NRBP Honors Thirteen Industry Leaders at the 2026 Transportation Awards Breakfast

Group photo of the 2026 awardees along with Chairman O'Toole, Commissioner Jain, and members of NRBP's Board of Directors​ (photo credit: NRBP/KingsLikeness LLC)

Newark, NJ (May 13, 2026) — The Newark Regional Business Partnership recently welcomed business, government, and transportation sector leaders to its 2026 Transportation Awards Breakfast, hosted at the Best Western Robert Treat Hotel in Newark. Presented in collaboration with NRBP’s Transportation Council, the annual program recognizes professionals, organizations, and projects that are advancing mobility, infrastructure, economic growth, and regional connectivity throughout Greater Newark and beyond. This year’s event continued NRBP’s tradition of honoring both executive leadership and frontline transportation professionals whose work keeps the region moving every day.
 
Featured remarks were delivered by Kevin O'Toole, Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Priya Jain, newly appointed Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
 
During his remarks, Chairman O’Toole emphasized the importance of regional collaboration and public service in advancing transportation infrastructure and economic opportunity throughout the region. “If Newark is doing well, the state will do well, New York will do well, and so will the region,” O’Toole said.
 
He also highlighted the deep commitment of the transportation workforce across agencies, noting that long-tenured professionals reflect a strong culture of public service and institutional dedication. At the same time, he underscored the importance of inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in transportation and infrastructure, calling attention to the need to cultivate emerging professionals who will carry forward the region’s mission-driven work. He pointed to Ryan Hatch, one of this year’s honorees, who has been with the agency for six years and has already made significant contributions, as an example of next gen talent making an impact in the sector. He concluded by addressing the broader transportation community across the Port Authority and partner agencies, stating, “What you’re doing is more than a job; it’s a mission. Thank you for being part of this mission and dream.”
 
Commissioner Jain followed Chairman O’Toole and highlighted the interconnected nature of the region’s transportation systems, underscoring the importance of coordination, transparency, and innovation in meeting the region’s evolving infrastructure needs. She noted that fragmented decision-making and uncertainty in project delivery can have real economic consequences, emphasizing the importance of improving responsiveness and accountability across government operations.
 
To advance that goal, she pointed to new tools such as the state’s Permitting Dashboard, designed to provide real-time visibility into infrastructure project status and improve transparency for stakeholders.
 
She also highlighted the scale of upcoming regional coordination efforts, including preparations for upcoming FIFA World Cup games, calling it one of the largest transportation operations the state has ever managed. Jain noted that the event will require extensive cross-agency collaboration to ensure travel remains safe, reliable, and predictable, supported by tools such as New Jersey’s travel demand toolkit and coordinated regional planning efforts. “People do not experience transportation in a segmented way. They experience the journey,” Jain said.
 
Following remarks from the featured guest speakers, the program turned to the recognition of this year’s honorees, celebrating individuals whose leadership and service continue to advance the region’s transportation network.
 
2026 Career Achievement Honorees

• Mary K. Murphy, Director, Planning and Regional Development, PANYNJ
• Louis Millan, Sr. Program Director – Capital Planning, NJ TRANSIT

 
2026 Leadership Honorees

• Parth Oza, Assistant Commissioner, Capital Program Management, NJDOT
• Rebecca L. Scanlon, Deputy Director, Right of Way & Access Management, NJDOT
• Anthony Fevola, Chief Engineer, NJ Transit Corp.
• William Bisirri, Deputy Chief Engineer, NJ Transit Corp.
• Jon Gooda, Vice President, Newark Hub, United Airlines
• Darlene Del Rosario, Director, Station Operations Center and Move Team, United Airlines
• Jeannie Kwon, Vice President, Mega Program Development & Coordination and Major Stations, Amtrak
• Jessica Posner, Capital Construction Manager, Amtrak
• Ralph J. D’Apuzzo, Assistant Director, Aviation Redevelopment, PANYNJ
• Ryan Hatch, Program Director, AirTrain Newark Replacement, PANYNJ
• Zoe Baldwin, Vice President, State Programs, Regional Plan Association

 
The event was sponsored by United Airlines as part of NRBP’s Transportation Series.
 
“United is honored to sponsor NRBP’s Transportation Series and support programming that highlights both the opportunities and challenges facing the transportation sector,” said Monica Slater Stokes. “Bringing together leaders from across industries is essential to advancing innovation, strengthening infrastructure, and ensuring the continued success of the Greater Newark region. We are also proud to recognize this year’s Transportation Awards honorees for their leadership and contributions to the sector and to the region.”
 
Additional event sponsors: AECOM, GFT, HNTB Corporation, InGroup, Port Authority of NY & NJ, Radin Consulting, Inc., and Tonio Burgos & Associates.
 
The Transportation Series includes the Transportation Awards Breakfast (held each May) and the Transportation Symposium (held each November). Through these programs and more, NRBP continues to be a leader in convening public- and private-sector partners to strengthen regional collaboration and support the continued growth and competitiveness of Greater Newark as a global transportation and business hub.
 
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About Newark Regional Business Partnership
As the premier chamber of commerce serving the Greater Newark region, the Newark Regional Business Partnership (NRBP) creates opportunities for businesses of all sizes, nonprofits, and community leaders to connect, expand their networks, strengthen their organizations, and contribute to a vibrant and competitive Greater Newark economic ecosystem. Through convenings, programs, and strategic partnerships, NRBP works to support business growth and advance Newark’s economic vitality. For more information about NRBP, visit www.newarkrbp.org.