The Board voted to only consider internal candidates and plans to select a search firm next month to conduct a national search for the permanent CEO

(Jacksonville, FL – August 5, 2026) The Jacksonville Transportation Authority Board of Directors plans to discuss candidates for the interim CEO role at its August 26 meeting.

Only internal candidates will be considered for the interim role. The Board of Directors is expected to discuss and potentially interview candidates in the coming weeks and may make a decision as early as the Aug. 26 meeting.

CEO Nat Ford in July announced plans to resign and later accepted the CEO position with Dallas Area Rapid Transit. Ford will leave the JTA in October.

The Board plans to select a permanent CEO by the end of the year.

The Board also approved qualifications it is seeking in the permanent CEO and directed the JTA purchasing staff to seek proposals for a search firm to lead the permanent CEO selection process. The procurement process will be expedited, with plans for the Board to vote on a selection at the Aug. 26 meeting.

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About the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is an independent state agency serving Jacksonville, Florida, and Northeast Florida with multi-modal responsibilities. The JTA provides varied mass public transit services and builds roads, bridges, and other infrastructure to enhance mobility in Jacksonville. Public transportation services include BRT and regular bus service, Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation (NAVI), paratransit, the St. Johns River Ferry, Skyway APM, and other mobility and on-demand services in Duval, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns counties. To learn more, visit www.jtafla.com.

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