Our Leadership

Acting Commissioner

Christian Jackstadt was named Acting Commissioner in April 2026. He previously served as Executive Deputy Commissioner starting in March 2022.

In that role, Mr. Jackstadt oversaw the agency’s day-to-day operations, and he has been instrumental in advancing its strategic goals. Under his guidance, the agency renewed its focus on customer service, improved its organizational culture and successfully completed the first half of the largest technology modernization project in DMV history. He has worked with the leadership team to shatter perceptions of DMV by providing simplified, effective and responsive government services.

Prior to joining DMV, Mr. Jackstadt served as the Deputy Director of State Operations in the Executive Chamber, overseeing the daily operations of state agencies, authorities and public benefit corporations.  In that role he was integral in the COVID-19 response effort as he led all state-run vaccination and testing operations, and he assisted with key recovery efforts to stabilize New York after the pandemic.

Mr. Jackstadt also previously served as an associate commissioner for the NYS Office of General Services, managing projects, overseeing state real estate, risk assessment, and cybersecurity. 

The Acting Commissioner holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Syracuse University.

Deputy Commissioner of Operations

She has served DMV customers in the NYC Metropolitan area for nearly 20 years. She began in 2005 ­­­as an entry-level Motor Vehicle Representative and quickly rose through the ranks, holding virtually every supervisory level position within Operations. Carol also held two Director positions in Operations, first as the Metro Central District Director and then as the Metropolitan Regional Director, overseeing 12 District Offices located throughout the five boroughs in New York City, in addition to eight Traffic Violation Bureaus. 

Carol’s calm, yet commanding presence, has enabled her to lead her teams through some of the most difficult challenges that DMV has ever faced. Carrying the baton of her predecessor, she continues to help the agency move forward in re-imagining different avenues of effective customer service in a new modern age. Throughout all of her roles in the agency, she has been a motivator and mentor and brings that same commitment to her position on the Department’s Executive Team.

Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel

Joshua Vinciguerra was appointed Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel in February 2023.

Mr. Vinciguerra serves as the Chief Legal Officer of DMV and provides legal advice to the Commissioner, the Governor’s Executive Chamber, and DMV’s Executive team.

He also provides guidance to all program areas within DMV and is responsible for over 120 attorneys and staff in the Legal Division. He oversees all aspects of administrative law at DMV, including the Safety Hearings Unit and the Administrative Adjudication Section of the Traffic Violations Bureau. As part of DMV’s Executive team, he participates in setting the strategic direction for the agency.

Before coming to DMV, Mr. Vinciguerra served as Director of the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement at the New York State Department of Health. He is a former Assistant United States Attorney, Assistant Attorney General, and Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Mr. Vinciguerra is a graduate of Cornell University and Albany Law School.

Deputy Commissioner of Technology, Strategy, and Innovation

Lisa Koumjian was appointed Deputy Commissioner in May 2022 to help transform all facets of customer experience at DMV and to guide the agency through its most significant modernization in its history.

Ms. Koumjian feels privileged to lead a team of dedicated professionals who passionately support New Yorkers by providing innovative solutions for DMV's staff and customers.

Ms. Koumjian joined DMV in April 2018 as the Assistant Commissioner for Communications. In that role, she oversaw the department’s crisis communications, public relations, creative services and marketing strategy. In an expanded role, she facilitated the release of a new and improved DMV website and online customer portal, expanded the agency's online transactions and over-the-phone self-service options, and led the team responsible for launching one of the nation's first mobile IDs.

Prior to coming to DMV, Ms. Koumjian served as a Public Information Officer for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Her detailed knowledge of the news media comes from her roles as a news producer at WXXA-TV and Time Warner Cable News and a senior producer at WTEN.

Lisa is a life-long learner who cares deeply about fulfilling DMV's mission to drive you forward, and is excited to continue bringing simplified, effective, and responsive services to the millions of people, businesses and industries DMV serves.

Deputy Commissioner for Traffic Safety and Investigations

Mary Tanner-Richter was appointed to the position of Deputy Commissioner for Traffic Safety and Investigations in January 2025. Ms. Tanner-Richter began her career at DMV as Deputy Counsel in 2024.

In her role as Deputy Commissioner, Ms. Tanner-Richter oversees the Division of Field Investigations and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC).

Before joining the DMV, Mary worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Albany County beginning in 2001 and served as its Vehicular Crimes Bureau Chief from 2008 to 2024.

Mary also served as one of two New York State Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor from 2017 to 2023, and on the Committee on Character and Fitness for the Third Judicial District from 2018 to 2023.

When Mary is away from the office she enjoys spending time with her family, being the loudest cheerleader at her girls’ volleyball games and getting in a run or two.

Ms. Tanner-Richter is a graduate of Nazareth College of Rochester and Albany Law School.