History
In 2026, COMTO will celebrate its 55th year as North America's premier multimodal advocacy organization in the transportation industry. Standing on the shoulders of our founders and the contributions of an international membership comprised of devoted transportation professionals, COMTO enhances workforce development, connects talent to opportunities, and uplifts all lived experience in the transportation industry.
What is now COMTO began in 1971 at Howard University when the Urban Mass Transit Administration (UMTA) held the first national Minorities in Mobility conference to provide a forum for minority professionals in the transportation industry. The meeting culminates with the organization of the Conference of Minority Public Transportation Officials (COMPTO). The conference drew 77 participants and was led and organized by Rev. Jerry Moore, Harold B. Williams and Carmen Turner. By 1978, the now Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) had grown to six regional chapters. On January 11, 1984, the Articles of Incorporation were signed, establishing COMTO as a 501(c)(3) organization to "conduct charitable and educational activities." By 1985, 23 COMTO chapters were formed. In 1992, the first national office of COMTO opened in Washington, D.C.
COMTO today has 41 chapters (and growing) in the U.S. and Canada and is led by a President & CEO and a National Board of Directors. COMTO remains headquartered in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area and is fully staffed. COMTO also has a Council of Presidents which consists of the presidents of each its 41 chapters.
Learn more about COMTO’s History in “The Color of Leadership: Four Decades of Leveling the Playing Field in the Transportation History."
