Category Archives: Press Releases

Press Releases

COMTO Jacksonville Member is a Proud Mom

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Yetunde Oyewole

Head Strong | Presenting the winning model (Danielle Oyewole) and designer (Kathleen Balbona) the 2018 Jacksonville Magazine Fashion Project

Yetunde Oyewole, COMTO member and JTA employee, recalls when her daughter, Danielle was born:

Twenty five years ago Danielle was born right in the middle of the day at St. Vincent’s Hospital. At the same time of my delivery, her Godmother, Elsie Shofolu (JTA Bus Operator) was hired at JTA and now one of many passengers on JTA Buses! Who would have thought? Yetunde states that as a child, Danielle has always been fashion conscious so it was no surprise to witness her daughter’s most recent accomplishment as the 2018 JAX Magazine Fashion project.

Growing up in a family with three kids, Danielle was quite adventurous, and the one you would be concerned about if the house was too quiet. You may find her somewhere in the corner dressing up, styling her hair or coloring the wall with paint or hair grease. It took me a long time to finally realize that it was her creative talent that was at work.

Danielle made it known to her Dad and I early in life that she was interested in being a model, which we were not objected to at the time, other than we felt she was too young. However, as time went on we came to realize that we needed to support her in this endeavor as much as possible. She was the kid in the grocery basket you would see waving and smiling at everyone! She never met a stranger, which explains why she had a lot of friends growing. This attribute played an interesting role in many of her activities, such as cheerleading, dance and gymnastics to name a few.

I call her my “out of the box” child because she pushes the boundaries, she’s highly talented, strong and determined. I believe the sky is the limit for her modeling career!

Danielle inspires to one day have her own modeling company. Therefore, as a COMTO member, I frequently share information I have received in our meetings with Danielle about opportunities and benefits of networking through the organization, to help her learn what it takes for a minority to start and run a business. Currently, Danielle is seeking advice from small businesses in Jacksonville, Florida and I am thrilled that she has started the process of joining me as a COMTO Jacksonville member.

Please visit the link below to read more about the 2018 Jax Magazine Fashion Project Winning Model: Danielle Oyewole

http://www.jacksonvillemag.com/2018/11/14/fashion-project-2018-winners/

 

Press Releases

Wrapping Up Another Successful Year of Giving for COMTO Jacksonville!

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(From left to right: Sherman Rothwell, Emma Gray, Sherri Barr, Chris Macklin, Edrena Bell, Ida O. Blaylock, Robert “Bob” Prince, Jr.)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (December 14, 2018) – For the sixth consecutive year, members of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Jacksonville Chapter facilitated a community outreach effort to support the local senior community.

Members boarded a Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) trolley to deliver holiday gifts to the residents of Peterson’s Assisted Living facility in Springfield. The gifts largely consisted of basic need items like warm clothing and personal care products. Peterson provides full support and housing to low-income senior citizens. Community champion, Mrs. Mary Peterson, has been providing these resources in the greater Jacksonville community for 47 years.

Press Releases

Tips to Help Your Small Business Become Successful

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On November 14, 2018, Bank of America Business Consultant, Krystle Cobb shared vital information about business strategies, cash flow, planning and problem solving during our monthly COMTO meeting.  Cobb also highlighted Bank of America’s partnership with AlphaCode Incubate.  This partnership provides services to help create and grow young businesses by affording financial, technical, legal and marketing support/expertise.

All information given by Cobb was well received by the COMTO Jacksonville members.

Press Releases

COMTO Jacksonville Past President honored at September Monthly Meeting

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During the September 2018 General Body Meeting, Aisha Eccleston was honored for her leadership, hard work and dedication in her previous role as President of the COMTO Jacksonville Chapter.  She was presented with a plaque of appreciation and joined by members of the COMTO Jacksonville Chapter.

(from left to right:  Endya Freeman,  Shilene Singleton, Ida Blaylock, Aisha Eccleston, Emma Shipman, Tsopie Trottie, Terri Smith and Chris Macklin)

Shilene Singleton, 1st Vice President of Jacksonville’s COMTO Chapter, was this month’s speaker.  She spoke on the Eight Traits of Success and how it had a positive impact on her life.  Singleton is also an entrepreneur and owns an Allstate Insurance franchise.

 

Press Releases

COMTO Jacksonville Attends National Conference

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The 47th National Meeting and Training Conference was held July 28 – August 1, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. The conference is open to transportation professionals at all career levels, government employees, manufacturers and suppliers, and all interested participants. Conference highlights included:   High-level round tables and panel discussions, CEU courses on industry trends, technical tours of local transportation agencies and projects, career and professional development workshops.

 

Press Releases

COMTO Jacksonville celebrates 100 year old World War II Veteran at June Meeting

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The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Jacksonville Chapter held their June monthly general body meeting on June 20, 2018 at the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.

Mr. Sollie Mitchell served as the special guest speaker and also celebrated his 100th birthday today. Mitchell is a World War II Veteran and Civil Rights Icon with a 35 year career in the railroad industry. One of his most notable accomplishments was being the only Pullman car porter on the 1963 Freedom Train that took passengers from Jacksonville, Florida to the 1963 march on Washington.

