Paterson Taps Ward As PA Exec Director

Governor Paterson said May 2 that he will recommend Christopher O. Ward, the city's Environment Protection Commissioner during Mayor Bloomberg's first term, to be the next Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey after forcing out Anthony Shorris last month.

"Chris Ward has developed extraordinary skills during his long career in both the public and private sectors," the Governor said in a statement. "I believe he will provide the visionary leadership needed to build and maintain a first-rate transportation and infrastructure system for the 21st Century."

Mr. Ward is expected to leave his post as the Managing Director of General Contractors Association of New York. He was Environmental Protection Commissioner from 2002 to 2005 and served the Director of Port Development at the PANYNJ from 1997 until 2002.

His appointment is still pending approval from the authority's board.