JTA Names Cleveland Ferguson III as Interim CEO

Cleveland Ferguson III was selected to serve as interim chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) as the agency prepares to conduct a national search for its next CEO.

Since joining the agency in 2015, Ferguson has served in several leadership positions, including executive vice president and chief administrative officer.

JTA Board of Directors Chair Aundra Wallace said, “Cleveland is an experienced leader with a clear understanding of the organization and a plan to guide the JTA through an important budget cycle. He also has strong relationships with employees throughout the organization and with our community partners. That experience and continuity will serve the JTA well during this transition.”

Ferguson has overseen key administrative, technology, and economic development initiatives for the agency. He has led partnership efforts supporting transit-oriented development and represented JTA before congressional leaders and the USDOT on issues including federal support for safety-sensitive transportation operations, housing and transit, autonomous vehicle technology, workforce development, and the use of advanced analytics in public transportation.

“I care deeply about our customers, our employees and our community. This is an important moment for the JTA, and I look forward to working with our board and employees to strengthen the organization, advance our priorities, and take the actions necessary to position the authority for long-term success. Throughout this transition, we will remain focused on delivering safe, reliable transportation and serving Jacksonville and communities throughout Northeast Florida,” Ferguson said.

Before joining JTA, Ferguson served as deputy chief administrative officer for the City of Jacksonville from 2012 to 2015 and as a tenured professor at Florida Coastal School of Law. Ferguson is a member of the Florida Bar and the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a graduate of Leadership Broward Class XXIII, Leadership Jacksonville (2010), Leadership Florida Class XXXIII, and the 2017 Eno Transit Senior Executive Program. For APTA, he is a member of the Legal Affairs Committee.