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Released: 10/30/2019
DRPA CEO John Hanson Receives 2019 Eagle Award
The award, presented by New Jersey Alliance for Action, recognizes professionals
who have made a positive impact on New Jersey’s infrastructure and economy
Delaware River Port Authority Chief Executive Officer and PATCO President John T. Hanson was presented with an Eagle Award by the New Jersey Alliance for Action during the 45th Annual Eagle Awards Dinner on October 29, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, NJ. Hanson accepted the 2019 Walter Rand South Jersey Award on behalf of the men and women who work at DRPA and PATCO, Chairman Ryan Boyer, Vice-Chairman Jeffrey Nash, DRPA and PATCO’s Board, and the contractors and consultants who support the Authority.
An Eagle Award symbolizes the ability to rise above obstacles and to achieve levels of success beyond the common grasp that make the recipient of this award a leader. Hanson was the recipient of the Walter Rand South Jersey Award which is an Eagle Award category given to an individual who is recognized as making a difference in the local economy.
The event featured a video of Hanson discussing his commitment to make a lasting impact on the local community.
“At DRPA and PATCO, what we really do is, we connect people. There are almost 300,000 people who cross our bridges every day and almost 40,000 people ride PATCO every day,” said Hanson. “We hold the bridges and the train line in trust for the community and the region. And the idea that we get to play a small but important role in people’s lives is inspiring to me and really to all the men and women who work at DRPA and PATCO.”
The mission of the non-profit Alliance for Action is to improve New Jersey’s economy through the promotion of infrastructure investment and capital construction. The Eagle Awards are given annually to leaders who are improving the economic life of New Jersey.
Hanson came to the DRPA in 2002 as a commissioner and chair of the board’s finance committee. In 2004, he became the Authority’s Chief Financial Officer, a position he held until he was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2014.
As CEO, Mr. Hanson emphasizes stewardship and public service as the root of the Authority’s mission and purpose, saying, “We are stewards of the important transportation assets and other resources. We hold them in trust for their owners: the public. We protect, maintain and operate them on behalf of the community. The domains of that stewardship includes the Authority’s transportation assets –— bridge and transit infrastructure -— as well as the human and financial resources that are dedicated to serving the community."
Hanson concluded his award acceptance recognizing the role he plays at the Authority is made possible by the support of the entire staff at the Authority.
“I would like to thank the Alliance for Action for recognizing us in this way and giving us this award. It is really an award to all the men and women of DRPA and PATCO and to the contractors who support us as well.”
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