On December 8, 2016, several Palm Tran employees hosted an informational meeting on the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) to gauge interest in starting a new, local chapter for Palm Beach County.
“Palm Beach County is ripe for a transportation organization that not only advocates for the transportation industry, but also focuses on training and professional development that equips its members with the skill set – and networking environment that allows each member to grow and meet their full potential in the industry.” Said Bruce Guyton, transit planner for Palm Tran and one of the organizers leading the effort to start the Palm Beach County chapter. The meeting was held at the Celebrity Restaurant and Lounge, a West Palm Beach establishment owned by a minority businessman/entrepreneur. The meeting was open to all persons who work in the transportation industry. The response was overwhelming as over sixty people attended the event to learn more about COMTO, including several dignitaries and special guests.
South Florida has strong COMTO representation with National Board members Clinton B. Forbes, executive director of Palm Tran located in West Palm Beach and Mark Gale, director of the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport located in Ft. Lauderdale. Both executives were present at the event and spoke about how the organization has enhanced their careers.
Other dignitaries present at the event included:
- Palm Beach County Administrator Verdenia Baker;
- Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard;
- Port of Palm Beach Chairman Wayne Richards;
- Palm Beach County Port Commissioner Katherine Waldron;
- Florida State Senator Bobby Powell’s Legislative Aid Delano Allen;
- Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation Christine Shaw;
- Deputy Director of the Palm Beach International Airport Laura Beebe;
- Interim City Manager of Riviera Beach Danny Jones;
- President of the Ft. Lauderdale COMTO Chapter Loraine Cargill;
- And many more private and public sector interested participants.
In preparation for submitting its application for a new chapter to the COMTO National Board of Directors, the local interest group is currently receiving membership applications and plans to host its first business meeting in January 2017. There are local chapters of COMTO established in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. When Palm Beach County completes its application process for establishing a local chapter, the South Florida tri-county region of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties will be well covered.
