Warren, Morris county commissioners elected to leadership posts at North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority
NORTH JERSEY – Warren County Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski and Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw have been elected to leadership positions on the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the regional body that oversees billions of dollars in transportation investments across northern and central New Jersey.
Sarnoski was elected to a two-year term as first vice chair of the NJTPA at the Board of Trustees meeting held Jan. 12. Shaw was named third vice chair, following an appointment by newly elected chair Middlesex County Commissioner Charles Kenny.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as First Vice Chair of the NJTPA,” said Commissioner Sarnoski. “The decisions made here directly affect how communities move people and goods every day. I am especially focused on ensuring that regional planning efforts remain practical, responsive, and grounded in the real transportation needs of our region.”
The NJTPA serves as the metropolitan planning organization for 13 counties and works with local, state and federal partners to fund more than $3 billion annually in transportation projects, including roads, bridges, transit systems and safety improvements.
Sarnoski has served on the Warren County Board of County Commissioners since 2010 and joined the NJTPA Board of Trustees in 2011. He has previously held several executive roles within the authority, including second vice chair, third vice chair and secretary. During his tenure, he has chaired the Planning and Economic Development and Freight Initiatives committees and served as vice chair of the Project Prioritization Committee, which oversees the allocation of federal transportation funding. He will chair that committee for the 2026–2027 term.
Shaw, who was appointed third vice chair under the authority’s bylaws, also will serve a two-year term on the Executive Committee.
“I’m thankful to Commissioner Kenny for the opportunity to serve as third vice chair and I look forward to continuing my work on the Executive Committee,” Commissioner Director Shaw said. “The NJTPA plays an essential role in bringing a regional perspective to transportation challenges — from improving safety for all road users to planning for the growing demands of goods movement.”
Shaw noted that the board approved $171 million in safety funding at the Jan. 12 meeting, including nearly $9.5 million for intersection upgrades and safety improvements along Newark Pompton Turnpike in Pequannock Township.
“These projects put federal dollars to work locally and help make travel safer for everyone — whether you’re walking, biking, driving or making deliveries,” said Commissioner Director Shaw.
Shaw was first elected to the Morris County Board of County Commissioners in 2019 and will serve as commissioner director in 2026. He joined the NJTPA Board of Trustees in 2023 and was elected to its Executive Committee in 2024, when he served as secretary. He will continue as chair of the Freight Initiatives Committee for the upcoming term.
At the same meeting, the NJTPA Board elected Kenny as chair of the Executive Committee. Other officers include Union County Commissioner Michèle S. Delisfort as second vice chair and Passaic County Commissioner John W. Bartlett as secretary.
The Executive Committee provides leadership and guidance on planning, policy and administrative matters and meets as needed. All board positions are uncompensated.
The NJTPA Board includes one local elected official from each of the region’s 13 counties, along with representatives from the state Department of Transportation, NJ TRANSIT, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and a citizen representative appointed by the governor.
