TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today named New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti as his next Chief of Staff. Gutierrez-Scaccetti will succeed the Governor’s longtime Chief of Staff George Helmy, who is scheduled to leave the Governor’s office at the end of the month. Gutierrez-Scaccetti will begin her new role on Monday, October 2, 2023 and will continue to serve as NJDOT Commissioner until January.

“Diane has been a dedicated member of our Administration since day one and I am looking forward to welcoming her to our senior leadership team in the Governor’s Office,” said Governor Murphy. “She has built an impressive track record leading the Department of Transportation and has earned the respect of legislators and elected officials across the state. Having worked with her for six years, I know that her experience and skillset make her the ideal choice to lead our entire Administration.”

“I am honored that Governor Murphy has entrusted me to serve as his next Chief of Staff,” said incoming Chief of Staff Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “I had the privilege of working with George Helmy closely on transportation and infrastructure policy and am grateful to him for his four and a half years of service in this role. I am committed to continuing to build on the Governor’s achievements on behalf of the people of New Jersey.”

"Governor Murphy has made an exceptional choice in selecting Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti to serve as his next Chief of Staff," said outgoing Chief of Staff George Helmy. "I have worked closely with her and seen up close her leadership, expertise, and tenacity in spearheading the rebuilding of our State’s infrastructure. I know Diane and the rest of the team will serve the people of New Jersey well and continue to build on the Murphy administration’s unprecedented record of accomplishments."

Gutierrez-Scaccetti comes to this role with over 40 years of experience in public service. She spent 21 years at the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, where she rose in the ranks from Contract Administrator to Executive Director. During her tenure, she oversaw administrative operations, led negotiations with collective bargaining units, and played key roles in initiatives such as E-ZPass System remediation and the consolidation of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and New Jersey Highway Authority.

Prior to becoming the Commissioner of the NJDOT, she served as the Executive Director and CEO at Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, where she managed more than 460 centerline miles and a five-year capital program. 

As NJDOT Commissioner, Gutierrez-Scaccetti has managed the largest-ever capital program in state history, awarded significant construction contracts and agreements, and supported communities during the pandemic with mobile vaccination efforts and charitable drives. In her capacity as NJDOT Commissioner, she serves as Chair of NJ TRANSIT, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the South Jersey Transportation Authority, the NJ Transportation Trust Fund Authority, and Vice Chair of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

Gutierrez-Scaccetti is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO) and currently serves as the Chair of the AASHTO Committee on Transportation Communications (TransComm). She served as the 2022 President of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) and is the Immediate Past President on the IBTTA Executive Committee and Chair of the IBTTA Nominating Committee. She currently serves as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and Chair of The Eastern Transportation Coalition (formerly the I-95 Corridor Coalition).

Gutierrez-Scaccetti holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Science degree from Rutgers University.