Politics & Government

DRPA Appoints Acting CEO to Replace Matheussen

Cherry Hill accountant and current DRPA CFO John Hanson will serve a 30-day term after being appointed Wednesday.

A Cherry Hill accountant and former chair of the Camden County Republican Committee will take over as acting chief executive officer of the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), after the DRPA Board of Commissioners on Wednesday appointed him to a 30-day term.

John T. Hanson, the current chief financial officer for the bi-state authority, will take over Friday evening from current CEO John Matheussen, who is leaving after 11 years to become a New Jersey Superior Court judge.

Hanson, a certified public accountant, serves on the authority’s Board of Commissioners as head of its finance committee, and has worked for the DRPA since 2004, after stints as a CFO for a private healthcare company in Cherry Hill and senior vice president of strategic initiatives for the N.J. Department of Commerce under the Whitman administration, among others.

Find out what's happening in West Deptfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hanson also served as Audubon’s deputy mayor from 1997 to 2001.

“John Hanson has done an outstanding job administering the authority’s finances,” said Jeffrey L. Nash, vice chairman of the DRPA’s Board of Commissioners. “His efforts at debt restructuring have earned the respect of Wall Street, and his leadership in improving management efficiencies through the use of Lean Six Sigma has earned the respect of DRPA employees. The authority is in capable hands.”

Find out what's happening in West Deptfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hanson will continue drawing his annual CFO salary of $180,000 while serving as acting CEO; Matheussen made $220,000 annually in the position.

With Hanson moving from the CFO role, James White, the authority’s finance director will serve as acting CFO, and PATCO general manager John Rink will temporarily serve as PATCO’s president until the board appoints a permanent DRPA CEO, who will also head PATCO.

“During this transition, we remain committed to improving the authority’s financial stability, operational efficiency and customer service,” Board of Commissioners Chairman David F. Simon said.

Matheussen, a former state senator and Washington Township resident, leaves as the 11th CEO and the second-longest serving in the DRPA’s history.

“While I’m looking forward an exciting new chapter in my career, this is a bittersweet departure after nearly 11 years,” Matheussen said. “Leading the authority hasn’t always been easy, but it has never been boring. And I am privileged to have worked with so many dedicated, talented people.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here