Cleveland Ferguson withdraws from consideration as JTA’s permanent CEO, will remain in interim role until filled

Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s interim CEO announced Wednesday he will not seek the permanent chief executive role, a surprise move that came during the agency’s public board meeting.Cleveland Ferguson made the announcement before a packed room of board members, former employees, and the public — many of whom spent nearly two hours voicing frustration with the agency’s leadership.“I very much wanted to continue serving this organization as its permanent CEO,” Ferguson said, “but the agency’s need for stability, public confidence, and the successful transition must come before my interest in that position. For that reason, I am withdrawing from consideration for the permanent CEO role.”Ferguson was clear the move is not a resignation. “This decision is not a resignation of my responsibilities as interim CEO. I remain committed to leading this agency through the transition at the direction of this board until a permanent leader is appointed,” he said.How JTA’s budget crisis unfo