City of Dallas Mill Creek/Peaks Branch/State Thomas Drainage Relief Project

The City of Dallas is hosting a pre-bid meeting for the Mill Creek Drainage Relief Tunnel Project. A Meet & Greet for interested Minority Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) contractors from the North Texas region will be held immediately after the Pre-Bid Meeting. Participants will learn about the City of Dallas bidding process/contracting opportunities for the $250 million Mill Creek Project. 

Click here for the full press release

SOLUTIONS SUGGESTED TO SOLVE CHICAGO RAIL BACK-UPS

Amtrak panel recommends co-located dispatchers, improved operating practices and projects to prevent $800 billion in impacts from rail gridlock

Click here for full press release

COMTO to hold its 23rd Annual Transportation BrainTrust, Grow America: Embracing Innovation and Inspiring Leaders 

The Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) is holding its 23rd Annual Transportation BrainTrust, in partnership with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Thursday, September 17, 2015. Hosted by Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD), the BrainTrust is scheduled for 3:00-5:00pm at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Room 143-C. 

Click here for Full Press Release

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Departmental Office of Civil Rights (DOCR) is pleased to introduce DBE News

DBE News is a fresh way that DOCR will provide you with current information related to the Department’s Disadvantaged Enterprise Program and updates. Specifically, DBE News will feature stories and announcements on upcoming speaking engagements, policy and regulatory developments, and other significant information that is important for the program’s recipients, DBEs and other stakeholders to know.

Click here for Full Press Release.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces $100 Million in Grants
to Connect More Americans with Jobs, Ladders of Opportunity 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced today $100 million in competitive grants to 24 recipients in 19 states to significantly improve bus service and bus facilities in urban and rural communities where residents depend heavily on public transportation.

Click Here for Full Press Release.

Detroit: Transportation and Opportunity for All
-Secretary Anthony Foxx

"For six years and counting, President Obama has been working to open more doors of opportunity in more parts of America than ever before.  He's taken us from a recession to a growing recovery.  He saved the American auto industry and helped stabilize the financial system. He's overseeing the longest streak of private-sector job creation in American history. And he's provided access to affordable healthcare for millions of Americans.  And yet there is still more to do."

Read Full Press Release, Click here.

CBCF/COMTO Transportation BrainTrust Bridges Opportunities for Minority Owned 
Businesses via GROW AMERICA Act 

The CBCF/COMTO BrainTrust focused on GROW AMERICA, or Generating Renewal, Opportunity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America, which is designed to do exactly as its name implies: Grow America. Noting key components of the Act, Secretary Foxx told the overflow audience that the Act will:

• Support millions of American jobs repairing and modernizing our roads, bridges, railways, and transit systems;
• Help ensure that American businesses can compete effectively in the global economy and grow; and
• Pave the way forward by increasing access to the ladders of opportunity that help Americans get ahead.

Click Here for Full Press Release.

Surety & Fidelity Association of America Brings Together Sureties and Small & Emerging Contractors for Inaugural Summit

SEPTEMBER 26, 2014, WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) held its first ever Surety Summit with a focus on building sustainable Disadvantaged/Minority/ Small Business Enterprises (D/M/SBEs) through bonding. For over two decades, part of SFAA’s overall mission has been providing bonding assistance to small, emerging, and minority contractors, and SFAA has expanded this mission through partnering with various organizations. Now for the first time, SFAA has brought all the stakeholders to the table to understand the scope and value of these efforts and to assure alignment and support in assisting D/M/SBEs in becoming sustainable, bondable businesses. “One of the big takeaways from the open and frank dialogue today was that everyone benefits from working with successful D/M/SBEs and welcomes opportunities to help them succeed,” says SFAA President Lynn M. Schubert. (Click Here to Read the Full Press Release.)

Arnold M. Jolivet, Director of the Maryland Minority Contractors Association, Passes at 71 

COMTO Congratulates the USDOT's Victor Mendez and Peter Rogoff on Their New Positions

The Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) congratulates Victor Mendez on his Senate confirmation as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Deputy Secretary of Transportation. COMTO also congratulates Peter Rogoff for his confirmation as USDOT Undersecretary for Policy.

Both men have advanced public transportation in their previous roles as Federal Highway Administrator and Federal Transit Administrator. "We look forward to working in partnership with Victor Mendez and Peter Rogoff in their new leadership positions," said COMTO Board Chair Robert Prince.

