Welcome to COMTO Miami
COMTO was created to provide a forum for senior minority professionals in the transportation industry.
The voice of Equity.
The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials of Miami (COMTO Miami) is one of over 30 Chapters nationwide and five chapters in the state of Florida. COMTO Miami is an independent non-profit organization that provides networking opportunities within the transportation industry for minority individuals and businesses to advance through advocacy, training and professional development. COMTO Miami engages its three county entities of air, land and sea (MIA, Department of Transportation & Public Works and the Port of Miami) to share strategic priorities for multi-modal transportation development and expansion in Miami-Dade County.
Leadership
-
VALERIE WILLIAMS
President
Valerie Williams has been employed by the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW) for twenty eight (28) years where she has held several positions. She is currently a Bus Superintendent. Rs. Williams received her Bachelors degree in Public Administration from Barry University and her Masters degree in Business from the University of Phoenix. In 2005, she was the recipient of the COMTO Thomas G. Neusome scholarship and in 2006, she received the PBS&J Achievement Scholarship. Mrs. Williams has been an active member in the Miami Chapter for the past fifteen (15) years. She has served as the Second Vice President, Treasurer, Board Member at Large as well as on several committees.
-
Veronica James
1st Vice President
Veronica Griffin currently works as the Lead Rail Yard Master for Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW). She is responsible for monitoring and controlling all movement of trains and personnel in and about the William Lehman Center. Ms. Griffin joined COMTO in 2000 and prior to becoming 1st Vice President, has held the offices of 2nd Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary each for two consecutive 2-year terms. She has also been the chairperson for the election committee and served on various committees when needed. Ms. Griffin was responsible for coordinating the activities of all conference volunteers as the host chapter, at the 2007 National Meeting & Training Conference and most recently led the effort in coordinating the 2019 Presidents Gala & Holiday Celebration.
-
Gregory Robinson
2nd Vice President
Mr. Robinson is the General Superintendent for DTPW Rail Transportation and is responsible for the Metrorail & Metromover Operation Control Center and Rail Transportation activities. He directs and monitors the day-to-day operation of both Metrorail and Metromover passenger transportation systems to ensure safe and efficient operation. He is responsible for a staff of 143 employees and a division budget of $ 22 million. Previous positions include Chief Supervisor, Rail Traffic Control, Rail Traffic Controller and Engineer (for two private firms). Mr. Robinson received his BS degree in Electronic Engineering Technology from the Florida A&M University. He also serves on the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Rail Operating Practices Standards Committee.
-
Cindy LaBranche
Secretary
Cindy D. LaBranche started as a Bus Operator for the Department of Transportation in 2017 and was promoted to a Labor Relations Personnel Specialist in 2020. She graduated from Florida State College of Jacksonville with an A.S. in Paralegal Studies and Florida International University with a B.A. in International Relations with a Minor in Journalism. Her passion for law and policy making has granted her the opportunity to help others in need of legal support. Her goal is to one help reform America’s justice system and wrongly convicted felons be exonerated from prison.
-
Linda Reeves
Assistant Secretary
Linda Reeves currently serves as the assistant Secretary of COMTO Miami. She is a Transit Operations Supervisor at Miami-Dade Department of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW). Linda began her career as a Bus Operator in 2004 and has over ten years of customer service experience. As a Transit Operations Supervisor, she now oversees and implements safety procedures for Bus Operators who provides service to about 76 million annual riders using the bus across the county’s 90 Metrobus routes. Linda regularly attends local and national training sessions to effectively apply knowledge in her present position and just recently graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the University of Phoenix. Ms. Reeves also volunteered with Miami Dade County Foster & Adoptive Parent Association. When not traveling, Linda enjoys planning for the next adventure with the family.
-
Sandra Stanley
Treasurer
Ms. Stanley currently serves as a DTPW Bus Traffic Controller where she is responsible for managing, monitoring, coordinating and directing all DTPW bus movements of DTPW bus service. She has been with Miami-Dade County for 26 years in which she has 17 years of transportation experience. She has served in Miami-Dade Finance for eight years and Accounts Payable for nine years. Ms. Stanley has a BA degree from Union Institute & University. She joined COMTO in 2018, and served on the 2018 Presidents Gala Planning Committee. In 2019, Ms. Stanley oversaw the registration committee for the Presidents Gala & Holiday Celebration and was recognized as the 2019 Member of the Year for her self-less service to the Miami Chapter.
