The Transportation and Logistics Network (TALON) in Jacksonville is comprised of seven transportation and logistic clubs focusing on different aspects of the industry. These societies and organization joined forces under TALON to help connect transportation professionals in NE FL and create improved lines of communications/collaboration amongst the different clubs. This career matching event was one joint initiative that TALON members were excited to champion. In collaboration with USO, this career fair focused on matching high quality careers with returning military and their families. COMTO Jax is proud to have been a supporter for our military service men and women as they transition into the next chapter of their life.
The August Breakfast Meeting was hosted at the Jacksonville Transportation Authority Myrtle Avenue Operation Campus. Many members were in attendance, as well as, some new faces learning about COMTO Jacksonville and the initiatives that we are focusing on. The meeting included: delicious breakfast from minority-owned caterer – “Fatmanwithskillz, LLC”, discussion was had about the strategic goals, we recognized and had a pinning ceremony for our immediate Past-President “Christopher Macklin” and last but not least unveiled the new website. In summary, we celebrated the transportation industry in Jacksonville and left rejuvenated from the networking and information sharing.
Creating the vision for a career takes more than hard-work and dedication to bring it to fruition. It also includes making substantial connections with potential colleagues to fulfill the search for the ultimate “Dream Job”. The COMTO Jacksonville Chapter successfully hosted an interactive seminar on Thursday, July 28th to over 30 interns at the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA). During their internship tenure, each student is gaining expertise in various departments of the JTA ranging from I.T., Marketing, Operations, Procurement, Automation and more.
The purpose of the seminar hosted by COMTO Jacksonville not only showcased the local organization’s accomplishments and perks to join, but also the benefits of building long lasting relationships with contemporaries involved in the transportation & logistics realm. The students learned about “Crafting the Perfect Elevator Speech to Land Your Dream Job!” and the information was well received. Each group were tasked to create an elevator speech to impress an executive in 60 seconds or less.
As an added bonus, the local chapter invited News4Jax Anchor & I-Team Reporter, Tarik Minor to be the special guest & speaker for the day. Mr. Minor shared valuable nuggets of wisdom for students to find their niche of which career will benefit them financially, but also a career that will elevate their passion on a daily basis. The JTA interns were inquisitive, interactive and creative on how they plan to establish their own recipe of success by using the information they gained from the session.
Thank You to the COMTO Jacksonville Executive Board, Tarik Minor, Sherman Rothwell and the JTA interns for their participation, interaction and enthusiasm. We hope their road to fulfillment leads to ultimate success in their future careers.
Congratulations to the industry award winners from all over! Special shoutout to Mr. Christopher Macklin (Rev. Jerry Moore President’s Leadership Award) & Mrs. Greer Johnson Gillis (Thomas G. Neusom Founder’s Leadership Award – the Organization’s Highest Honor)
Congratulations to the industry award winners from all over! Special shoutout to Mr. Robert “Bob” Prince for being the recipient of the President & CEO Award for Excellence
Emerging Leader Meeting w/ Past President Aisha Eccleston
The members have voted and these individuals have been elected to the Executive Board of COMTO Jacksonville for 2022-2024.
Please welcome them as the baton is passed from past leadership to their capable hands.
This group is excited to serve the COMTO Jacksonville members and Jacksonville community in spreading the good news about COMTO.
Elected: President Donovan H. Calicker Transportation Superintendent, Transit Operations Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)
“As transportation professionals, our focus is to move individuals and commerce in a safe and timely manner. At COMTO Jacksonville, the focus should be to move our members to areas of opportunity and success, safely and timely… Email: [email protected] Phone: (423) 255-8025
Elected: 1st Vice President Greer Gillis Senior Vice President, System Development and Capital Programs Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)
“Here in Jacksonville, we are on the cusp on bringing sustainable and innovative mobility solutions to our customers, and leading the nation in doing so. Thus, I look to serve on the COMTO Board to do three things: (1) expand our efforts to bring innovative, sustainable, and carbon neutral mobility solutions to NE Florida; (2) increase our membership by inviting government, nonprofit, private sector, and academia to become engaged in our chapter; and (3) and provide institutional and insightful guidance to our chapter board…”
“My goal is to increase membership interaction by assembling multifaceted roundtable discussions and events, which will allow members and supreme officials to collaborate on the future of modernization projects. My passion to springboard this local chapter towards excellence and distinction will hopefully continue our urge to guide our youth and surpass our chapter’s own expectations to raise the bar successfully on local and national levels.”
