At its board of commissioners meeting July 19, the Gateway Development Commission announced it finalized terms with Kris Kolluri to become its first chief executive officer.

The move completes a process laid out the during the board’s May meeting. Kolluri’s tenure begins immediately.

“We’re thrilled to have Kris Kolluri lead GDC and implement the vision of building a 21st Century rail link between New York, New Jersey and the rest of the Northeast Corridor that will deliver jobs, economic growth, and most of all more reliable, resilient and predictable travel for millions of people,” the Gateway Development commissioners said in a statement.

The actions also build on progress made in recent months, including with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Govs. Phil Murphy and Katy Hochul to move forward long-stalled projects, such as the Portal North Bridge and new Hudson Tunnel.

“There is no more urgent infrastructure project in the nation than the Hudson Tunnel,” said Kolluri. “I will be singularly focused on ensuring the project is approved, funded and built so millions of passengers have rail travel they can rely on, and the region and nation are served. I thank Govs. Hochul and Murphy, [U.S.] Secretary [of Transportation Peter] Buttigieg, and members of our congressional delegations for their support. Our partners are our most vital link to success. And I am particularly grateful to each of the board members of the Gateway Development Commission for putting their faith in me.”

Kolluri, previously a commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation and, most recently, CEO of the Camden Community Partnership, was recommended for consideration for this role by the GDC board of commissioners, by both Hochul and Murphy, and with an endorsement from Buttigieg.