James Weinstein (New Jersey official)
James Weinstein | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Transportation executive and planner |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Known for | Executive director of New Jersey Transit (2010–2014) |
James Weinstein is a transportation executive and planner. In 2010, he was appointed by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie as the executive director of New Jersey Transit, the state agency responsible for bus, light rail, and commuter rail operations. He held this position until March 2014. Weinstein also serves on the advisory board of Rutgers University's Voorhees Transportation Center and is a member of the Board of Trustees for the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.
Weinstein earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Seton Hall University. His prior roles include serving as Commissioner of Transportation and chairing the NJ Transit board from 1998 through 2002. Since 2002, he has been a senior vice president at AECOM, a multinational transportation consulting and engineering company. Before joining AECOM, he was senior vice president overseeing Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. Additionally, Weinstein has held leadership positions with organizations such as the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Delaware River Port Authority, and various New Jersey toll authorities.
During his leadership at NJ Transit, The New York Times characterized his period in office as "rocky," citing significant fare hikes, equipment damages caused by Hurricane Sandy, and capacity issues during the Mass Transit Super Bowl. Weinstein resigned in February 2014, with his resignation effective March 2; he was succeeded by Veronique Hakim. After his exit, several top officials also departed from the agency.
A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Weinstein resides in Moorestown together with his spouse.