New Commissioners Selected for New Jersey DOT and BPU

On Sep 18, 2014

Today, Governor Christie announced the selection of a group of new, bipartisan leaders for the state’s Department of Transportation (DOT) and Board of Public Utilities (BPU), including a new President of the BPU, two BPU commissioners, and a new Transportation Commissioner.

Jamie Fox, an experienced transportation leader with public and private sector experience, including as a former DOT Commissioner, NJ Transit Board Chairman, and Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, will serve again as New Jersey’s next Department of Transportation Commissioner.

Selected to serve as BPU’s commissioners are: Richard Mroz, a former Whitman Administration Chief Counsel, Special Counsel, and Authorities director; Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, Chairman of the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee; and, Commissioner Joseph Fiordaliso, a serving BPU Commissioner who is being reappointed to a third term. Mr. Mroz will serve as the next President of the BPU.

“I am proud to name Jamie Fox as our state’s next Transportation Commissioner, bringing his extensive experience in our state’s transportation matters and a long, distinguished career of public service back to the people of New Jersey,” said Governor Christie. “Likewise, bringing new leaders with a depth of experience in public service and New Jersey’s public utility landscape will add a fresh perspective and help continue moving the BPU in a positive direction.  I have no doubt that Rick Mroz, Assemblyman Chivukula, and Commissioner Fiordaliso will continue their records of serving our people with distinction, pride, and effectiveness.  I thank each of these individuals for agreeing to take on these roles and for their commitment to New Jersey.”

Jamie Fox, Commissioner of the Department of Transportation

A widely recognized expert in transportation issues and New Jersey government, Mr. Fox has served as a senior public official and adviser in New Jersey politics for almost two decades, including service as the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Chairman of the Board of NJ Transit, Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Chief of Staff to New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey and U.S. Senator Bob Torricelli.  He currently serves on the NJ Local Finance Board, a position he has held since 2004.   He is a registered Democrat.

Richard Mroz, President of the Board of Public Utilities

Mr. Mroz is a lawyer and public affairs consultant with an extensive history of public service in New Jersey.  He previously served as Chief Counsel, Special Counsel, and Authorities Unit Director under Governor Christie Todd Whitman.  He previously served as County Counsel for Camden County.  Today, Mr. Mroz serves on the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, which provides funding to member financial institutions in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.  Since 2012, he has served as a Commissioner of the Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA).  He is a registered Republican.

Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, Board of Public Utilities Commissioner

Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula has served as a member of New Jersey’s General Assembly since 2002. Born in Nellore, India, Chivukula moved south to Chennai as a two-year old as his father searched for work. Mr. Chivukula immigrated to the United States in 1974, and received a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from City College of the City University of New York. Mr. Chivukula is the first Indian-American ever elected to the New Jersey legislature.  He is a former mayor and councilman of Franklin Township, Somerset County’s largest municipality.  He serves as Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Telecommunications & Utilities Committee. Mr. Chivukula is the Vice Chair of the Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee and a member of the Transportation, Public Works, and Independent Authorities Committee.  He is a registered Democrat.

Joseph Fiordaliso, Board of Public Utilities Commissioner

A Newark native, Joseph Fiordaliso has served as a Commissioner of the Board of Public Utilities since 2005 and is being nominated for a third term. He is a former three- term Livingston Township councilman, Essex County Director of Planning and Economic Development, and gubernatorial Deputy Chief of Staff.  Mr. Fiordaliso received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Education from Montclair State University.  He also serves on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ (NARUC) Committee on Critical Infrastructure and Committee on Electricity and is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners (MACRUC).  He is a registered Democrat.

Related Articles: