On Thursday, December 12, 2019 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., the chapter held its annual holiday social at The Bleu Chocolát Café located in Springfield. The social event was an opportunity to thank our sponsors and members for a successful 2019 year and to also network with a wide range of transportation agency leaders and representatives.

While enjoying the café’s delicious cuisines, the chapter’s board of directors announced their 2019 accomplishments and plans for 2020. Next year, the Jacksonville chapter will be celebrating its 20th year anniversary of its official COMTO installation. From the entire COMTO Jacksonville Chapter to you and your families, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It’s a wrap!

(Pictured from left to right: Sherman Rothwell, Chris Macklin, Rene’e Harris, Ken Jefferson, Edrena Bell, Donovan Calicker, Tsopie Trottie, Ida Blaylock, Harris House staff member, Ray Diggs, Bob Prince, Emma Gray, Mike Sandifer)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (December 12, 2019) – For the seventh consecutive year, members of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Jacksonville Chapter facilitate a community outreach effort to support a local senior community for the holiday season. This year, the local chapter stopped by the Harris House Adult Daycare Facility.

Members greeted the seniors at Harris House and delivered holiday gifts which ranged from basic needed items to warm clothing. Harris House has been servicing seniors for over 25 years and cares for residents from the ages of 39 – 104 years old. Owner, Mrs. Rene’e Harris has been providing these resources in the Jacksonville community and was recently awarded the Elizabeth Means Health Award from the NAACP Jacksonville Chapter. Thank you to Mrs. Harris and her entire staff for allowing COMTO Jacksonville to come and spread some holiday cheer.

On November 25, 2019, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), COMTO Jacksonville and IAMUnion partnered together to sponsor the Sulzbacher Village, a permanent, low income housing community for women and families. Residents and families received Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets which included a Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings such as: turkeys, hams, sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce just to name a few.

Special thanks to: Sulzbacher Village residents, Cindy Funkhouser, CEO of Sulzbacher Village, Nathaniel Ford, CEO of the JTA, Melvin Nesmith, IAMUnion Vice President, the JTA Cares Team and COMTO Jacksonville Members.

On November 20, 2019, COMTO Jacksonville hosted its Inaugural COMTO Small Business Exhibit. The exhibit gave vendors a powerful platform for meeting new customers, reaching out to existing customers and building a more established and reliable brand. The vendors took full advantage of showcasing and demonstrating their programs, services, internship and scholarship opportunities. Vendors ranged from transportation services, auto mechanic, professional services, child daycare, small business programs and opportunities, fitness & health training and more.

Special thanks to all of our vendors that participated: Jacksonville Transportation Authority, JEA, Jacksonville Aviation Authority, C&ES Inc., Deborah K. Thompson Consultants, Harvest Interventions, Raiden Performance, iWanna Project, Jazzcellence, LLC., Alpha Environtech Consultants, Keiser University, Global Building Graphic Wraps LLC and Optimal Fitness.

On Thursday, October 17, 2019, the chapter hosted a Membership Mixer amongst COMTO Jax members, small business owners and potential new members. The evening was filled with great conversation and discussions about COMTO’s impact in Jacksonville while enjoying delicious bites catered by Bleu Chocolát Cafe located in Springfield.

Thank you to all that attended! Next up will be our COMTO Jacksonville Small Business Exhibit on November 20, 2019 to kick off COMTO Week 2019.

Stay tuned for more information!

  (From left to right: Dr. Charles Moreland – Panelist, Deborah Thompson – Panelist, Tina Meskel – Panelist, Cantrece Jones – Moderator, Robert “Bob” Prince – Panelist, Chris Macklin – COMTO Jax President, Ida Blaylock – COMTO Jax 1st VP, Mike Sandifer – COMTO Jax Treasurer, Tsopie D. Trottie – COMTO Jax Secretary)

On Wednesday, September 25, 2019, COMTO Jacksonville hosted the 1^st Inaugural “Ask A CEO/Leader Event” at the FDOT Training Facility in Jacksonville, Florida. Several business owners, leaders in transportation and individuals from the community learned about various leadership styles, identifying problem oriented solutions for your business and how to utilize core values while operating a business.

COMTO Jacksonville would like to thank the members of the panel: Dr. Charles Moreland, City of Jacksonville Director of Community & International Affairs, Deborah Thompson, CEO of Deborah K. Thompson Consulting, Robert “Bob” Prince, CEO of Foot Prince, LLC  and Tina Meskel, CEO of Meskel & Associates for sharing their struggles, triumphs, insight of becoming an effective leader and understanding the importance of strategic growth. Also, a huge thanks to Cantrece Jones for moderating this wonderful panel.

On Saturday, September 14, 2019, COMTO Jacksonville’s President, Chris L. Macklin and Secretary, Tsopie D. Trottie were invited guests on the Praise 107.9 FM Ultimate Gospel Experience morning talk show at 8:00 a.m.

Both provided information about the COMTO Jacksonville local chapter, various programs, accomplishments and information about the upcoming “Ask a CEO/Leader” Panel Discussion on September 25^th at the FDOT Building beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The COMTO Jacksonville chapter would like to thank the Praise 107.9 FM radio show for the opportunity to share information with the Jacksonville, Florida community about COMTO’s platform, networking opportunities and benefits of working in the transportation industry.

     (Pictured from left to right: Tsopie D. Trottie, COMTO Jax Secretary, Chris L. Macklin, COMTO Jax President,

Jharman Lighter, Praise 107.9 talk show host)

The 48th National Meeting and Training Conference was held July 13 – July 17, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. 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, multiple mobility initiatives, career and professional development workshops. Also, a big congratulations to COMTO Jax members, Ken Middleton and Ivan Mote. Mr. Middleton won the “Gerald Anderson Service Award” and Mr. Mote was awarded the “Industry Innovative Safety Award”. Job well done!