The September meeting featured a keynote from Mr. Tony Cugno, AAE, IAP, Chief Operating Officer of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA). He provide an in depth overview of airport operations and discussed business opportunities.  Jacksonville International (JAX) has been ranked third best airport in North America by Airports Council International, an advocacy group.

At the 46th National Meeting and Training Conference in Detroit, Michigan on July 18th the Jacksonville chapter of Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) and its members were recently honored with three awards at the annual COMTO Industry Awards Dinner during the organization’s National Meeting and Training Conference.

The organization’s highest honor, the Thomas G. Neusom Founders’ Leadership Award, was presented to Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr., JTA’s Chief Executive Officer.

COMTO Jax member Christopher Macklin, DBE/Diversity Compliance Officer/Diversity & Equity Program at JTA, received the emerging leader award.

The Jacksonville Chapter received the award for best membership recruitment and retention activities.

Learn more about each award here.

At the June monthly meeting, Kevin J. Holzendorf provided members an update on new funding in Washington, D.C. and how the changes affect transportation and infrastructure initiatives.  Holzendorf is an Account Manager at CISCO Systems, Inc., JTA Board Vice Chairman and APTA Board Member.

Also, the Jacksonville chapter awarded a $1,500 scholarship to Marcus K. Rentz. Rentz is an incoming freshman at Armstrong State University.

JAXPORT marketing expert Aisha Eccleston has been named one of Jacksonville Business Journal’s 40 under 40 recognizing Jacksonville’s most successful young business leaders.

Aisha has served in positions of increasing responsibility during her 10 years at JAXPORT, working in business development as well as sales and marketing. In her current role, Aisha provides guidance and assistance to freight forwarders and customs brokers looking to grow existing business opportunities and attract new business through JAXPORT. Last year, Aisha was nominated to participate in the country’s first U.S. Department of Transportation’s Every Place Counts Leadership Academy, held in Washington D.C.

Aisha is currently president of the Jacksonville Chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO Jax). She also gives her time to numerous community efforts, including serving as a JAXPORT mentor through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

On Tuesday, April 11, 2017 COMTO Jacksonville hosted its 3rd annual college leadership event and provided local college students professional head shots. Forbes Magazine lists a professional head shot as one of the 8 Things Today’s College Students Must Invest In To Get Hired.  The event featured special guest speaker Fred Haley who shared his secrets on how to achieve career goals. ADD VALUE!

JAXPORT immediate past Chairman and current Board Member Dr. John Allen Newman provided an opening motivational address at the monthly meeting held at JAXPORT’s Main Office today.

Dr. Newman discussed the importance of opportunities for small and minority-led businesses and encouraged attendees to take advantage of the educational seminars offered by JAXPORT and JTA. He also encourages those with access to opportunities to be door openers and not gate keepers.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (December 16, 2016) – Members of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Jacksonville Chapter boarded a Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) Trolley to deliver holiday gifts senior residents of Peaches NA Basket and Harris House assisted living facilities.

Personal wish lists were collected from thirty senior citizens.  The lists largely consisted of basic need items like warm clothing and personal care products. Over the past 4 years, COMTO Jacksonville has supported over 120 senior residents that may not have received gifts otherwise.

This year’s outreach and social would not have been possible without our generous sponsors; Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), Anheuser Busch, Premier Management Corporation, Walmart, Total Transportation Corporation, International Association of Machinists, Mr. Robert Prince, JAXPORT, Ray Diggs, Giovanni Transport, McDaniel’s Construction Corp. Inc., Mrs. Betty Gambill, Mrs. Emma Gray, Mrs. Martini White and a host of individual supporters.

The COMTO Jacksonville Chapter hosted its annual holiday social at The Candy Apple Café on Thursday, December 15, 2016 from 4:30 – 6:30pm. The event was an opportunity to thank our generous senior outreach sponsors. Without them we could not have reached our goal to support local senior citizens. The social also provided a platform for members to network with a wide range of transportation agency leaders and representatives.