Overview

Priya Jain is a civil engineer and infrastructure executive who assumed the role of Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation on January 19, 2026, following her nomination by Governor Mikie Sherrill. In this capacity, she also serves as Chair of the NJ Transit Board. Jain brings extensive private-sector experience in large-scale transportation project management and consulting. Prior to her appointment, she served as President of Americas for Mace Consult, an international construction consulting firm, where she led strategic growth and operational excellence across the region. She previously held executive positions at Atlas Technical Consultants, Atkins (where she spearheaded North American expansion), and CH2M, managing major client programs and infrastructure delivery. Early in her career, she worked as an engineer on the original Access to the Region's Core (ARC) Tunnel project, conducting early permitting and environmental reviews. Jain holds degrees in civil engineering and physics from India’s Birla Institute of Technology & Science and an advanced degree in environmental engineering from the University at Buffalo.

Political Career

Acting Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Transportation (2026–present)

Chair, NJ Transit Board (2026–present)

Key Policy Areas

Transportation infrastructure modernization

Road and bridge safety improvements

Transit expansion and accessibility

Permitting process reform and efficiency

Gateway Tunnel project completion

FIFA World Cup 2026 infrastructure preparation

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Oversees the New Jersey Department of Transportation

Chairs NJ Transit, the state public transportation corporation

Nominated by Governor Sherrill to implement an infrastructure agenda focused on reducing commute times, cutting red tape in permitting, and repairing aging roads and bridges

Advanced through the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously in March 2026 toward confirmation as the full Commissioner

Education

B.S., Civil Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, India

M.S., Physics, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, India

M.S., Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo

Personal

Birth date: Not publicly available

Residence: Morris County, New Jersey