The replacement of Nat Fordat the Jacksonville Transportation Authority will likely start by promoting a current JTA executive to serve as interim CEO while the agency launches a national search for asuccessor to Ford.
The JTA board search committee settled on that approach during an Aug. 4 meeting that ruled out bringing in someone from outside the agency as interim CEO.
"I think keeping it internal makes it an easier process and we guarantee that we keep continuity at the organization," board member Daniel Vallencourt said.
Board member Alan Hopkins said he's gone to conferences around the country and is "very impressed with the quality of people we have versus what I've seen out there."
"Not to disparage other agencies but I just think we've
got enough talent in our room to take care of this position internally," he said.
The person promoted to interim CEO will be able to apply for the permanent CEO position when JTA uses a search firm to conduct a national search.
Board chair Aundra Wallace favored hiring the interim CEO from outside the agency.
He said when the board began discussing next steps at its July 29 meeting that bringing in someone from outside JTA to be the interim CEO would ensure no one has an advantage by serving as interim CEO while also applying for the position. He said that way all the candidates are "on the same playing field."
He said at the Aug. 4 meeting that based on comments from board members favoring an internal candidate for interim CEO, "I have my opinions. However, democracy wins. I'm OK."
Ford is leaving JTA after more than 13 years to become CEO of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Agency. He will start at DART on Oct. 26. His last day at JTA will be sometime in October but the agency has not given a specific date yet.
The fastest timeline for hiring a replacement would be for the board to make a selection in December. The board will use a search firm to help attract candidates from across the country in addition to any JTA administrators interested in the position.
Board member Max Glober said the national search will enable "casting a wider net, getting the best talent we can find while also giving a nod to the deep bench we have here at JTA."
The board set an Aug. 14 deadline for current JEA employees to apply for interim CEO. The board plans to make a choice for the interim position at its Aug. 27 board meeting.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: JTA will pick interim CEO from current agency leadership
