Joan McDonald
ChairJoan McDonald was appointed a Commissioner of the NYS Bridge Authority in 2020, when she was also elected Chair of the Board. A resident of Putnam County, she has a wealth of experience in transportation and government. Ms. McDonald currently serves as the Director of Operations for Westchester County and served as the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation from 2011-2015. She has served on the Transportation Research Board and the Women’s Transportation Seminar. She currently serves on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. Ms. McDonald received her master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University and her bachelor’s degree from LeMoyne College.
Maria Bruni
Vice ChairMaria Bruni was appointed a Commissioner of the New York State Bridge Authority in 2020, when she was also elected Vice Chair of the Board. Ms. Bruni’s career in economic development and municipal government began in 1994 with the City of Middletown and she currently holds the position of Economic & Community Development Director for the City. Maria Bruni is a lifelong resident of the Hudson Valley and still resides in the City of Middletown.
Alexander Berardi
Alexander Berardi was appointed a commissioner of the New York State Bridge Authority in 2020. Mr. Berardi is a ground transportation executive focused on the future of connecting people. He is presently employed as President of Trailways.com and as Director at Trailways of New York. He formerly served on the Board of and as an Executive Committee Member of the Trailways Transportation System based in Fairfax, Virginia. He was born in and continues to reside in the Hudson Valley.
Ilan Gilbert
Ilan Gilbert was appointed a Commissioner of the New York State Bridge Authority in 2020. A resident of Westchester County, Ilan Gilbert has decades of experience in all facets of government, where he has spent 35 Years as a Court Attorney/Referee in State Supreme Court. Additionally, he has served his community as Town Justice and Town Supervisor. Mr. Gilbert is an alumnus of SUNY Binghamton and Hofstra University Law School.
Freddimir Garcia
Freddimir Garcia was appointed a Commissioner of the New York State Bridge Authority in 2025. A trusted leader in governance and community engagement, he brings deep expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion and board experience. Mr. Garcia serves on the Boards of Rhinebeck Bank, Family Services, RUPCO, and Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, where he has advanced inclusive leadership, strategic planning, and regional partnerships. A proud two-time graduate of Marist College, Mr. Garcia holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and earned a Diversity & Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
Roger Higgins
Roger Higgins was first appointed a Commissioner in 2010 and was reappointed in 2025. A resident of Dutchess County, Mr. Higgins has an accomplished career as an educator and public servant. Mr. Higgins served on the Dutchess County Legislature, rising to the position of Chairman of the Legislature, and he brings a wealth of experience in governmental management. Mr. Higgins holds a BA from SUNY Brockport and an M.Ed. from Springfield College.
Explore Our Bridges
Tolls today are actually lower, in real dollars, than they were in 1933 when the Authority began operations.