One of the things I enjoy most is pitching good stories and responding to challenging media inquiries. While at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and NJ Transit, I gained extensive experience in both.

Both organizations are critical to the economic life of the New York-New Jersey region. Both affect hundreds of thousands of people and products each day, including bus and rail commuters, air passengers, air and maritime cargo, flight operations and more. As a result, their operations are extremely high profile and they make news every day and most nights. Here is a sampling of news coverage in which I had a hand. I would be happy to provide more samples of news coverage upon request.

Note: The following links require the free Adobe Reader software.

NJ Transit expects to hold fares, service despite $7 million state cut - Newark Star-Ledger
March 17, 1994

Using Train Stations as a Focus for Redevelopment - New York Times
Nov. 14, 1993

Riders dash to donate storm aid - Newark-Star-Ledger
August 1992
This story is the result of one of my proudest accomplishments. Soon after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida, where I had attended high school and my parents still lived, I approached NJ Transit's CEO with an outlandish request: That we appeal to our commuters to donate supplies for South Florida's schools and children. We created the "A is for Andrew" campaign, which -- thanks to support from the state's news media -- drew an overwhelming response from our riders. Using business contacts at Amtrak, a local packaging company and other business partners, we were able to collect, pack and ship thousands of supplies - at no cost - to South Florida. The most important result is that we helped when help was desperately needed. The side-benefit was dozens of positive media stories about NJ Transit. All the result of an outlandish idea.

Armando Arrastia

502-545-1588