Jacksonville Transportation Authority Executive and Leadership Team

Cleveland Ferguson, the Interim Chief Executive Officer at Jacksonville Transportation Authority, directs the overarching strategic vision for all transit operations and infrastructure projects. Overseeing the agency's mission to provide efficient bus, monorail, and ferry services, the Interim Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between public transportation goals and regional development needs. Cleveland Ferguson manages high-level relationships with government stakeholders and the Board to secure funding for critical bridge and highway construction. By prioritizing operational excellence and fiscal responsibility, the Interim Chief Executive Officer drives the agency toward long-term sustainability. This leadership role involves navigating complex regulatory environments while maintaining a focus on passenger safety and service reliability. Through consistent engagement with department heads, the Interim Chief Executive Officer fosters a culture of innovation and accountability across the entire organization, ultimately strengthening the transportation network throughout the Florida region.

Heather Obora, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Jacksonville Transportation Authority, manages the fiscal health and long-term financial planning for all transit and infrastructure initiatives. Overseeing budget allocation and capital investment strategies, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures the agency maintains the necessary resources to design and construct bridges and highways. Heather Obora directs financial reporting and audit processes to maintain transparency and compliance with state and federal regulations. By analyzing revenue streams from transit services, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer identifies opportunities for cost optimization and operational efficiency. This leadership role involves working closely with the Board to secure funding for large-scale projects that support regional growth. Through rigorous financial oversight, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer guarantees the stability of the agency, enabling the continued delivery of essential transportation services across the Florida market.

Randall Barnes, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Jacksonville Transportation Authority, focuses on the strategic procurement and risk management aspects of the agency's financial portfolio. Overseeing the financial modeling for infrastructure development, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that capital projects remain within budgetary constraints while meeting construction milestones. Randall Barnes directs the treasury functions and debt management strategies to support the agency's long-term expansion goals. By evaluating the economic impact of transit service adjustments, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer provides the data-driven guidance necessary for executive decision-making. This role involves collaborating with external financial partners and government agencies to leverage funding opportunities for regional transportation improvements. Through meticulous financial planning and oversight, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer secures the fiscal integrity of the organization, supporting the delivery of essential transit services and infrastructure projects throughout the Florida region.

Jeffrey Smith, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Jacksonville Transportation Authority, directs the daily execution of transit services and infrastructure maintenance programs. Overseeing the bus fleet, downtown Skyway monorail, and River Ferry operations, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer ensures high standards of service reliability and passenger safety. Jeffrey Smith manages the logistics of bridge and highway construction projects, coordinating field teams to meet project timelines and quality benchmarks. By optimizing route efficiency and maintenance schedules, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer improves the overall transit experience for the community. This role requires constant interaction with operational staff to address service disruptions and implement process improvements. Through strategic resource management, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer drives operational excellence, ensuring the agency meets the evolving transportation demands of the region while maintaining a focus on safety and performance.

Arun Kalavakolanu, the Chief Information Officer at Jacksonville Transportation Authority, architects the digital infrastructure necessary to support modern transit operations and passenger-facing technologies. Managing the integration of complex data systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures seamless connectivity across bus, Skyway, and ferry platforms. Arun Kalavakolanu drives the implementation of cybersecurity protocols to protect critical agency assets and sensitive rider information. By modernizing internal software and hardware, the Chief Information Officer optimizes operational efficiency and reduces downtime for essential transit services. This role requires constant collaboration with other executive leaders to align technological investments with the broader mission of improving regional mobility. Through the deployment of advanced analytics, the Chief Information Officer provides actionable insights that inform infrastructure planning and service scheduling. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer secures the digital foundation required for the agency to deliver reliable, high-quality transportation solutions to the public.