Elected: Secretary Jeremy Norsworthy Transportation Planner III, Planning & System Development Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)
“Through COMTO’s education and outreach efforts, I will strive to create a more inclusive environment within the planning sector of transportation and land use planning that advances equity and inclusion within the transportation industry. Educating the public on the fact that transportation-planning decisions have large and diverse equity impacts on their community and way of life is critical in developing the built environment and transportation services that fully meets the needs of minority communities….I will strive to farther advance this effort of inclusion and equity both locally and regionally.”
Elected: Treasurer Ida O. Blaylock Revenue Supervisor, Customer Engagement Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)
“I will also work diligently to ensure funding is secured so COMTO Jacksonville can continue to provide scholarships for deserving students in the Jacksonville area. I will continue to work supporting the COMTO Jax Board, members and represent our chapter as a member of the prestigious National Industry Awards Committee.”
See other photos from the meet & greet event with the new executive board.
Thank you to Councilwoman Joyce Morgan Dansford of District 1 for stopping by to welcome the new board! New COMTO Jacksonville Chapter President Addressing the Audience
To kick-off our “return” to in-person meetings, our COMTO Jacksonville March 2022 guest speaker was Mrs. Snowden McFall.
Snowden McFall, professional speaker, trainer, and author, is a 30 year entrepreneur & owner of Brightwork and Fired Up Professional Speaking and Coaching. A business expert who speaks on motivation, stress management, productivity, confident public speaking and employee engagement, Snowden has authored and co-authored 6 books, including Fired Up!, which has sold over 65,000 copies.
This was a phenomenal meeting that left many members ready to tackle the next task, project or deadline. We thank Mrs. McFall for joining us and providing us the necessary fuel to take on the world.
Our annual Chapter-driven membership recruitment drive, is a full week of creative activities to help bolster local Chapter membership and participation, and bring transportation industry professionals from all modes under the COMTO banner!
During COMTO Week, On Thursday, November 18th, the COMTO Jacksonville handed out 70 #thanksgiving meals to residents at Sulzbacher Village with Local ATU & IAM employees and the with JTA.
In addition, later that day COMTO Jacksonville and JTA hosted a National Webinar about the JTA’s Autonomous Vehicle Program. COMTO outstanding feature speaker was Bernard Schmidt, JTA Vice President of Automation. Schmidt spoke about the innovative and groundbreaking technology, how the AV Program is creating opportunities in the workforce development space and fostering community relationships.
COMTO Jacksonville would like to thank COMTO National, Jacksonville Transportation Authority and the Jacksonville Chapter for pulling this event together. Special Thanks to JTA CEO Mr. Ford, COMTO National Chair Woman Tanya Adams, JTA David Cawton, COMTO National Staff Gatwiri Muthara and COMTO Jacksonville Chapter President Chris Macklin
The COMTO Jacksonville chapter is proud to announce we have two recipients that received 3 awards at the 2021 COMTO Industry Awards on September 30, 2021. The 2021 COMTO Industry Awards were presented to individuals, chapters and organizations for outstanding work completed in 2020 – the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The awards ceremony was part of COMTO’s 50th Anniversary Virtual National Meeting and Training Conference.
The three awards taken home by COMTO Jacksonville members were (Please list names below):
Our guest speaker, the Honorable Judge Rhonda Peoples-Waters, joined us for a very dynamic discussion about her career journey, perseverance and current legal issues affecting Jacksonville. Her story is one of inspiration and courage to always strive for your goals. We appreciate Judge Rhonda Peoples-Waters for joining us on this amazing dialogue and wish her much success in her endeavors on the bench.
In this panel discussion, COMTO Jacksonville received an amazing opportunity to speak with women leaders in transportation. Our speakers were: Debra Johnson (CEO of Regional Transportation District in Denver), Adelee Le Grand (CEO of Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority in Tampa) and Ari Jolly (Chairwoman of the JTA in Jacksonville). Each discussed their personal journey and their navigation into leadership roles. Additionally, they provided information and inspiration about what it takes to be a leader now. Dr. Tammy Hodo, CEO of All Things Diverse, topped off the event by providing insight and context to the conversation as an expert in diversity and culture. Thank you all for joining us and creating a memorable moment in COMTO Jacksonville history
The Premier Organization for Education, Empowerment and Engagement of Minority Transportation Professionals in Northeast Florida
