JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, told the JTA Board of Directors Friday that he will resign effective Jan. 8, 2027, concluding more than 13 years with the agency.
Ford, a nationally recognized transportation leader, said he plans to continue working on innovative mobility solutions but did not announce specific plans.
“The JTA is operationally strong and well-positioned for the future,” Ford said. “I have full confidence in the leadership team’s ability to continue advancing our mission. It has been the greatest professional honor of my career to serve this organization, this city, and this region.”
The JTA Board’s next scheduled meeting is July 29. Board Chair Aundra Wallace said the board plans to discuss next steps for the CEO position at that meeting.
Its a process that comes as the agency faces growing public scrutiny over recent service changes.
JTA has drawn criticism in recent months after cutting several services and increasing fares as it works to address a projected $17.5 million budget deficit in fiscal year 2027, decisions that impact thousands of riders who rely on public transportation.
Mayor Donna Deegan praised Ford’s tenure, saying his leadership helped make the authority a model for innovation and a catalyst for economic growth.
“Nat has been a dedicated partner to the City of Jacksonville, and his vision and collaborative spirit helped move our community forward in meaningful ways,” she said.
Under Ford’s leadership, the JTA said, the agency reached several milestones that helped raise Jacksonville’s national profile in public transportation, including:
- developing the First Coast Flyer bus rapid transit system, the largest BRT network in the southeastern United States;
- constructing the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, an award-winning multimodal mobility hub;
- winning more than $400 million in federal discretionary grants and supporting a local option gas tax extension that generated $1 billion for regional infrastructure;
- completing JTAMobilityWorks, a 27-project road-building and complete streets initiative, two years ahead of schedule;
- implementing the Route Optimization Initiative, the first complete redesign of JTA’s transit system in 34 years;
- expanding JTA’s regional footprint across Baker, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties, including restoration of the St. Johns River Ferry;
- launching the Ultimate Urban Circulator, the nation’s first deployment of an autonomous vehicle service in public transit; and
- attracting HOLON’s first U.S. autonomous vehicle manufacturing facility, a $200 million investment projected to generate $87 million annually for Florida’s economy.
Wallace thanked Ford and JTA staff for advancing mobility solutions for Northeast Florida.
“Under the leadership of Nat, JTA has built a national reputation for innovating, particularly in the autonomous vehicle space at the same time the JTA team remains true to the core of what we do best — providing safe, reliable and affordable public transportation to our community,” she said.
Councilman Rahman Johnson released a statement congratulating Ford’s tenure.
Over the past fourteen years, Nat Ford has done far more than lead the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. He helped redefine what public transportation could become, not only in Jacksonville, but across the nation. He challenged our community to imagine a future where innovation, technology, economic development, and mobility could work together to transform the way a city moves.
Under his leadership, JTA evolved from a respected regional transit authority into a nationally recognized leader in transportation innovation. He championed autonomous mobility, advanced the Ultimate Urban Circulator, strengthened regional partnerships, secured transformative public investment, and positioned Jacksonville among a select group of cities helping to shape the future of public transportation. Nat Ford understood that great cities don’t simply prepare for tomorrow – they have the courage to build it.
Every public agency faces challenges. Across America, transit systems continue to adapt to changing travel patterns, evolving consumer expectations, workforce shortages, and economic realities. Those challenges are real. But because of Nat Ford’s leadership, Jacksonville enters its next chapter with a transportation authority that is more innovative, more financially disciplined, more globally respected, and more prepared for the future than the one he inherited. That is the definition of transformational leadership.
As an ex-officio on the board, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the passion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment Nat brought to this community. He has never been afraid to challenge conventional thinking, pursue bold ideas, or advocate for investments that position Jacksonville to compete on a global stage.
Today’s announcement closes an extraordinary chapter in Jacksonville’s history, but JTA’s recent work will continue shaping this city for decades to come.
Jacksonville is grateful for Nat’s years of dedicated service and his belief in our city’s limitless potential. Whatever comes next, I know he will continue to lead with the same integrity, courage, and vision that defined his service here. I have no doubt that Jacksonville will always hold a special place in his heart.
Roads will evolve, technology will advance, vehicles will change – but vision endures. Because Nat Ford believed Jacksonville could lead instead of follow, the future of this city will carry his fingerprints for generations to come. Thank you, Nat. Godspeed.
Councilman Rahman Johnson
Ford has served nationally as chairman of the American Public Transportation Association and chairman of the Transportation Research Board. His national honors include White House Champion of Change, APTA Outstanding Public Transportation Manager of the Year and the Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award.
Ford will remain fully engaged with JTA through January 2027 to support a seamless transition and assist the board in preparing for the next CEO.
Ford has not said why he is stepping down.