Mitchell shared advice on what led him to success and longevity by saying “Treat everyone with respect and develop friendships with your customers.” After an inspiring message from Mr. Mitchell, the chapter celebrated with him and presented a birthday cake.

Other special guests included, former Florida Senator Tony Hill, who is a long time COMTO supporter and Marsha Phelts who is the author of Sollie’s book entitled “Sollie Mitchell’s 1st 100 years: A Memoir”. Senator Hill presented COMTO Jacksonville President, Chris Macklin with a signed copy of the book.

We sincerely thank Mr. Mitchell, Senator Hill, Mrs. Phelts, visitors and the COMTO Jacksonville members for making this meeting unforgettable and uplifting.

Press Releases

COMTO Jacksonville Holds 10th Annual Bowl-A-Thon Fundraiser

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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA– June 11, 2018 – The Conference of Minority Transportation

Officials (COMTO) Jacksonville Chapter held their 10th Annual Bowl-a-Thon on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at Bowl America on Beach Boulevard.  Approximately 50 people participated in the event, which supports COMTO’s general and scholarship funds. The Chapter received over $16,000 in pledges and sponsorships for this year’s event.

A core mission of COMTO is to attract the best and brightest to the transportation industry. During the Bowl-A-Thon, three college students who plan to embark on transportation related majors were each awarded a scholarship ranging from $500 to $1,500.

The COMTO Jacksonville Chapter would like to thank our gracious sponsors for their contributions in assisting to raise funds to support our community programs.

A special thank you to Bowl-A-Thon Committee Chair & Co-chairs Chris Macklin and Edrena Bell, as well as participants, COMTO members and a host of volunteers that supported this year’s event.

 

Press Releases

COMTO Jacksonville Unites with Northeast Florida Transportation Organizations to Present Business Summit

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Pictured above from left: Jeff Price, President, Propeller Club of Jacksonville; Cheryl Freeman, President, Women’s Transportation Seminar, Northeast Florida Chapter; Aisha Eccleston, President, Conference of Minority Transportation Official (COMTO) Jacksonville Chapter; Ike Sherlock, President, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals; Brandon Nelson, President, Transportation Club of Jacksonville, and Scott Lane, President, JAX Chamber Transportation and Logistics Council.

The Transportation and Logistics Network (TALON) hosted a sold out business summit, “Progress 2018: Preparing for the Change to Come”, on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at the University of North Florida’s Adam W. Herbert University Center. The event was held to educate transportation professionals about the digital trends affecting supply chains.

The summit featured keynote speaker Brian Wynne, President and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). Propeller Club President Jeff Price served as master of ceremonies. The event was sponsored by Beaver Street Fisheries, Inc. Sea Best Corp., First Coast Industrial, The Grimes Companies, DAMCO, EnSafe, Main Ocean Port Services, and the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). In addition, panel discussions on transportation technology and industry projects, as well as networking opportunities, connected maritime, transportation and logistics professionals with information relevant to the industry.

The program concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the presidents of the six host organizations, Propeller Club, COMTO Jacksonville, CSCMP, TCJAX, WTS and the Jax Chamber T&L Council as they pledged to:

  • inform maritime, transportation, logistics and transit professionals about industry developments;
  • educate the public about the importance of the industry to the regional economy; and
  • promote the Northeast Florida region as a hub for multi-modal transportation and logistics activity.

Photos from the event are now available on the Propeller Club’s Facebook Page, courtesy of Russ Dixon/Elvacomm. Additional details on the event can be found HERE .

COMTO members pictured: Ray Diggs; Sherri Barr, Secretary; Edrena Bell, 1st Vice President; Aisha Eccleston President

 

 

Press Releases

Now Accepting Chapter Nominations for the 2018-2020 Executive Board

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In accordance with Article V of the Chapter Bylaws, COMTO Jacksonville is requesting nominations for Chapter Officers to serve for the period June 2018 thru June 2020. The following officers shall be nominated and elected by the voting membership:

1. Chapter President
2. First-Vice President
3. Second-Vice President
4. Secretary
5. Treasurer

All members “in good standing” are eligible to nominate, to be nominated and hold office.  A member in good standing is herein defined as being current with respect to dues payments.

Multiple nominations are allowed. Each nomination requires a separate submission. Nominations will close Friday, April 13, 2018 at 5:00p.m.

Meet the candidates at the April 18, 2018 Monthly Membership Meeting.

The voting period is April 23 – May 4, 2018. You will receive a voting notification.

The Committee will announce results of the election on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at the Monthly Membership Meeting. New officers will be sworn in.

We look forward to a successful election with the participation of all eligible members.  Please complete this nomination form which is due by close of business Friday, April 13, 2018.

View COMTO National Bylaws :

If you have any questions contact a member of the Elections Committee:
Aisha Eccleston – [email protected]
Sherri Barr – [email protected]
Endya Freeman – [email protected]