Seizing on the mandate of a convincing double-digit win, New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill quickly announced several key staff appointments and rolled out a three-phased transition process. She also introduced her nominee for Attorney General, Jen Davenport.
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Executive Director Rick Cotton announced his resignation. His unrivaled tenure is marked by the delivery of generational infrastructure projects and navigation of unprecedented challenges, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Kathryn Garcia would succeed Cotton.
Monmouth County has repurposed material from the recently demolished Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge to construct an artificial reef off New Jersey's coast, in a fantastic example of conservation and environmental stewardship.
ICYMI: NorthStar co-founders Joe Fiordaliso and Jody Herkloz were named to InsiderNJ's 2025 Lobby Power List.
Sherrill Announces Key Staff Leadership Appointments
New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill announced a series of high-profile staff appointments that will shape the foundation of her administration.
Alex Ball Named Chief of Staff
Alex Ball will serve as Chief of Staff. Ball is a seasoned political strategist who managed Sherrill’s successful gubernatorial campaign and previously served as her Chief of Staff in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ball’s career includes senior roles at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and EMILY’s List, as well as campaign management for Rep. Jason Crow (CO) and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ). Ball is widely recognized for expertise in legislative operations and campaign strategy, bringing years of experience to the role.
Tim Lydon Appointed Chief Counsel
Tim Lydon, a former New Jersey Superior Court Judge, will serve as Chief Counsel. Lydon’s distinguished career spans all three branches of state government. He has served as Executive Director of the New Jersey Senate Majority Office, Director of Cabinet Affairs under Governor Jon Corzine, and Chief of Staff to U.S. Rep. John Adler. Lydon earned his law degree from Georgetown University and has decades of experience in public service and legal affairs, making him a trusted advisor for the incoming administration.
Doucette Named Chief Operating Officer
The Governor-elect appointed Kellie Doucette as New Jersey’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), a newly created role aimed at driving efficiency, transparency, and accountability across state government. Doucette, a longtime advisor to Sherrill, will oversee day-to-day operations and lead modernization initiatives within the executive branch. Doucette brings extensive experience to this new role, including her tenure as executive director of Sherrill’s transition team and district director for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. She will work closely with incoming Chief of Staff Alex Ball and Chief Counsel Tim Lydon to form a seasoned staff triumvirate.
Lieutenant Governor-Elect Names Chief of Staff
Lieutenant Governor-elect Dale Caldwell has appointed Nabila Baptiste as his Chief of Staff. Baptiste is a seasoned Democratic strategist and former Biden administration official with deep roots in New Jersey politics. She served as political director for Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill’s primary campaign and later as director of strategic partnerships for the Democratic State Committee during the general election. Her public service experience includes roles as New Jersey State Director for Biden for President in 2020, deputy executive director of the state party, and deputy finance director for Governor Phil Murphy’s 2021 re-election bid.
Jennifer Davenport is Sherrill's AG Pick
At a press conference in Newark on December 15, Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill announced veteran prosecutor Jennifer Davenport as her nominee for New Jersey’s next Attorney General. Davenport, a Monmouth County resident, brings over 15 years of experience in state and federal law enforcement, including roles as First Assistant Attorney General, Assistant U.S. Attorney, and counsel for the DEA. Most recently, she served as Deputy General Counsel and Chief Litigation Counsel at PSEG.
If confirmed, Davenport would become the fifth woman in New Jersey history to serve as Attorney General. Sherrill praised Davenport’s “ironclad commitment to upholding the law and the Constitution” and her ability to work across communities to ensure safety and affordability. Davenport pledged to focus on combating gun violence, human trafficking, and consumer protection, while defending New Jerseyans from harmful federal policies.
In her nomination remarks, Davenport pledged to defend New Jersey against harmful federal policies, specifically citing Washington as a source of affordability threats. She vowed to stand alongside Governor Sherrill to protect residents when policies “drive up costs or violate the Constitution,” signaling readiness to challenge the Trump administration in court if necessary. Sherrill reinforced this stance, praising Davenport’s willingness to “stand up to anybody, including the president.”
