Clarelle DeGraffe tapped to lead PATH

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has promoted Deputy Director of PATH Clarelle DeGraffe as the director of rail transit and general manager of PATH to succeed Mike Marino, who announced his intention to retire last fall. 

DeGraffe's appointment is effective March 25 and she will be responsible for carrying out PATH’s critical mission of moving nearly 300,000 people daily across the Hudson safely and effectively. She will oversee the department’s capital program, including the ongoing project to replace equipment and rebuild tunnels severely damaged during Superstorm Sandy and the completion of the remaining phases of modernizing its century-old signal system.

DeGraffe will also spearhead initiatives aimed at future capacity growth, reliability and enhanced customer experience, building on recent customer facing initiatives, such as real-time next train arrival info on countdown clocks and the RidePATH app.  

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be selected to lead a department distinguished by so many dedicated and talented men and women, who put their energy, talents and commitment to the PATH riding public out there every day,” said DeGraffe. “I hope to maintain and build on the momentum established under Mike Marino’s leadership in the months and years ahead.”

PANYNJ explains that DeGraffe was instrumental in steering PATH through a series of major modernization and repair projects designed to improve and maintain the system, while also initiating new programs focused on customer experience during her time as deputy director. She is an engineer by training and has served with PANYNJ for nearly three decades. 

PATH Director/General Manager Mike Marino, who has served as director since 2015 and who has worked in the passenger rail industry for 45 years, will assist DeGraffe during the transition period before retiring early next month. Marino was originally scheduled to retire in January 2019 but postponed the date to assure continuity and oversight of the Positive Train Control (PTC) signal system installation at PATH.

“We are thrilled that Clarelle has agreed to accept this role of leading PATH forward,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “She has been a dynamic presence both at PATH and throughout the Port Authority for decades, always embracing new challenges with poise and alacrity. While we are losing a true veteran of the railroad in Mike Marino, who will be missed, we are gaining a great leader in Clarelle.” 

Marino’s outstanding contribution during his tenure efforts include the successful implementation and federal certification of the safety technology PTC, installation of a new communications-based signal system, extensive repair and replacement work necessitated by Superstorm Sandy, and a series of new customer service initiatives and enhancements throughout the PATH system.

“We’re confident that, in Clarelle DeGraffe, we have the leader best qualified to continue the great progress PATH has made under Mike’s stewardship,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “She will bring the highest caliber of expertise and leadership to this critical role for the region and for the nearly 300,000 customers who rely on PATH each day. We congratulate Clarelle on her new leadership role, and we thank Mike for his outstanding dedicated service.”