Assistant Commissioner                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Planning, MultiModel & Grant Administration                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)

Michael Russo was appointed to the position of Assistant Commissioner in August 2017. Mike is responsible for managing approximately 230 employees in the Divisions of Statewide Planning, Multimodal Services, Local Aid and Economic Development, Environmental Resources, and the Bureau of Transportation Data and Safety.

Mike has 34 years with NJDOT beginning his career as a Civil Engineer Trainee in the Region 3 Design Office working primarily on projects along the Route 1 corridor. Most recently Mike served as Director of Local Aid and Economic Development leading a team of professional and administrative staff in five Local Aid offices responsible for the Department’s $530 million Local Aid program.

Earlier in his career Mike served in various capacities including Project Engineer of a Roadway Design Squad, District Engineer of the Freehold Local Aid Office, and Manager of the Bureau of Design Coordination and Geometric Design. Mike also served in the Division of Project Planning and Development managing Concept Development and Feasibility Assessment efforts on projects throughout the state including the I-295/Route 42/I- 76 Direct Connection Project.

Mike received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Miami in 1983 and resides in Columbus with his wife and two children.