JACKSONVILLE, FL – July 30, 2024 - Ari Jolly has been selected as this year’s Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member of the year by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This national award honors an individual serving on the governing board of an APTA public transportation system member who has made outstanding contributions to the public transportation industry. Hundreds of applications were submitted throughout the United States and Canada for consideration in the various categories that also recognizes the outstanding systems, innovation projects, outstanding public transportation managers, and the induction to the Hall of Fame, among others.
Ari Jolly has served on the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) Board of Directors for nine years. She has the distinction of serving for two consecutive terms, after being appointed first in 2015 and again in 2019. During that time, Director Jolly has earned the trust and respect of her peers as evidenced by being elected Secretary, Vice Chair, and subsequently Chair of the seven-member board in 2021 and 2022.
"It has been an honor to work with Ari Jolly over these years", said JTA CEO Nat Ford. "Her unwavering dedication to this industry and the communities of Northeast Florida is a true example of board leadership and she has been essential in empowering the JTA to innovate and introduce transportation of the future to our communities. This award is very well deserved and the JTA is proud to have benefited from her leadership and expertise."
During her tenure on the JTA Board, Director Jolly has immersed herself in all things transportation by being actively involved in APTA committees, conferences, events, policymaking, and industry recognitions.
"Ari Jolly’s leadership and collaboration has been indispensable,” said JTA Board Chair Debbie Buckland. "The level of expertise she brings to the JTA Board has been a great resource as we move forward to lead the industry in innovative and groundbreaking efforts for the communities we serve."
Jolly has been a Transit Board Member (TBM) since 2015 and serves on APTA’s TBM Committee and its Executive Council. In the midst of her many demands as Senior Assistant General Counsel at Florida Blue, JTA Board member and community leader, Jolly makes it a priority to participate in APTA hosted panel discussions about important topics such as how to build support for local option gas taxes, best practices for Board and Transit Executive relations, and how to be an effective leader. Jolly understands the importance of APTA to the industry, which is why she makes attending the Legislative Conference, the TBM/TBA Seminar, and Annual Transform Conference top priorities.
"This award serves to recognize a transit board member that has made significant contributions to the public transportation industry through their service. There is no question, Ari Jolly’s service to public transit as a board member of both the JTA and APTA has been outstanding", said Michele Wong Krause, APTA Chair and Immediate Past Chair of Dallas Area Rapid Transit. "As she has done throughout her own legal career as an attorney, Ari Jolly has served honorably, leading with passion and commitment. APTA has benefitted from her knowledge and dedication to the industry. She exemplifies how a Transit Board Member advocates for public transportation to provide safe and efficient service to the communities we serve. She is well-deserving of this award."
This award continues the JTA national recognition by APTA. The JTA was the recipient of the 2021 Innovation Award, the 2016 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award in 2016, and in 2020, CEO Nat Ford was recognized as the Outstanding Public Transportation Manager.
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About the Jacksonville Transportation Authority
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 is a builder of roads, bridges and other infrastructure to enhance mobility in Jacksonville. Public transportation services include BRT and regular bus service, 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.
About The American Public Transportation Association (APTA):
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is a nonprofit international association of more that 1,500 public and private sector member associations. Benefits to our members include advocacy for federal funding and policies, research, technical expertise and consulting services, workforce development programs, educational conferences and seminars, and 135 subject-matter working committees. To learn more, visit www.apta.com
Media contacts:
For media enquiries, please contact:
Lynn Opperman
AVP – Marketing, Communication, and Customer Experience
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
lopperman@jtafla.com
904-676-7225