For Immediate Release: 6/12/24 
Contact: Office of Media Relations and Communications | (518) 471-5300 | public.info@thruway.ny.gov 

THRUWAY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF TWO NEW MEMBERS OF THE THRUWAY AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

New York State Senate Confirmed Joan McDonald and Paul Tokasz in June

The New York State Thruway Authority today announced the addition of two new members of the Thruway Authority Board of Directors.

Governor Kathy Hochul nominated Joan McDonald and Paul Tokasz to serve on the Board, and the New York State Senate confirmed their nominations in June.

Joan McDonald has a distinguished career in the transportation industry, currently serving as the Director of Operations for Westchester County and the Chair of the Board for the New York State Bridge Authority. She previously served as the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation from 2011 through 2015. Ms. McDonald also served on the Transportation Research Board and the Women’s Transportation Seminar. She currently is a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.

Ms. McDonald received her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University and her Bachelor’s Degree from LeMoyne College.

Paul Tokasz has an extensive background in state government, serving as an Assemblymember representing the Western New York region from 1988 to 2006, and served as New York State Assembly Majority Leader from 2001 to 2006. Most recently, Mr. Tokasz served as Administrative Vice President/Manager of Government Relations at M&T Bank. Mr. Tokasz was also an educator in Buffalo in the 1970s, before becoming Clerk of the Erie County Legislature, Deputy County Clerk of Erie County and First Deputy County Clerk in the 1980s.

Mr. Tokasz received his Bachelor’s Degree from Hobart College and a Master’s Degree in Education from the Buffalo State College.

Ms. McDonald and Mr. Tokasz will serve on the Board of Directors with Chairperson Joanne Mahoney, Heather Briccetti Mulligan, Jose’ Holguin-Veras, Robert Megna and Norman Jones.

The Thruway Authority Board of Directors meeting schedule is available on the Thruway Authority’s website.

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