-
Schneider St.Preux
Assistant Treasurer
Schneider St. Preux started his career in transportation as a Bus Operator for Department of Transportation and Public Works in 2012. Mr. St. Preux was later promoted to a Transit Operations Scheduler, Bus Traffic Controller, Division Superintendent where he oversaw seventy eight (78) Transit Operations Supervisors (TOS). He currently serves as a DTPW Section Chief in Bus Operations, responsible for both the Bus Traffic Control and TOS sections. Mr. St. Preux has been a member of COMTO since 2013. He is a graduate of Florida International University, with a Master Degree in Public Administration, and a Bachelor degree in Public Administration. He also obtained a Graduate Certificate in Public Finance & Contract Management.
-
T-Erica Pugh
Parliamentarian
T-Erica Pugh has worked with Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) for seventeen (17) years. She initially worked as a Bus Operator and was later selected as an OCL Instructor. During her time as an OCL Instructor she enhanced her knowledge of rules and regulations that propelled her into a leadership role and her current position as a Transit Operations Supervisor. She was inspired to join COMTO in 2018. She has served on committees, volunteered, and assisted where needed. In her two years in COMTO, T-Erica was inspired to complete her education. She was awarded the Jerry Moore Scholarship from COMTO National which helped her to obtain a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
-
Maurice Dixon
Assistant Parliamentarian
Maurice Dixon is currently a Senior Electronic Technician at the Miami Dade Department of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW). He has over twenty four (24) years of experience within the mass public transportation industry as a leader and facilitator amongst his peers. Mr. Dixon began his career as an Electrician with the United States Navy before joining Miami-Dade County as a Bus Operator. His education includes a completion of courses at the Colorado Technical Institute. Mr. Dixon holds certifications for the Miami-Dade County Supervisory Leadership Development Program, the Frontline Leadership Development Program, Managing Across and Managing Up. Mr. Dixon is a Miami native and active member of his community. He is a member of the Transport Workers Union Local 291, the Veterans Treatment Court Mentoring Program and COMTO. He has been a member of COMTO and has served on the Membership and Presidents Gala Awards committees.
-
Aaron Weeks
Immediate Past President
Aaron C. Weeks is the Immediate Past President of the Miami Chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO). COMTO is the nation’s only multimodal advocacy organization for minority professionals and businesses in the transportation industry. Since its inception, COMTO has continued to evolve and has become the premier organization for training, education and professional development of minority transportation officials.
Mr. Weeks’ resume includes extensive work experience in business analysis and program management with not only Fortune 500 companies (Citibank, Kraft Foods, Anheuser Busch, Hershey Chocolate Company), but also governmental entities (State of Florida, City of Miami, South Florida Water Management District, and Miami-Dade County). Mr. Weeks’ is a graduate of the Florida A&M School of Business and Industry with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and minors in Finance and Economics. Aaron has also served on the Board of the Greater Miami YMCA, the Board of the Fort Lauderdale J.R. E. Lee YMCA and as a mentor and advisor to the STARS Academy mentoring program.
-
Dale McMillan
Board Member at Large
Dale McMillan has twenty (20) years of experience in transportation. He started his career as a Bus Operator in 2000 and was later promoted to a Metromover Technician in 2009. His responsibilities included maintaining electrical and mechanical systems on the wayside and Mover vehicles. In 2019, Mr. McMillan was promoted to his current position of DTPW Operations /Maintenance Instructor for MetroRail/Mover. He is currently responsible for training incoming trainees on basic electrical and mechanical systems, providing refresher training for current technicians and supervisors, providing safety training for all who work on or near the Metromover system, and the development of new training procedures and packages after any system modification. Mr. McMillan is currently attending DeVry University and expects to complete the requirements a Bachelor degree in Technical Management in 2022.
-
Kenneth Jones
Board Member at Large
Kenneth H. Jones has more than forty-nine (49) years of progressively responsible experience in the private and public sectors of the automotive, transportation and transit industry. He has over thirty-five (35) years with the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), over twenty one (21) years as a senior manager in DTPW’s Bus Operations and Maintenance divisions. He was promoted in 2019 to General Superintendent of Bus Maintenance. Mr. Jones has been a COMTO member since 1996 and has consistently demonstrated a commitment to COMTO and its programs. He has served as the Vice President of the Miami Chapter from 2000 – 2002 and 2008 – 2012. He has also served as President from 2010 – 2017.
-
Melissa Rolle-Scott, TSSP
At-Large Member
Melissa Rolle-Scott is a highly motivated transportation professional with over 29 years of technical, administrative and management experience in the mass transportation (bus, rail, and automated guideway) industry. She is currently a Transit Section Chief in the Office of Safety & Security for the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW) where she is responsible for providing leadership in the planning and directing of Internal Audits and serves as the department’s liaison for safety-related state and federal audits. She has met the requirements and received her certificates from the Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute’s Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) for both the Transit Bus and Transit Rail Programs.