Governor-elect Announces Transition Team to Advise Administration
Transition Team Composed of Diverse Group of Leaders from Across New Jersey
Governor-elect Sherrill unveiled a three-phase transition plan that includes the appointment of Transition Action Teams, an Interdisciplinary Advisory Task Force, and public engagement. The Transition Team, led by co-chairs Dr. Maria Torres, a prominent education advocate, and John Carmichael, former state budget director, brings together leaders from government, business, labor, and advocacy groups. Sherrill emphasized that the team reflects New Jersey’s diversity and is designed to ensure a smooth transition and inclusive policy agenda.
A Broad Coalition of Expertise
Joining Torres and Carmichael are members of ten expert-driven teams, each focused on a priority policy area. The Transition Team is tasked with reviewing state agencies and recommending top appointments, as well as identifying pressing issues for the administration’s first 100 days.
NorthStar CEO Joe Fiordaliso was named to the Transition Team Interdisciplinary Advisory Task Force. He joins numerous NorthStar clients who are regarded as subject matter experts and who look forward to providing guidance during the transition process and supporting the work of the incoming administration.
“We are committed to building a government that works for every New Jerseyan,” Sherrill said. “This team represents the best of our state’s talent, and together we will lay the foundation for an administration that is transparent, accountable, and effective.”
Focus on Key Policy Areas
The transition team will form advisory committees on numerous key issues including education, public safety, health care, economic development, and transportation. Each committee will host public listening sessions, a move praised by advocacy organizations for bringing transparency to the process.
Next Steps
The transition team will release a final report by early January, outlining recommendations for cabinet appointments and policy priorities. As inauguration day approaches, the team’s work will set the tone for the Sherrill administration’s opening months.
Governor-elect Sherrill’s inauguration is scheduled for January, after which the new administration will begin considering in earnest the recommendations developed by the transition team.
Rick Cotton to Step Down as Port Authority Executive Director; Hochul Nominates Kathryn Garcia as Successor
Rick Cotton, the longest-serving Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey since the 1940s, will retire in January 2026 after an extraordinary 8½-year tenure that transformed the bi-state agency into a model of modern infrastructure and operational excellence. Cotton’s leadership, in close partnership with Chair Kevin O’Toole, ushered in a new era for the Port Authority, delivering once-in-a-generation projects and executing on its ambitious vision.
Cotton and O’Toole, who assumed their respective roles in 2017, built an unmatched record of accomplishment. They spearheaded the complete rebuild of LaGuardia Airport and the award-winning Terminal A at Newark Liberty International, and advanced a $19 billion overhaul of JFK Airport. They jumpstarted the long-stalled Port Authority Bus Terminal reconstruction, modernized PATH, and launched the new AirTrain Newark project. Their stewardship also saw the agency through the COVID-19 pandemic and the adoption of a record $45 billion capital plan to fund projects through 2035. “Rick took on one of the toughest public-service jobs in America and delivered extraordinary results,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “His leadership rebuilt public confidence in our capacity to deliver world-class infrastructure.” O’Toole echoed this praise, calling Cotton “the driving force behind the Port Authority’s resurgence as a high-performing, modern public agency.”
How Leadership Roles Are Decided
The Port Authority is a unique bi-state agency governed by a Board of Commissioners appointed by the governors of New York and New Jersey. By longstanding tradition and agreement, New York selects the Executive Director, who oversees day-to-day operations, while New Jersey designates the Chair, who leads the board and sets strategic priorities. This power-sharing arrangement ensures balanced representation and collaboration between the two states on critical transportation and infrastructure decisions.
O’Toole was just re-elected to a ninth term as Chair, unanimously securing his position through at least the first year of Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill’s administration. Working closely with Cotton, O’Toole’s tenure as Chair has been nothing short of transformative, marked by visionary leadership, unwavering integrity, and a relentless commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure.
