Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw Named Third Vice Chair of NJTPA
Published on January 12, 2026
Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw was named third vice chair of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) at the agency’s Jan. 12 Board of Trustees meeting today.
In accordance with the board’s bylaws, Middlesex County Commissioner Charles Kenny, who was elected chairman, appointed Shaw to the position for a two-year term.
“I’m thankful to Commissioner Kenny for the opportunity to serve as third vice chair and I look forward to continuing my work on the Executive Committee,” Commissioner Director Shaw said. “The NJTPA plays an essential role in bringing a regional perspective to transportation challenges -- from improving safety for all road users to planning for the growing demands of goods movement.”
Shaw noted that the board approved $171 million in safety funding at its Jan. 12 meeting, including nearly $9.5 million to upgrade 38 intersections and make other improvements along Newark Pompton Turnpike in Pequannock Township.
“These projects put federal dollars to work locally and help make travel safer for everyone -- whether you’re walking, biking, driving or making deliveries,” said Commissioner Director Shaw.
The NJTPA oversees regional transportation planning and works with local and state partners to help fund more than $3 billion in transportation investments annually across 13 counties in northern and central New Jersey.
Shaw was first elected to the Morris County Board of County Commissioners in 2019 and has been appointed director for 2026, following two years of service as deputy director and previous service as director in 2021. He joined the NJTPA Board of Trustees in 2023 and was elected to its Executive Committee in 2024, when he was named secretary. Since joining the board, he has served on the Planning and Economic Development Committee and as chair of the Freight Initiatives Committee, a role he will continue for the 2026-2027 term.
Prior to becoming a county commissioner, Shaw served 12 years on the Mountain Lakes Borough Council, including three years as mayor. He also served on the Mountain Lakes Planning Board.
NJTPA Board of Trustees Executive Committee
In addition to Commissioner Shaw and Commissioner Kenny, the NJTPA Board of Trustees selected Warren County Commissioner Jason Sarnoski as first vice chair; Union County Commissioner Michèle S. Delisfort as second vice chair; and Passaic County Commissioner John W. Bartlett as secretary.
The Executive Committee provides leadership and guidance to the full board on planning, policy and administrative matters and meets as needed to review financial, personnel and policy matters. Board membership is an uncompensated position.
The NJTPA is the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for 13 northern New Jersey counties. Under federal legislation, MPOs provide a forum where local officials, public transportation providers and state agency representatives can come together and cooperatively plan to meet the region’s current and future transportation needs. It establishes the region’s eligibility to receive federal tax dollars for transportation projects.
The NJTPA Board consists of one local elected official from each of the 13 counties in the region (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren), and the cities of Newark and Jersey City. The Board also includes a Governor’s Representative, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the Executive Director of NJ TRANSIT, the Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and a Citizen’s Representative appointed by the Governor.
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Photo 1: Stephen H. Shaw, director of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners and third vice chair of the NJTPA.
Photo 3: (l-r) Morris County Commissioner Stephen H. Shaw, NJTPA Board of Trustees third vice chair; Union County Commissioner Michèle S. Delisfort, NJTPA Board of Trustees second vice chair; Middlesex County Commissioner Charles Kenny, NJTPA Board of Trustees chair; Warren County Commissioner Jason Sarnoski, NJTPA Board of Trustees first vice chair; and Passaic County Commissioner John W. Bartlett, NJTPA Board of Trustees secretary.