Nat Ford, the longtime chief executive of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, told the JTA board Friday that he will resign effective Jan. 8, 2027. Ford, who has led the agency for more than 13 years, said he will remain engaged through January to support a smooth transition. His departure comes as the authority advances autonomous-vehicle pilots and multi-year infrastructure projects that have reshaped downtown Jacksonville.
Ford told the board that his resignation will be effective Jan. 8, 2027, and added, “The JTA is operationally strong and well-positioned for the future.” Board Chair Aundra Wallace said the board will review next steps at its July 29 meeting, and Mayor Donna Deegan praised Ford’s tenure as a catalyst for economic growth, according to News4JAX.
Key Projects From Ford’s Tenure
Over more than a decade, the JTA expanded the First Coast Flyer bus rapid transit corridors, built the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, and celebrated completion of MobilityWorks projects well ahead of schedule, accomplishments the agency has documented in its press materials. JTA also launched NAVI, the authority’s autonomous-vehicle pilot, and has touted federal grant wins that supported new services and infrastructure; local reporting notes the 2021 extension of Duval County’s local option gas tax funded roughly $1 billion in regional projects. The agency has detailed these efforts in materials from JTA, while the gas tax extension and its impact have been covered by the Jax Daily Record.
Costs, Scrutiny And The Autonomous Push
Ford’s exit comes as JTA faces scrutiny over the cost and operations of its NAVI pilot and broader budget pressures. Investigations and internal FDOT documents highlighted operational limits and high per-rider costs for NAVI, prompting questions from council members and others about oversight and value. The authority also moved earlier this year to cut senior administrative pay, as reported by Action News Jax, and to narrow an operating gap described by the Jacksonville Business Journal.
What Comes Next For The Board
With Ford agreeing to stay through January to help manage the handoff, the JTA board must now map a search and a plan to keep projects on track. The authority’s public calendar lists a Board of Directors meeting on July 29 at the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center where leaders said they will discuss the CEO position and next steps. The JTA notice also explains how the public can follow the meeting and participate remotely, according to the agency’s board meeting page.
