Charles A. Gargano has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey since April 1995. He was appointed by Governor George E. Pataki. Mr. Gargano also serves as Chairman and Commissioner of the Empire State Development and Chairman of the Olympic Regional Development Authority.

As Chairman and Commissioner of Empire State Development, New York State’s primary economic development entity, Chairman Gargano has helped the Governor implement policies to attract new business investments and job growth for New Yorkers. The Empire State is enjoying its highest job level in history, and is witnessing an increasing amount of private sector investments, positioning the state for a prosperous 21st century.

Chairman Gargano’s public service began in 1981 when he was named Deputy Administrator of the Federal Urban Mass Transportation Administration by President Ronald Reagan. In 1988 he was appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago by President Reagan, and then was re-appointed in 1989 by President Bush where he served until 1991.

Chairman Gargano is currently Chairman of the Board of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, a New York City-based philanthropic organization dedicated to the history and culture of Italian Americans, and sponsor of the Columbus Day Parade.