
14. Patrick Foye
2014 Power List
Foye is a political curiosity in New York. Central Casting would likely place him in the role of college professor with elbow patches with smudges of chalk furiously pacing about a lecture hall. Instead, he is executive director of the New York and New Jersey Port Authority, overseeing billions of dollars in infrastructure in arguably one of the most politically sensitive positions in the region. Before taking on this role, Foye was involved in real estate, mergers and acquisitions at the prestigious law firm Skadden Arps and did a stint as head of the United Way Long Island. His brief tenure in Nassau County ended rather abruptly, but he quickly rebounded under the watchful eye of Gov. Andrew Cuomo to become director of the Port Authority. Oh, and did we mention that Foye was at the center of (and on the right side of) the firestorm that was “Bridge-gate?” He may not be beloved on the other side of the bridges and tunnels he’s in charge of, but he came out unscathed on our side. Any time Long Island can get one over on Jersey, we’ll take it.