Governor Corzine names Susan Bass Levin as deputy director of the port authority of New York and New Jersey

TRENTON, May 21, 2007.- Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced that he is appointing Susan Bass Levin, Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), as the next Deputy Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

"For years Susan has proven herself as an exceptional public servant and a tireless advocate for New Jersey," Governor Jon S. Corzine said. "She is an ideal candidate for this position, and I have no doubt that she will vigorously represent the interests of our state at the Port Authority."

Levin served as Commissioner of Community Affairs from January 2002 until the July 2005, when she joined the Corzine for Governor Campaign as chief operating officer. She returned to continue her service as Commissioner in January 2006. Prior to her service at DCA, Levin served 14 years as mayor of Cherry Hill, one of the largest suburban municipalities in Southern New Jersey. She received a J.D. with Honors from George Washington Law School in 1975 and her B.A. from the University of Rochester, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Levin, who has two adult daughters, resides in Cherry Hill.

"I am honored that Governor Corzine has asked me to take on this tremendous responsibility. The Port Authority is a critically important bi-state agency that serves as an economic engine for our region," Commissioner Bass Levin said. "I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of the Port Authority's ongoing mission to improve transportation and strengthen the region's economy with projects like the ARC Tunnel and the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site."

Levin will replace Deputy Director Jaime Fox, who will leave the position on June 7. She will begin the new position in early July. The administration will begin reviewing candidates to replace to Levin at DCA and hope to have a nomination to present to the Legislature this summer.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates many of the busiest and most important transportation links in the country. They include the PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) rapid-transit system; the Lincoln and Holland tunnels; Newark Liberty International, John F. Kennedy International, Teterboro and LaGuardia airports; AirTrain Newark and AirTrain JFK; the George Washington Bridge and Bus Station; the three bridges between New Jersey and Staten Island; the Port Authority-Downtown Manhattan Heliport; Port Newark; the Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal; the Howland Hook Marine Terminal on Staten Island; the Brooklyn Piers/Red Hook Container Terminal; and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan.

The agency also owns the 16-acre World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan.