oversight. Among the highlights of Mr. Ford’s accomplishments in San Francisco was the groundbreaking of a $1.6 billion Central Subway project, coordination between the existing commuter rail and proposed high speed rail, implementation of a new corporate vision, growth of revenues and grant awards, and an innovative parking management system that provided real-time information about parking availability. Mr. Ford brought financial stability to the agency by implementing a two-year budgeting process and by helping negotiate a landmark contract with transit operators that saved the agency (SFMTA) an estimated $41 million. Mr. Ford served at MARTA for eight years between 1997 and 2005, he spent his last five years there as General Manager and Chief Executive Officer. His responsibilities during his tenure included rail, bus, paratransit and law enforcement. This tenure showed his ability to leverage private/public transit projects known as Transit Oriented Developments (TODs). One of Mr. Ford’s noted accomplishments was launching the development of Lindbergh City Center, a multi-use project that linked office space, upscale multifamily housing and retail tenants to the Lindbergh Transit Station. This project was one of the first TODs in the nation. Being one to always embrace innovative measures in the improvement of transit authorities, Mr. Ford spearheaded MARTA’s conversion to the “BREEZE” SmartCard fare collection system. The program, which dramatically improved customer service and reduced fare evasion, made MARTA one of the first transit organizations in the country to implement this advanced technology. Under Mr. Ford’s leadership, the MARTA Police Department was recognized by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), an honor shared by only four other transit authorities. Mr. Ford received numerous awards for his ambitious programs and initiatives, including the Martin Luther King Civic Committee Distinguished Public Service Award, the Bay Area Achiever in Public Service Award, and the Thomas G. Neusom Founder’s Award. He has a history of involvement in professional organizations such as the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO). Mr. Ford is a graduate of Mercer University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Masters of Industry: Mr. Ford, you worked for transit agencies in New York, where you started on the ground level as a train conductor and worked your way up to top positions in Atlanta and San Francisco. What did you learn about transit systems and system patrons at the entry level? Nathaniel Ford: Working my way up the operational ladder from conductor to general manager and CEO enabled me to learn every facet of transit operations. I learned about best practices and the importance of providing excellent customer service. Transportation is in my blood, my father and siblings were in the transportation industry. During my 30-year career I have learned that transportation is about more than driving buses. It is about providing a valuable service that improves the quality of peoples’ lives by giving them access to work, health care and educational opportunities.
12 - MOIJACKSONVILLE.COM JULY 2014
Mr. Ford received numerous awards for his ambitious programs and initiatives. MOI: The BART System in Oakland, the SFMTA System in San Francisco, and the MARTA System in Atlanta are Heavy Rail Systems that are considered successful, what ideas from these systems can be brought to Jacksonville in operating on a much smaller scale with a monorail system like the ASE? NF: Efficiency, sustainability and financial responsibility are imperative regardless of the size or the location of the system. Those are my guiding