JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., Chief Executive Officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, informed the agency’s board of directors on Friday, July 3 that he will resign his position, effective Jan. 8, 2027.
Ford’s resignation concludes more than 13 years of service to Northeast Florida. Ford did not announce specific plans for his next role.
The board of directors will hold its next scheduled meeting on July 29 to discuss the next steps for the CEO position.
Ford said the agency is prepared for the future. “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.”
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Under Ford’s tenure, the JTA developed the First Coast Flyer Bus Rapid Transit system, which is the largest bus rapid transit network in the Southeastern United States. He also oversaw the construction of the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center.
The JTA secured more than $400 million in federal discretionary grants and supported the passage of a local option gas tax extension. This extension is projected to generate $1 billion for regional infrastructure.
The JTA expanded its regional footprint across Baker, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties, including the restoration of the St. Johns River Ferry. The agency also launched the U2C program, the nation’s first deployment of autonomous vehicle service in public transit.
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Action News Jax has reported on controversies surrounding Ford’s leadership for the past three years in our Taken for a Ride series, starting with his base salary.
Action News Jax has found Ford’s salary was significantly higher than transportation leaders in much larger cities like New York City and Chicago, and was even higher than the salary of the President of the United States.
When his additional benefits are added, it pushes his total compensation above half a million dollars a year.
Our investigations also found Ford amassed major travel bills on the taxpayers’ dime, racking up a nearly $190,000 tab between 2016 and 2023 alone.
Ford also faced significant criticism from Jacksonville’s City Council over the U2C program, which is expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
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Aundra Wallace, board chair for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, thanked Ford and the agency for their progress. “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,” Wallace said.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan commented on Ford’s impact. “Great leaders do more than manage organizations; they create opportunities,” Deegan stated. “Under Mr. Ford’s leadership, our transportation authority became not only a model for innovation, but a catalyst for economic growth, attracting new businesses and creating quality jobs that strengthened Jacksonville’s future. 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. We appreciate his service and wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his rewarding career.”
Ford also held national leadership roles in the transportation industry, serving as chairman of the American Public Transportation Association and chairman of the Transportation Research Board. His national recognitions include White House Champion of Change, APTA Outstanding Public Transportation Manager of the Year and the Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award.
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Read statements from City Council Members:
Councilman Jimmy Peluso:
“I’m grateful to Nat Ford’s years of service to the City. As he embarks on a new journey, let’s endeavor to look at JTA with new eyes. Our bus system, paratransit and proven mass transit systems should all be reviewed moving forward. Perhaps now is the time to seriously consider light rail and commuter rail as a way to move this region’s residents from one part of town to the other.”
Councilman Rahman Johnson:
“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.”
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