Fourth Annual RPA New Jersey Reception also recognizes the Raritan Valley Line Mayors’ Alliance

On the evening of Thursday, February 26, Regional Plan Association will present the Governor James J. Florio Leadership Award to Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive, during the fourth annual RPA New Jersey Reception at the Newark Museum of Art.

The award, named in honor of the late Governor Florio, was created by RPA to recognize and celebrate New Jersey leaders who embody the Governor’s legacy through their work toward better mobility, stronger and more inclusive communities, and a more resilient New Jersey and region. Governor Florio was a true public servant, serving in the NJ State Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives for more than two decades before serving as Governor of New Jersey. He was a Board Member and Co-Chair of RPA’s NJ Committee for more than 20 years, helping to set RPA’s policy priorities for the Garden State.

“Governor Florio was a deeply committed public servant whose legacy includes key policies including creating the federal Superfund program, establishing the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, and supporting mass transit,” said Tom Wright, President & CEO of RPA. ​“Jim was a Vice Chair of RPA’s Board of Directors for over two decades, and advocated tirelessly for policies to address climate change and build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River. We are honored to recognize Hudson County Executive Craig Guy as the recipient of the 2026 Jim Florio Award, named in honor of a great statesman, civic leader, and friend.”

The Guy Administration has committed itself to the expansion of services and opportunities for every resident. Upon his election, Guy established a historically diverse senior staff to craft ambitious new goals for county government in a host of areas, including employment, training and workforce development, and to that end, he has reestablished the Hudson County Workforce Development Board. Understanding the needs of his constituency, Guy is also taking affirmative steps to create affordable housing in the County.

Guy has implemented the Hudson County Vision Zero Action Plan, with the goal of achieving zero deaths on county roadways by 2034. As affordable housing remains one of the most important issues in our area, Guy recently unveiled the Hudson County Affordable Housing Initiative. Under this plan, the county will develop several parcels of underutilized, County-owned land for residential housing, a substantial portion of which will be earmarked for low-income and working-class Hudson County families.

Guy is also a vocal and influential supporter of transformative regional projects, including the Gateway Program and the Essex–Hudson Greenway. His advocacy for these critical mobility and open-space investments reflects a deep understanding that reliable transportation, connected communities, and accessible public spaces are essential to economic vitality and quality of life across the region.

The event is also an opportunity to toast the Raritan Valley Line Mayors’ Alliance, a bi-partisan advocacy group of 32 Mayors from Union, Somerset, Hunterdon and Middlesex Counties advocating for fair and equitable service for more than 23,000 users of the Raritan Valley Line.

Last year’s honorees were Loretta Weinberg, retired Senate Majority Leader, and Kevin O’Toole, Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, for their leadership and collaboration on the re-imagined Port Authority Bus Terminal.