Gov. DeSantis makes two JTA appointments

[marcuscnelson]

https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2025/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-two-jacksonville-transportation-authority

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Max Glober and Donald "Donnie" Horner III to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.

Max Glober
Glober is the Vice President of Marketing at First Coast Energy, LLP. Active in his community, he previously served as a member of the Jacksonville Historical Preservation Commission. Glober earned his bachelor's degree in government from the College of William and Mary and his master's degree in business administration and juris doctor from the University of South Carolina. 

Donald "Donnie" Horner III
Horner is the Vice President of Investor Relations for Intrepid Capital Management. A veteran of the United States Navy, he is a Trustee for the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and a fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Horner earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the United States Naval Academy and his master's degree in business administration from Jacksonville University.

These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

[marcuscnelson]

I'm relieved that the state is finally bringing fresh faces to the JTA board, it's long been past time for that, especially with the local abdication of oversight over executive leadership and major programs like the U2C.

However, I am a little concerned about the possibility of a conflict of interest with these selections. First Coast Energy is the company behind the "Daily's" brand of gas stations, and as its VP of Marketing, Glober's livelihood is reliant on everyone owning a car they fuel at his company's gas stations. What interest would he have in buses or trains running well? Every transit rider is someone who likely isn't stopping at Daily's for gas or food or other services.

Horner upon first glance seems less likely to have this problem, but as a VP of an investment firm there is a tangible question over the ability to avoid conflict given how many things a firm can invest in. Transportation is a big sector!

[Charles Hunter]

Action News had a story that besides the 2 appointments, Gov. DeSantis also removed his third appointment, but has yet to name a replacement. Looking at the ActionNews.com website now, I cannot find that story. They pointed out that this third (of his 3) appointment and one of the other were strong supporters of CEO Nat Ford.  Of the two appointments, the term of one of those replaced ended some months ago, but the other (the Ford supporter) could have been reappointed to another term.

[Charles Hunter]

I'm relieved that the state is finally bringing fresh faces to the JTA board, it's long been past time for that, especially with the local abdication of oversight over executive leadership and major programs like the U2C.

However, I am a little concerned about the possibility of a conflict of interest with these selections. First Coast Energy is the company behind the "Daily's" brand of gas stations, and as its VP of Marketing, Glober's livelihood is reliant on everyone owning a car they fuel at his company's gas stations. What interest would he have in buses or trains running well? Every transit rider is someone who likely isn't stopping at Daily's for gas or food or other services.

Horner upon first glance seems less likely to have this problem, but as a VP of an investment firm there is a tangible question over the ability to avoid conflict given how many things a firm can invest in. Transportation is a big sector!

Nothing new here, before he became Mayor, Gate Petroleum's John Peyton served on the JTA Board, ascending to the Chair.

[marcuscnelson]

But... that's not good either, right? The (then) VP of Gate Petroleum being in charge of the transit agency seems like a bad idea for the same reason this does.

[Charles Hunter]

But... that's not good either, right? The (then) VP of Gate Petroleum being in charge of the transit agency seems like a bad idea for the same reason this does.

Correct. Just pointing out there is nothing under the sun.

[Steve]

This is the problem with JTA.....I've never understood the combination Transit Agency-highway contractor.

Makes no sense. The former JTA head talked about it like it was an advantage....how?

Dump the highway building and focus on transit. Then you'd really see a board shakeup.

