Sherrill taps Jain as next NJ transportation commissioner

The basics:

• Sherrill nominates Priya Jain as New Jersey’s next transportation commissioner
• Jain is a civil engineer and former Americas president at Mace Consult
• Priorities include safer roads, faster commutes, permitting reform and the Gateway Project
• Transportation advocates praise Jain’s infrastructure and project delivery experience

Then Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill announced Jan. 19 Priya Jain as her nominee for New Jersey’s next commissioner of the Department of Transportation.

Jain, a civil engineer and business professional, brings deeps experience in delivering complex programs across the state, the country and the world. She most recently served as president of Americas for Mace Consult, leading strategic growth and operations.

Sherrill says Jain will play a critical role in her administration in delivering faster commutes and safer roads; reduced barriers, delays and costs in the state’s permitting process; key infrastructure improvements ahead of the FIFA World Cup; continuing the momentum of the Gateway Project; and more.

“I am thrilled to announce Priya Jain as my nominee for commissioner of the Department of Transportation,” said Sherrill. “A proud Morris County resident, she has advanced large scale transportation and major projects across New Jersey and the globe and understands how to build new infrastructure from the ground up.”

A new approach

Jain said she is honored to be nominated for this role. She will succeed current Commissioner Francis O’Connor.

“New Jerseyans rely on our transit systems each and every day and as commissioner, I plan to work closely with the governor-elect in order to reduce commute times, make our roads and bridges safer, and improve access to transit all across the state,” said Jain. “We will cut through red tap and permitting delays in order to finish what we started and build the Gateway Tunnel, expand transit access in South Jersey, and repair aging roads across the state.”

Kris Kolluri, whom Sherrill tapped to continue leading NJ Transit as well as the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, said that the governor-elect is taking a different approach to transportation in the Garden State.

“And Priya is the perfect choice to help us reach those goals,” said Kolluri.

“With Priya at the helm and Kris overseeing both the Turnpike Authority and NJ Transit, we are going to reimagine and streamline how transit is run in the State of New Jersey,” said Sherrill. “Together, we’ll cut through red tape and make sure we’re fixing our aging roads and bridges, reducing delays on NJ Transit, expanding bus services to communities across the state, and continue progress on the Gateway Project.”

Kolluri added, “I look forward to Priya as we prepare for America’s 250th and FIFA World Cup, build the Gateway Tunnel, and improve access to mass transit options across the state.”

I am thrilled to announce Priya Jain as my nominee for Commissioner of the Department of Transportation.

As a civil engineer and business professional, Priya has deep experience delivering complex programs across New Jersey, the United States, and globally.

Together, we will… pic.twitter.com/FkieZigjBt

— Mikie Sherrill (@MikieSherrill) January 19, 2026

Working together

A number of transportation advocates and groups applauded the nomination.

“Commissioner-designee Jain brings a unique and impressive career to this role,” said New Jersey Alliance for Action President Jerry Keenan. “Her experience on major transportation and infrastructure projects, including Gateway, and her leadership in building effective project delivery teams will serve New Jersey well as we work to strengthen and modernize our transportation network.”

Keenan added, “For more than five decades, the Alliance has worked closely with New Jersey’s governors and the Department of Transportation. We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and working with Gov.-elect Sherrill and Commissioner-designee Jain to build the first-rate transportation network our state needs and deserves.”

“We are eager to work with Priya on strengthening New Jersey’s roads, bridges, and rails,” said David Rible, CEO, Utility and Transportation Contractors Association. “Whether it be commuters, travelers or goods and cargo, our state plays a vital role in keeping the country moving. That’s why it is so important that we invest our Transportation Trust Fund dollars into projects that update and strengthen our infrastructure.

“Priya brings a strong track record of advancing major infrastructure and transportation projects across New Jersey. We will look forward to being a willing partner with Priya as she gets to work at DOT. As always, our members are ready, willing, and able to assist in any way they can.”

UTCA also thanked O’Connor for his service.

“He helped shepherd in a new era for the Transportation Trust Fund while working with our industry to keep projects moving,” said Rible. “We greatly appreciate his service.”