Governor Hochul has announced the nomination of Kathryn Garcia, New York’s Director of State Operations and a widely respected public servant, as Cotton's successor. If confirmed by the Port Authority’s Board of Commissioners, Garcia would make history as the first woman to serve as Executive Director of the agency. Hochul lauded Garcia’s record of advancing generational infrastructure projects, including the Gateway Tunnel, congestion pricing, and the Interborough Express. “I am thankful she will continue serving the people of New York as Executive Director of the Port Authority, where she will help us advance a regional economy that keeps us the global leader in job creation and growth,” Hochul said. Garcia expressed pride in her accomplishments and readiness to lead, calling the appointment “the honor of a lifetime.”
Cotton himself endorsed Garcia as a “superb choice,” praising her deep knowledge of government, extraordinary judgment, and collaborative spirit. Her appointment, alongside O’Toole’s continued chairmanship, signals a strong leadership team poised to guide the Port Authority through its next chapter of modernization and connectivity.
Monmouth County Turns Bridge Demolition Into Marine Conservation Win
Monmouth County is giving new life to old infrastructure in a way that benefits both the environment and the community. As part of the $138 million Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge replacement project, county officials have announced plans to recycle materials from the original 75-year-old structure to create an artificial reef off the Jersey Shore.
The Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge, a vital coastal evacuation route connecting State Route 36 in Sea Bright to County Route 520 in Rumson, was recently replaced after decades of service. Rather than sending the old concrete and steel to landfills, Monmouth County will partner with state and federal agencies to repurpose these materials for marine habitat restoration.
“This is a win-win,” said Tom Arnone, Director of the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners, who has championed the project alongside his colleagues. “We’re improving transportation safety while supporting marine ecosystems and recreational fishing.”
County Engineer Joe Ettore played a key role in ensuring the bridge replacement and reef initiative meet both structural and environmental standards. “Our team worked diligently to design a project that not only enhances mobility but also contributes to sustainability,” Ettore noted.
Artificial reefs provide shelter for fish and other marine life, boosting biodiversity and strengthening the local fishing economy. The initiative aligns with New Jersey’s broader coastal resilience strategy, which emphasizes sustainability and environmental stewardship alongside infrastructure upgrades.
The reef project will begin after the final phase of bridge demolition, with deployment expected in coordination with the state’s Artificial Reef Program. Environmental experts will oversee placement to ensure compliance with habitat guidelines and navigational safety.
The Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge replacement was funded primarily through federal dollars, marking one of the largest transportation investments in Monmouth County history. Thanks to the leadership of the Board of Commissioners and the expertise of the County Engineer’s office, its legacy will extend beneath the waves, creating a lasting benefit for generations to come.
Fiordaliso and Herkloz Named to InsiderNJ’s Lobby Power List
Earlier this Fall, InsiderNJ released its 2025 Insider 100: Lobby Power List, spotlighting the most influential voices shaping policy and legislation in New Jersey. Among this year’s honorees are and Jody Herkloz, co-founders of NorthStar Strategies.
The annual publication recognizes professionals who demonstrate exceptional ability to navigate the complex corridors of state government. According to InsiderNJ, the list reflects “a representative look at key governmental affairs agents laboring mostly in the halls of Trenton,” and underscores their role in influencing legislation and regulatory processes.
Fiordaliso, NorthStar’s Chief Executive Officer, brings decades of experience in public policy and strategic advocacy. His career spans advisory roles to governors, legislators, and corporate leaders, earning him a reputation as a trusted advisor on high-stakes issues. Herkloz, the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, is recognized for her bipartisan reach and expertise in fundraising, coalition building, and public outreach. Together, they have positioned NorthStar Strategies as an effective and influential player in New Jersey’s lobbying landscape.
This recognition comes amid a pivotal moment in state politics, as lobbyists prepare for a gubernatorial transition that promises to reshape priorities and alliances. InsiderNJ notes that the list not only honors individual achievement but also reflects the dynamic environment in which these professionals operate — one marked by shifting administrations, evolving policy debates, and heightened competition for influence.
“We work each day to realize our vision of being the most trusted consultancy in New Jersey,” Herkloz said in a recent statement about NorthStar’s growth. Fiordaliso echoed that sentiment and expressed sincere appreciation to the InsiderNJ editorial team for including NorthStar's founding leaders in its annual publication.