[Charles Hunter]

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority began life in the 1950s as the Jacksonville Expressway Authority (JXA, so as not to confuse with the later electric authority, my designation). It was responsible for building much of the core of the original Jacksonville Expressway System - before the Interstate System came along. The Fuller Warren, Mathews, and Trout River Bridges were built as toll bridges. The JXA built the Arlington Expressway from Liberty Street, over the Mathews Bridge to Southside Boulevard, which was also rebuilt as a semi-expressway to just south of Beach Blvd. They also built the 20th Street Expressway from New Kings Road in NW Jax to the Haines Street Expressway (now the MLK Parkway), to the Mathews Bridge. What became I-95 was built from the Clark Road ramp (serving then Imeson Airport), across the Trout River and Fuller Warren Bridges to the PHilips Hwy exit near Atlantic Boulevard.  In the late 1960s the Expressway Authority added the Hart Bridge, and the approach expressways on both sides of the river. The bridge, and some of the local ramps were tolled. JXA also built some local roads connecting to the expressway system. For example, in Arlington, they built parts of some of the roads connected to the Arlington Expressway (University, Cesery, Arlington, I think); and similarly in other parts of town. J. Turner Butler Blvd. was their last toll project, with mainline and ramp tolls. The Dames Point Bridge was supposed to be a toll bridge, but the BJP passed during construction, so the toll plaza was not built (between the bridge and Heckscher)

In the late 60's/early 70's the privately run bus company was following the path of all privately-owned bus transit companies - losing money. The Expressway Authority was renamed the Jacksonville Transportation Authority to reflect the wider responsibility, and the Jacksonville Coach Company assets were purchased by JTA. The Coach Company was then hired to operate the bus system. With lots of federal money, the bus fleet was upgraded and expanded, along with two gas shortages in the 1970s, ridership grew. Downtown was booming, and Downtown People Mover came about as a USDOT Demonstration Project (with some Congressional arm-twisting) - now our beloved Skyway.

Because of JTA's statutory authority to build roads and related facilities (bike paths, etc.), they were tasked with building the roadway projects in the original Better Jax Plan, and in the subsequent extension.

All that history gives background as to why it is the Transportation Authority and not the TRANSIT Authority. Does it make sense for them to continue to have highway responsibilities? No.

[marcuscnelson]

This is the problem with JTA.....I've never understood the combination Transit Agency-highway contractor.

Makes no sense. The former JTA head talked about it like it was an advantage....how?

Dump the highway building and focus on transit. Then you'd really see a board shakeup.

In theory, the benefit is that they would be able to build or improve roads in a way that accommodates cars within reason while also including multimodal benefits like bus lanes, transit signal priority, and protected bike lanes or trails, instead of having to beg FDOT or the city to do those. This should be exactly the point of MobilityWorks 1 and 2. The problem is that they don't actually do this anyway and largely build roads exactly like FDOT would have, which defeats the point while also arguably harming the transit side of their operation. And to that end, people like John Peyton and Max Glober have a financial interest in keeping it that way because again, every person riding a JTA bus or train is a person not paying Gate or Daily's to fill up their car.

[jaxlongtimer]

To add, road projects are more high profile and sexier than mass transit and appeal to people more likely to vote or be politically engaged, at least in Jax.  Then, my theory, on top, is that JTA benefits from pumping as much money through it as possible to secure JTA honcho's jobs, and at high pay, due to being a "bigger" business based on dollars.

The only reason U2C, a supposed mass transit project (not really much of one in reality) is being pushed by JTA is for the $400 million and more to come that JTA will pass through its hands.  Project merits are not all that relevant in such a case.

[Charles Hunter]

I wonder if projects like the U2C will survive the Musk Massacre.

[BridgeTroll]

I wonder if projects like the U2C will survive the Musk Massacre.

Well... if they are truly cutting wasteful spending then it should be chopped tomorrow

[jaxoNOLE]

Except unlike the original Skyway, the vast majority of the U2C funding is coming from local sources. There isn't enough federal funding involved to kill the project via federal funding cuts.

[jax_hwy_engineer]

I wonder if projects like the U2C will survive the Musk Massacre.

Well... if they are truly cutting wasteful spending then it should be chopped tomorrow

That would be the one good thing to come from this mess, which obviously means it won't =D

[Charles Hunter]

Except unlike the original Skyway, the vast majority of the U2C funding is coming from local sources. There isn't enough federal funding involved to kill the project via federal funding cuts.

Good point. Maybe the new DeSantis-appointed board members have some sense.