June 17, 2022
COMTO Miami Installs New Board at the "Historic Hampton House"
On Thursday, June 9, 2022, the COMTO Miami Chapter held its Installation of Officers & Reception at the Historic Hampton House in Miami, FL. The Hampton House is the location of a scene in the movie “One Night in Miami”. The event was hosted by Aaron Weeks, Immediate Past President. Jimmy Morales, Chief Operating Officer of Miami-Dade County provided the Official Welcome and presented COMTO National Board Chair, Tanya Adams, and Vice President of Inclusion & Diversity for WSP USA with a “Distinguished Visitor” Proclamation. COMTO National Chair, Tanya Adams provided encouraging remarks and conducted the Installation Ceremony the following Officers:
- Valerie Williams, DTPW Bus Superintendent – President
- Veronica Griffin, DTPW Rail Yard Master – 1st Vice President
- Gregory Robinson, General Superintendent, Rail Transportation – 2nd Vice President
- Ronyal Jones, Bus Operator – Secretary
- Adrianne Mainor, Bus Operator – Treasurer
- Melissa Rolle-Scott, DTPW Section Chief, Audit & Compliance – Parliamentarian
- Franklin Brown, Special Assignment Bus Operator – Board Member At Large
- Wade Jones, Jr., DTPW Section Chief, Bus Operations – Board Member At Large
- Reynold Monestine, DTPW Property Manager – Board Member At Large
As COMTO Miami President Valerie Williams took the gavel, she shared her vision for the Chapter with a goal to get members more involved in the community. She also introduced two of her 2022–2024 Board Advisors: Frank T. Martin and Harold L. Young.
On hand to witness the ceremony were DTPW Director, Eulois Cleckley, Miami-Dade Aviation Department Director Ralph Cutie, and Debra Owens, representing the Port of Miami Leadership. The room was filled with members, friends, and business associates. The nostalgic ambiance of the room, great music and food made for a great night of celebration.
Having the ceremony at such a historic location was deliberate. COMTO Miami believes that this is our time and season as an organization to use our influence to help those without. Our mission aligns with that of the Hampton House. During segregation, the Hampton House (a resort) was one of the few places where African Americans could stay when traveling or vacationing. Great jazz artists performed there, and people from all races and cultures enjoyed the best Miami had to offer in accommodations.
During the 1960s, Muhammed Ali was not allowed to spend the night in Miami Beach because of Jim Crow’s segregation laws. Instead, he would stay at the Hampton House Motel, a story later shared on the big screen called, One Night in Miami, directed by Regina King.
Serving as the epicenter of a community in need, the Historic Hampton House is committed to programming that inspires, educates, and empowers its community members.