Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti
Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti | |
|---|---|
| Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation | |
| In office 2018–2024 | |
| Governor | Phil Murphy |
| Preceded by | Richard T. Hammer |
| Succeeded by | Francis K. O'Connor |
| Chief of Staff to the Governor of New Jersey | |
| Assumed office September 30, 2023 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Connecticut (BS) Rutgers University, New Brunswick (MS) |
Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti is the former executive director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and Florida's Turnpike Enterprise. She became acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation in January 2018 and was confirmed in June 2018[1][2] and acting director of the state's Transportation Trust Fund Authority.[3][4] She also serves chair of the board for NJ Transit.[5]
Background and education
[edit]Gutierrez-Scaccetti was born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Lawrence Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. She attended the University of Connecticut (1977–1981), attaining a bachelor's of science degree in business administration, and Rutgers University-New Brunswick (1983–1987), graduating at the top of her class (4.0 GPA) with a masters of science degree in human resources and industrial relations.[6]
Career
[edit]New Jersey Turnpike Authority
[edit]The New Jersey Turnpike Authority oversees the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. Gutierrez-Scaccetti began her work for the agency as assistant contract administrator in the law department. She became chief of staff in 1995 and deputy director in 1997 before becoming executive director in 2008. During her tenure she worked on bond issues, labor negotiations, implementation of E-ZPass, the consolidation of the turnpike and parkway under the agency and widening projects for both roadways. She resigned in June 2010 soon after the beginning of Christie administration.[7]
Florida's Turnpike Enterprise
[edit]In August 2011 she became the executive director and CEO of the Florida's Turnpike Enterprise.[8] In 2013, Gutierrez-Scaccetti chose Conduent for the SunPass electronic toll collection system over its competitors, even though the competitors were cheaper and had better technical scores. Gutierrez-Scaccetti flew to New Jersey for an industry conference less than two weeks before the selection meeting. After the conference, she delayed her flight to meet with Conduent representatives and one of its subcontractors. Florida state employees involved in awarding contracts are prohibited from discussing the bidding with the competing companies before the selection is made [9] It is expected that the Florida Turnpike Enterprise will lose more than $50 Million because of Conduent's inability to process tolls.[10]
New Jersey Department of Transportation
[edit]She was nominated to be commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation by Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy in December 2017, pending New Jersey Senate approval,[6] which she received in June 2018.[1] In addition to the roads and bridges, the department is also responsible for mass transit in the state, largely provided by NJ Transit, which Murphy has called a "national disgrace".[11] In this position, she also served as the chair of TRB's executive committee in 2023.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Gutierrez-Scaccetti confirmed as transportation commissioner - NJBIZ".
- ^ "Murphy to Nominate Gutierrez-Scaccetti as Head of NJ Department of Transportation". 20 December 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ Unit, NJDOT Web Development. "New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority - Members". www.state.nj.us.
- ^ "Commissioner New Jersey Department of Transportation". www.state.nj.us.
- ^ "Gov. Phil Murphy nominates seven to NJ Transit board in effort to improve agency".
- ^ a b "Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti - Details". ibtta.eventsential.org. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ Frassinelli, Mike (June 30, 2010). "N.J. Turnpike Authority executive director to retire after 21 years of service". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ^ "Gutierrez-Scaccetti Named New Director of Florida's Turnpike". 1 August 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ "How Florida's SunPass debacle started in 2012". Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- ^ "Report: Florida could lose $50 million over SunPass issues". 20 September 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- ^ "Gutierrez-Scaccetti Is Murphy's Pick to Head NJDOT Amid Transportation 'Crisis' - NJ Spotlight". www.njspotlight.com. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2018.