Press Release: COMTO Elects New Board/Begins Search For New President/CEO
The National Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) named its new Board of Directors for 2014-2016 at its highly successful 43rd Annual National Meeting and Training Conference, held at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta, July 12-15. Board Chair Robert Prince announced that COMTO will begin a National Search to find a replacement for its late President/CEO Julie Cunningham.

Press Release: Greer Gillis Named White House Champion of Change
The White House honored eleven heroes who are “Champions of Change” for their exceptional efforts to ensure that transportation facilities, services and jobs help individuals and their communities connect to 21^st century opportunities.

A Message From Robert Prince, COMTO National Chair, on the Passing of Nelson Mandela
The Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) join the entire world community in celebrating the brilliant life and countless contributions of The Honorable Nelson Mandela. There are individuals that are called to live a life sacrifice in order to facilitate the greater good for the most people. President Mandela was certainly one of those individuals. A visionary leader, he epitomized strength and wisdom. His lifelong sacrifices served to better the plight of mankind across the globe. We are inspired by his lifelong commitment to improve the lot of the oppressed and under-represented. Today with his legacy as our compass, we rededicate our collective organizational efforts to continue leveling the playing field in this Nation. President Mandela, you will remain in our hearts forever. We thank you and may you rest in peace.

Click here to view the Proclamation issued by the White House.

2014 View From the Hill
More than 40 delegates from across the nation representing the Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) gathered on Capitol Hill Tuesday, March 11, to be briefed by administrative staff from the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure regarding transportation issues affecting every American.

For the full press release click here.

2014 Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation: Reverend Jesse Jackson Keynotes
Internationally acclaimed civil rights champion Reverend Jesse Jackson brought an audience of nationally prominent transportation industry leaders and Washington, DC, dignitaries to their feet Wednesday, March 12, with his keynote address at the Conference Of Minority Transportation Official’s (COMTO) third annual Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation awards breakfast at the J.W. Marriott in the nation’s capital.
Read the full press release here.

2014 Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation
This annual awards breakfast celebrates women leading and advancing the transportation infrastructure. View the following press release for the list of honorees here. 

COMTO and APTA Response to Inspector General Report OIG ZA-2013-072
COMTO and APTA have joined forces in responding the OIG Report ZA-2013-072 by issuing a letter toThe Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation. Click here to view COMTO and APTA's letter to provide additional comments. Click here to view the submission receipt.

21st Annual CBCF Transportation Braintrust
COMTO in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus held its 21st Annual Transportation Braintrust during the CBC Legislative Conference on September 19th. The Braintrust was officiated by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) with the topic Transportation Infrastructure: Big Opportunities for Small Businesses. We were able to address issues affecting the industry and more specifically the role of minorities involved in current industry trends. For pictures of the event click here.

A Thank You Letter from Julie Cunningham
COMTO’s 42nd National Meeting and Training Conference was a success. Please read a letter of thanks to all the hosts, sponsors, presenters, moderators and panelists and attendees from COMTO’s President & Chief Executive Officer, Julie Cunningham.

Photos of COMTO 42nd National Meeting and Training Conference
The Photo Album of the Conference and Training Meeting including our special surprise guests Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and the Reverend Jesse Jackson can be viewed here.

Anthony Foxx Named Secretary of Transportation
COMTO wholeheartedly supported President Barack Obama’s nomination of Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx for Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation. View Press Release here.

2013 Industry Awards
View the following Press Releases about the recipients of the 2013 Industry Awards.

COMTO To Hold 42nd National Meeting in Jacksonville, FL
Industry Group Will Award $50,000 in Scholarships. More than 450 transportation executives from across the nation will gather at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, July 13-17, 2013. View press release here.

Mayor Anthony Foxx's Nomination
President Obama nominates Charlottee Mayor Anthony Foxx as Secrretary of Transportation. View press release here.

COMTO President Goes One on One with Melissa Sabatine at AAAE
COMTO President/CEO Julie Cunningham, was recently interviewed by Melissa Sabatine, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, American Association Airport Executives. The interview can be watched here.

COMTO’s President & CEO, Julie Cunningham, Guest on Washington Watch with Roland Martin
See this important interview about small businesses click here.

View the Latest Edition of COMTO's Newsletter Accelerate
Click here to view the current issue of Accelerate.