President’s Message
As I enter my first year as President of the COMTO North Texas Chapter, I want to first thank Marvin Jackson for his leadership over the last two years. His dedication to COMTO’s mission is a torch I am both humbled and excited to carry forward for the next two years.
COMTO has always been the voice for equity in transportation. However, today we live in a world where assaults on affirmative action, DEI initiatives, and other measures aimed at increasing the representation of individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds are on the rise at alarming rates. These attacks are not only aimed at the strides made within civil rights that have opened windows of opportunity for people of color to access education, wealth, and career paths that otherwise would not be available; they also threaten to hinder COMTO’s own vision and mission.
These changes around us, whether social, political, economic, or otherwise, require us to remain steadfast in our dedication to creating opportunities and maximizing the participation of minorities, veterans, people with disabilities, and historically underutilized businesses within the transit industry. Moving forward, I ask that we remember our actions will have a profound effect on the communities we serve. Let’s ensure those efforts are not in vain and that we work in collaboration to ensure they are impactful and meaningful.
This couldn’t be more important to remember as we are on the precipice of immense opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses in 2024-2025. With over $220 billion worth of projects in transit, aviation, and heavy highway in North Texas and statewide, it is my mission and duty to ensure that our current and future members are poised to play major roles in the development of these projects.