recognized Cotton’s work in driving regional economic competitiveness, elevating customer experience, and restoring confidence in the agency’s ability to deliver large-scale projects.

Cotton’s contributions include advancing multibillion-dollar airport terminal redevelopments, accelerating replacement of the Midtown Bus Terminal, expanding PATH capacity, strengthening seaport operations, and embedding new standards for sustainability, minority- and women-owned business participation, and innovation. His work helped position the Port Authority as a national model for airport transformation and regional mobility investment.

A successor will be named at a later date and work alongside Cotton to support the transition.