Rutgers Alumna Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti Tapped to Fix Transportation Troubles in New Jersey
Gov. Phil Murphy selects Gutierrez-Scaccetti to serve as the state’s commissioner of transportation and chair of NJ Transit’s board
“My professors helped me see the bigger picture. It doesn't matter what the organization does; at the end of the day, it’s the people who make it go. . . To that end Rutgers prepared me well for the leadership role I am about to take on.’’– Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti
When Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti was sitting in the classroom at Rutgers working toward a master’s degree in human resources, she was not anticipating a future role shaping one of the nation’s largest transportation networks.
But as New Jersey’s new commissioner of the Department of Transportation, the Rutgers alumna will be tackling one of the most challenging jobs in the state as she continues on her unexpected career path. She was recently appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy to fix the state’s cash-strapped and troubled transportation system.
And she plans on doing it by building on the skills she developed decades ago at Rutgers.
“I learned more than the nuts and bolts of HR,’’ Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “My professors helped me see the bigger picture. It doesn't matter what the organization does; at the end of the day, it’s the people who make it go. My job is to make sure people have the tools they need to do their jobs and have an opportunity to be successful. To that end Rutgers prepared me well for the leadership role I am about to take on.’’
As commissioner, Gutierrez-Scaccetti’s influence over transportation in New Jersey will stretch far beyond the DOT. She will also serve as chair of the board for several state agencies including NJ Transit, where she will play a role in trying to turn around a public rail and bus system plagued by chronic delays, overcrowding and budget shortfalls. Murphy offered some harsh words for NJ Transit when he announced Gutierrez-Scaccetti as his pick for commissioner, saying it had become “a national disgrace.’’
But Gutierrez-Scaccetti said she is not discouraged by the magnitude of the challenge. She said many of the issues the agencies are facing can be addressed by listening and building relationships with employees.
“I am the quarterback and I call the play, but I can’t throw the ball and catch the ball,’’ she said. “That is why it is extraordinarily important to me to develop trust with the employees and get them motivated to do the work of the agency and have the same belief as I do that we can make it better.’’
Gutierrez-Scaccetti – who completed her master’s degree in 1987 graduating at the top of her class – enrolled in graduate school to become an arbitrator with hopes of working for the state’s Public Employee Relations Commission.
She already had experience in state government, working for both Mercer County and the Department of Treasury. A few years after graduating from Rutgers, Gutierrez-Scaccetti was offered a job at the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which set her on her current path. She spent 21 years at the agency, including the last two as director. For the past six years, the New Jersey native, who was born in Newark and grew up in Lawrence, worked as the executive director of the Florida Turnpike Enterprise, which plays a similar role as NJDOT.
In her first few months at the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which also oversees the Garden State Parkway, Gutierrez-Scaccetti admits she second guessed her career move and thought it would be hard to get excited about “concrete and pavement.’’
But she quickly learned all she could about where she worked, and now she talks passionately about the importance of transportation in everyday life and to the overall health of the state economy.
“Transportation is probably one of the greatest assets we take for granted in this country,’’ Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “We don't get up and think about our route to work. We just get in our car and go the same way we go every day. It is important for me to know we have the infrastructure that provides those services and continues to allow people to know they can get to where they need to be.’’
Gutierrez-Scaccetti is not ready to talk about specific plans for her new job, saying she needs to re-acclimate herself to the issues in her home state. But she mentioned the importance of working with the new executive director of NJ Transit and offered some insight into how important she sees her role as chair of the board.
“Having grown up in state government, I will be much more hands-on than most chairs,’’ Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “I need to go in there and give them my time. The new executive director and I will work hand and hand addressing some of the cultural issues that NJ Transit faces.’’
Despite the pressing issues, Gutierrez-Scaccetti said there is reason for commuters to be optimistic about the future of the state’s transportation system. She said fixing the state’s transportation troubles will involve listening to the concerns of transit riders as well as listening to the people who work in the transportation field.
“It’s a very big responsibility, but with good organizational skills and by taking it one day at a time with really focused attention, we will move the ball forward 10 yards,’’ Gutierrez-Scaccetti said.
“At the end of the day if we can keep advancing the ball, we will make progress and at some point reach the goal line,’’ she said.