Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Joseph Bertoni has more than 30 years of experience in transportation engineering, planning and administration with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).

Joe began his career with the NJDOT in 1988 in the Division of Bridge Design and has worked as a Project Manager in the Department's Capital Program Management unit where he was responsible for managing the design and construction of major bridge and highway projects. Prior to becoming Deputy Commissioner, Joe served as the NJDOT's Chief of Staff.

Joe received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Widener University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Christopher Scales serves as the New Jersey Department of Transportation's (NJDOT) Chief of Staff. In this role, Chris works closely with NJDOT leadership to advance the Department's direction and strategic initiatives. Before joining NJDOT in February 2024, Chris was an attorney in private practice, where he focused on matters pertaining to both real estate and financial transactions. He previously served as a judicial law clerk to the Hon. John Zunic, J.S.C. in Essex County's Criminal Division, and an Aide to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

A Hamilton resident, Chris was an elected member of the Hamilton Township Board of Education from 2015 to 2018 and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Rider University and his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law.

Parth Oza was appointed to the position of Assistant Commissioner, Capital Program Management (CPM) in July of 2022. As a key member of the New Jersey Department of Transportation's senior leadership team, he is charged with delivering the bulk of the Department's Capital Program of over $1 billion annually in state and federal construction projects, in addition to over $350 million in consultant engineering awards. He oversees a work force of over 1,300 employees in several divisions within CPM. He is responsible for leading an active construction program valued at approximately $4 billion with 200 plus active highway and bridge construction projects. He also serves as a Deputy State Transportation Engineer for the Department, and previously served in various roles in the Division of Transportation Operations Systems and Support.

In 2012 Parth received a Bachelor of Science (BS), Civil Engineering degree from Rutgers University and a Master of Business and Science (MBS), Engineering Management from Rutgers University, Professional Science Master's Program in 2021.

He is a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of New Jersey.

Chris Feinthel was appointed to the position of Assistant Commissioner, Operations, in September 2023. As a member of NJDOT's Senior Leadership team, Chris is responsible for leading a team of 1,500 employees charged with keeping the highway system in a state of good repair and ensuring safe mobility of the motoring public. The Operations team manages over $350 million in construction projects annually, acting as the lead Unit for all proactive infrastructure maintenance and innovative roadway technologies. Additionally, Chris serves as the Department's Emergency Management Coordinator, responsible for the NJDOT's emergency response in both the areas of highway incidents and weather-related activities. Previously Chris has held various leadership roles within the Department, in both Regional and Statewide Operations. Chris holds a degree in Political Science from Bucknell University and is a graduate of the Operations Academy Senior Management Program, with a focus on transportation management systems and operations.

Eric joined the Department in 2001 as a Transportation Planner in the Division of Statewide Planning serving as project manager for the State's first Statewide Freight Transportation Plan. From 2008 to 2011 he worked directly for the Assistant Commissioner of Planning. In 2011, he returned to the Division of Statewide Planning to lead the MPO Liaison unit. He was promoted to Section Chief in the Bureau of Trucking services 2013 and in 2014 he joined the Division of Capital Investment Planning and Development as the Manager of the Bureau of Capital Program Coordination. He was promoted to Director of Capital Investment and Program Coordination in 2017 and served in that capacity until being appointed to the position of Assistant Commissioner of Statewide Planning, Safety and Capital Investment in October of 2023. Eric earned a BS in Economics with a concentration in Public Sector Finance from Florida State University and a Master's degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University. He is a licensed Professional Planned in the State of New Jersey and is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners. He is a graduate of the NJDOT Succession Planning Program and a Certified Public Manger.

Charles Maciejunes was appointed as Chief Financial Officer, in October 2023. Prior to his current appointment, he was the Director, Division of Budget since July 2021. As Chief Financial Officer, he oversees a staff of approximately 190 in the following divisions: Information Technology, Budget, Accounting and External Audit and Procurement. He also serves as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority (NJTTFA). Charles joined the Department in 1988 and has served in various financial leadership roles since 2000. From 2007 to 2014, Charles was the Manager of the Division of Budget's Bureau of Budget Analysis responsible for the direction, coordination, and oversight of the Department's operating budget. Between 2014 and 2016, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of the New Jersey State Parole Board, returning to NJDOT in 2016. Charles has a Bachelor's from Montclair State College in Political Science and a Master's in Public Administration from Kean College.

Laine Rankin is the Assistant Commissioner of Local Resources and Community Development. This area now includes a staff of 200 responsible for the Concept Development of Capital Projects, Aeronautics and Modal Grants, Major Access Permits, and Outdoor Advertising as well as the Divisions of Environmental Resources and Local Aid and Economic Development. She oversees more than $500 million annually from the Transportation Trust Fund in state aid to municipalities and counties for local transportation improvements in addition to more than $150 million in federal monies for federal aid programs. Laine was previously the Director of Local Aid and Economic Development and before that, she was the Executive Regional Manager of Group A in the Division of Project Management which included the Pulaski Skyway; the Wittpenn Bridge; and New Road projects. Laine has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Penn State University and a Masters in Transportation Engineering from N.J.I.T. She has over 30 years of experience at the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Kelly Hutchinson was appointed to the position of Assistant Commissioner, Administration in September 2023. As a key strategic member of the New Jersey Department of Transportation's leadership team, she directs the programs and services of the Divisions of Human Resources and Facilities/Support Services serving to support the greater mission of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) with a staffing compliment of approximately 3,500 employees, and a building structure compliment of over 500 in over 94 locations statewide. Kelly began her career in state service in 2005 and has been with NJDOT since 2015. Prior to becoming Assistant Commissioner, Kelly served as NJDOT's Director of Human Resources. Kelly received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Stonehill College.

Vanessa Holman began her career at NJDOT as a speechwriter in 2013. In her 11 years with the Department, she has worked for five Commissioners under two administrations and learned much about the wide world of transportation. She was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff in 2019. As a member of NJDOT's Senior Leadership team, Vanessa oversees NJDOT's office of Communications, Government and Community Relations and the Department's Legislative Liaison.

Previously Vanessa held various executive assistant and leadership roles within the Department. Prior to joining NJDOT, she worked at Craig Test Boring / Geotechnical Drilling Company. She holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Stockton University and an MBA from Rutgers University.