Auditor General DePasquale Calls for National Search for Next Head of Delaware River Port Authority

Gov. Christie Expected to Nominate Current CEO for NJ Superior Court

January 13 2014

Auditor General DePasquale Calls for National Search for Next Head of Delaware River Port Authority

Gov. Christie Expected to Nominate Current CEO for NJ Superior Court

HARRISBURG (Jan. 13, 2014) – As a member of the bistate Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today urged New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to refrain from appointing a chief executive officer for the authority until a nationwide search is conducted.

Gov. Christie has indicated he will nominate the current CEO of the port authority, John Matheussen, to be a judge on the NJ Superior Court.

“This authority exists to provide safe, reliable transportation for people to get to work, recreation and entertainment. A national search is necessary to ensure we get the best qualified professional to, literally, make sure the trains run on time for the people paying the fare,” said DePasquale.

“Tens of thousands of Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents rely on the authority every day,” he said. “We need to ensure the next leader of the authority has the appropriate background and experience to oversee this transportation operation with the residents’ best interests in mind.”

The Pennsylvania auditor general is one of 16 individuals — eight each from Pennsylvania and New Jersey — who serve on the DRPA Board of Commissioners. The NJ governor appoints the CEO while the PA governor appoints the chairman.

The DRPA is a regional transportation agency serving the people of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. With an annual operating budget of approximately $300 million and 860 employees, DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry, and Betsy Ross bridges. Through a subsidiary, the Port Authority Transit Corp., DRPA runs PATCO (Port Authority Transit Corporation) and also owns the RiverLink Ferry.

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