Ms. Rolle-Scott has served and provided leadership in several divisions of the Department of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW) which includes: Safety & Security; Transit Services Administration; Maintenance Control; Customer Service; and the Automated Fare Collection System. Prior to joining Miami-Dade DTPW, Ms. Rolle-Scott worked as an Industrial Engineer for Martin Marietta Denver Aerospace and Pacific Telephone as an Outside Plant Engineer.
Ms. Rolle-Scott is very active in the transportation industry. She serves on the national Scholarship, CITY Internship, Membership and Industry Awards committees of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) and serves on the Board as an At-Large Member of the COMTO Miami Chapter. She has previously served COMTO as the National Membership Chair from 1999–2006 and President of the Miami Chapter, from 1998–2002. Under her leadership, the Chapter was recognized as the “Chapter of the Year”. Ms. Rolle-Scott also served as the Miami Chapter’s Treasurer and Membership Chair from 1995–1997. Ms. Rolle-Scott was the recipient of COMTO’s Gerald Anderson Sibling Award for her exceptional service to COMTO both in 2001 and 2013. She is affectionately known as the Miami Chapter’s “Queen”.
Ms. Rolle-Scott has also served as a Transit Research Innovative Program (TRIP) Ambassador and has served on several TCRP Research Panels. She is a graduate of the Leadership APTA (American Public Transit Association) Class of 2002–2003 and, also continues to serve on APTA Committees.
Ms. Rolle-Scott contributes to her community’s well-being in numerous ways, with a special commitment to education, youth development and seniors. She is a mentor in the MDC BBBS partnership. She has served as a Take Stock in Children Mentor, KAPOW teacher and SECME judge at various Miami-Dade County Schools. She is a former President of the University of Miami Black Alumni Society.
As President & CEO of the Mt. Calvary Community Development Center, Inc., she is responsible for providing leadership to govern such activities as Senior Entrepreneurial Computer Training, After-School Computer Access Lab, Youth Photography Training, Reading Enrichment and food and clothing distribution. For the past13years, she has also served as the Senior Pastor of the Mt. Calvary National Church of God, Inc.
Ms. Rolle-Scott holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Miami and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Florida International University. She is also a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Dwight D. Eisenhower Transportation Fellow.
-
Derrick Gordon
Special Advisor
Derrick Gordon is a thirty two (32) year professional executive manager with the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), formerly Miami Dade Transit. Mr. Gordon has more than 23 years of management experience in bus operations, labor relations and bus maintenance. He was promoted 7 times as he began his career as a bus operator, before moving up through the organization to become the Assistant Director of Bus Services. Mr. Gordon is now responsible for an approximately $200 million dollar operation that includes all aspects of bus operations at the department. He has been an active COMTO member since 1995 and has served on the executive board in various capacities several times over the years.
-
Ed Haynes
Special Advisor
Ed is a former Marine and Law Enforcement Officer / Instructor who has been providing security services for over 30 years. Edward “Ed” Haynes, is the founder, CEO and owner of Miami-based Haynes Security Services. The Security business is the only African American owned company contracted with US Security Associates. Raised in Tallahassee, Haynes studied business administration at Bethune-Cookman University and Tallahassee Community College, served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and was the First African American to be hired by the Miami Shores Police Department. He also spent several years in California working in literacy programs, and moved to Ghana to help build a school. He started his first private security agency in the early 1990s and founded Haynes Security in 2011.
-
Hannie Woodson
Special Advisor
Hannie L. Woodson, Jr. is a seasoned transit expert with 43 years of professional experience in transportation management and operations with special expertise in rail and bus maintenance and operations. After nearly a decade in the United States Air Force where he served in the Presidential Squadron, home of Air Force One, as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Technician, Mr. Woodson began his career in transportation in 1977 as a Transit Car Electro-Mechanic with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). In 1984, Mr. Woodson was recruited to Miami Dade Transit (MDT) where he was promoted through the ranks serving at every level of rail vehicle maintenance, management and supervision beginning as First Line Supervisor and ultimately serving as Assistant Director of Rail Services; a position he held until 2005, the year he launched his full-scale transit consulting firm, H.L. Woodson & Associates.
Mr. Woodson joined COMTO under the DC Chapter and later joined the Miami Chapter in 1986. For his many years of service, expertise and commitment to transit, Mr. Woodson was recognized as the first recipient of the COMTO Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005; an award only given twice in COMTO’s nearly 50 year history. Mr. Woodson has been recognized as COMTO’s Fundraiser of the Year in 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2007. He also received COMTO’s Award of Appreciation in 2002 and 2003 and the Award of Excellence from COMTO in 2004. Most recently, he was honored at the 2019 COMTO Miami Presidents Gala.
