Home / Business and Economy / JTA CEO Ford Resigns Amidst Controversy
JTA CEO Ford Resigns Amidst Controversy
4 Jul
Summary
- CEO Nat Ford is stepping down from JTA effective January 8, 2027.
- Ford's tenure included scrutiny over a high salary and travel expenses.
- JTA faced a significant budget shortfall leading to furloughs.
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) CEO Nat Ford will step down from his position on January 8, 2027, concluding a 13-year tenure with the agency. Ford's resignation comes after a period marked by significant public and governmental scrutiny. Investigations revealed his compensation package, including benefits, exceeded half a million dollars annually, and substantial travel expenses were incurred on public funds.
Concerns were also raised regarding the high costs and limited ridership of the U2C program's autonomous shuttles. Most recently, the JTA reported a $19 million budget shortfall, leading to the furlough of 88 senior leaders and a 15 percent pay cut for Ford.
Despite these challenges, JTA leadership and Mayor Donna Deegan acknowledged Ford's contributions, including securing $400 million in federal funding and advocating for infrastructure support. The JTA Board is scheduled to discuss the process for selecting a new CEO at their upcoming meeting on July 29th.
