Gary Holsten is a seasoned law enforcement executive and nationally recognized traffic safety leader with over 25 years of professional experience in public safety, roadway enforcement, community engagement, and strategic partnerships. As Executive Vice President of the New Jersey Police Traffic Officers Association, Gary is at the forefront of initiatives that influence public policy, drive multi-agency collaboration, and improve roadway safety throughout the region.
Gary’s distinguished career in law enforcement began with the South Brunswick Township Police Department, where he rose through the ranks from Sergeant to Sergeant First Class, and ultimately to Lieutenant and Commander of the Traffic Safety Division. In this capacity, he led a dedicated team of officers and civilian staff, overseeing all aspects of traffic enforcement, crash investigations, public education campaigns, and interagency coordination. His leadership was instrumental in developing forward-thinking safety programs, strengthening relationships with state and federal transportation agencies, and influencing the legislative process through direct policy input and advisory roles.
An expert in practical traffic engineering and roadway incident management for Police Officers, Gary has served as an instructor at Rutgers University’s Division of Continuing Studies, where he helped train and mentor the next generation of police officers in the application of traffic laws, engineering principles, and real-world problem-solving strategies. His hands-on expertise is further supported by multiple industry certifications, including Crash Reconstructionist, Work Zone Safety Instructor, and Traffic Incident Management Instructor.
Gary is an accomplished public speaker and thought leader, having presented at national conferences such as the Annual Work Zone Safety Conference and the Strategic Highway Safety Conference. He has also provided expert commentary and analysis for television audiences during coverage of serious and fatal crash events. His voice has been featured in Reader’s Digest and across professional networks for his work on strategic highway planning and community safety.
Throughout his career, Gary has demonstrated a unique ability to build lasting relationships across public and private sectors. He is known for his approachable leadership style, deep network of stakeholders, and commitment to making measurable impacts on public safety outcomes. Whether coordinating with municipal leaders, transportation departments, or private industry partners, Gary consistently brings vision, operational excellence, and strategic thinking to the table.
Outside of his professional life, Gary is family-centric and enjoys fitness, scuba diving, and spending time at the beach. He is currently active on the boards of the New Jersey Police Traffic Officers Association and the Work Zone Safety Partnership and is seeking additional board opportunities where he can leverage his extensive leadership, training, and operational experience to support mission-driven organizations. Gary is especially interested in roles within the public safety, infrastructure, community development, and transportation sectors.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and recent leadership training from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Command & Leadership Academy, Gary brings a well-rounded, action-oriented perspective to governance and advisory roles. He is motivated by the belief that real-world experience, when combined with strategic insight and collaborative execution, can bring meaningful change to communities and organizations alike.
Character: Gary Holsten is a principled and mission-driven leader known for his integrity, dedication to public safety, and commitment to community well-being.
Knowledge: With over 25 years of experience, Gary brings deep expertise in traffic safety, law enforcement operations, and practical traffic engineering.
Strategic: He has a proven track record of building high-impact partnerships and shaping policy initiatives that drive long-term roadway safety improvements.
Communication: Gary is a skilled communicator and public speaker who effectively engages stakeholders, delivers media commentary, and leads officer training at the state level.
