Mayor James Solomon Appoints Andrew Kaplan As Infrastructure Director And Removes "Acting" Designation From Hedc Director Annisia Cialone
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Nathaniel Styer | Communications Director
MAYOR JAMES SOLOMON APPOINTS ANDREW KAPLAN AS INFRASTRUCTURE DIRECTOR AND REMOVES "ACTING" DESIGNATION FROM HEDC DIRECTOR ANNISIA CIALONE
Jersey City resident and nationally recognized transportation engineer appointed as Infrastructure Director; Cialone's full appointment recognizes nearly eight years of proven leadership over the city's housing and economic development agenda
JERSEY CITY, NJ [March 16, 2026] — Mayor James Solomon today announced the appointment of Andrew (Andy) G. Kaplan as Infrastructure Director for the City of Jersey City, and the removal of the "Acting" designation from Annisia Cialone, who will serve as the permanent Director of the Department of Housing, Economic Development & Commerce (HEDC) with city council approval.
A Jersey City resident and award-winning transportation professional engineer, Kaplan brings more than 15 years of experience in transportation safety, operations, and planning to the cabinet-level role. Cialone, who has led HEDC since August 2018, brings nearly eight years of institutional leadership and a deep command of the city's housing, planning, and economic development landscape.
"Andy and Annisia are exactly the kind of leaders Jersey City needs right now,"
said Mayor James Solomon. "Andy has spent his entire career making transportation systems safer, smarter, and more equitable through Vision Zero, and he lives here, he knows our infrastructure, and he is genuinely invested in our community. And Annisia has already proven herself in this role for nearly eight years. She knows HEDC inside and out, she knows our neighborhoods, and she knows how to deliver an affordable Jersey City for our residents. I am proud to make both of these appointments official."
"I am honored to serve the city I call home and am raising my children in," said
Infrastructure Director Andy Kaplan. "Jersey City has incredible momentum and an opportunity to build infrastructure that allows our community to travel to school, work and friends — safely — no matter if they are walking, cycling, taking transit or driving. I look forward to working alongside Mayor Solomon, our dedicated city teams, and the community to make that vision a reality."
"It is a privilege to step fully into this role and continue the work we have been building together," said
HEDC Director Annisia Cialone. "From affordable housing and equitable transit-oriented development to supporting our small businesses and protecting tenants, the work of this department touches the daily lives of every Jersey City resident. I am grateful for Mayor Solomon's confidence and look forward to delivering for the people of this city."
Kaplan most recently served at the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), where he led regional initiatives, developed a Traffic Signal Strategic Investment Plan, and facilitated regional dialogue on autonomous vehicle policy. Prior to that, he spent six years at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where he oversaw traffic engineering operations at JFK, LaGuardia, and Stewart Airports, helped deliver the $8 billion LaGuardia Airport Redevelopment Program without interruption to record-breaking operations, and oversaw that organization's regional traffic management center. Earlier in his career, he managed the Transportation Safety Resource Center at Rutgers University's Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation, providing technical guidance and data analysis to local agencies throughout New Jersey to improve safety.
Kaplan is a nationally recognized leader in traffic safety. He launched the national Vision Zero committee within the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and chaired the technical working group. He holds both a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Construction Management from Stevens Institute of Technology. Kaplan has deep roots in Jersey City's civic community, having served on the board of Safe Streets JC — which successfully advocated for the adoption of Vision Zero — and the Hudson County Complete Streets Advisory Board, including providing strategic advice to the Better PATH Campaign.
Cialone brings a broad range of experience in architecture, urban design, and urban planning, with expertise spanning large-scale mixed-use projects, waterfront developments, transit-oriented development, and affordable housing. Prior to her appointment as HEDC Director, she served as the Director of the Division of City Planning for the City of Jersey City. She is a Planner certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), a licensed Professional Planner in the State of New Jersey, and a LEED Accredited Professional. She holds degrees from the Cooper Union and Harvard University's Graduate School of Design, and has lectured on redevelopment, affordable housing, and equitable transit-oriented development at NYU, NJIT, Cornell University, and the University of Auckland, among others. Cialone is a 20 year resident of Jersey City and is raising two wonderful children in the city.
As Infrastructure Director, Kaplan will oversee the City's engineering, architectural design, traffic engineering, transportation planning, and sustainability functions, reporting directly to the Business Administrator.
As HEDC Director, Cialone will continue to lead the department's nine divisions — spanning City Planning, Zoning, Construction Code, Commerce, Economic Development, Community Development, Housing Preservation, Affordable Housing, and Tenant's Right to Counsel. Her permanent appointment is effective immediately.
Both positions will be voted on at the March 25th, 2026 meeting of the City Council.