Jacksonville Transportation Authority Executive and Leadership Team

Randall Barnes, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Jacksonville Transportation Authority, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation for the agency. Overseeing long-term financial planning and grant procurement, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures the availability of funds for bridge construction and highway maintenance projects. This leadership role involves balancing the operational budget for bus services and the downtown Skyway monorail. By implementing rigorous auditing processes, Randall Barnes maintains transparency and accountability in all financial reporting. The Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer provides critical data to the Board to support strategic decision-making regarding infrastructure investments. Barnes directs the financial strategy to ensure the sustainability of transit services across the region. Through prudent resource management, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer secures the economic stability of the agency. Barnes optimizes revenue streams to support the ongoing development of essential transportation infrastructure throughout Florida.

Heather Obora, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Jacksonville Transportation Authority, focuses on procurement strategy and supply chain logistics for transit operations. Overseeing vendor relationships and contract management, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures cost-effective acquisition of materials for highway and bridge projects. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to mitigate financial risks associated with large-scale infrastructure development. By streamlining the procurement lifecycle, Heather Obora enhances the efficiency of the agency's capital projects. The Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the finance department to ensure compliance with state and federal funding requirements. Obora directs the implementation of automated purchasing systems to reduce administrative overhead. Through strategic sourcing, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer supports the delivery of reliable transit services. Obora manages the financial aspects of fleet acquisition, ensuring the agency maintains modern, efficient vehicles for the public.

Jeffrey Smith, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Jacksonville Transportation Authority, manages the daily execution of bus services and River Ferry operations. Overseeing fleet maintenance and route optimization, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer ensures high-frequency transit availability throughout the region. This leadership role involves coordinating with engineering teams to maintain bridges and highways, thereby securing the physical integrity of the transportation network. By refining operational workflows, Jeffrey Smith directly impacts the punctuality and safety of public transit. The Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer collaborates with other executives to align service delivery with budgetary constraints. Smith monitors performance metrics to identify areas for operational improvement. Through rigorous oversight of field personnel, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer maintains consistent service standards. Smith drives the expansion of transit capacity to meet the growing demands of the Florida population while ensuring operational excellence.

Arun Kalavakolanu, the Chief Information Officer at Jacksonville Transportation Authority, directs the digital transformation of transit infrastructure. Overseeing cybersecurity protocols and data management systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures seamless integration between bus services and the downtown Skyway monorail. This leadership role involves architecting scalable cloud solutions to support real-time passenger information systems across the Florida network. By modernizing legacy hardware, Arun Kalavakolanu optimizes operational efficiency for the entire agency. The Chief Information Officer maintains alignment with the Board regarding long-term technology investments. Through the implementation of advanced analytics, the Chief Information Officer improves service reliability for commuters. Kalavakolanu drives innovation by deploying smart city technologies that streamline transit operations. This strategic focus on digital infrastructure supports the broader mission of providing efficient, safe, and accessible transportation options for the public while maintaining robust data integrity across all agency platforms.

Cleveland Ferguson, the Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Jacksonville Transportation Authority, directs human resources, organizational development, and internal communications. Overseeing workforce training and labor relations, the Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer ensures the agency maintains a skilled team capable of managing complex transit systems. This leadership role involves fostering a culture of safety and professional excellence across all departments. By implementing comprehensive administrative policies, Cleveland Ferguson supports the operational goals of the agency. The Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer coordinates with the Board to align organizational structure with the strategic mission of the authority. Ferguson manages internal processes to improve employee engagement and retention. Through the development of robust administrative frameworks, the Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer ensures the agency operates with high efficiency. Ferguson drives initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion, strengthening the workforce that serves the Florida community.