John Jones, Transit Manager, Charlottesville Area Transit
Where were you born (and raised, if different)?
Richmond, Ohio (yes, there is a Richmond in Ohio, it’s about 50 miles west of Pittsburgh, Pa.)
When and why did you move to the Charlottesville/Albemarle area?
February 2013. I felt that it was a great area to live and work and CAT needed a manager.
What neighborhood do you live in now?
I live out in the County near the Fluvanna County line.
What is your alma mater and when did you graduate?
The Franciscan University of Steubenville, 1995.
Family (spouse, kids, etc.)?
Married to Jeanette for 34 years. My Daughter Jaime teaches autistic children in Dearborn, MI; my son, John, Jr. is a salesman for an automotive aftermarket equipment company.
What were you doing before you came to work for the county?
Transit Director for Summit County, Colorado.
Your job title is Transit Manager of Charlottesville Area Transit- what, in your own words, would you say you do?
I manage the moving of people around our area.
What is the best part of your job? The most difficult part?
I have a great staff, the folks I work with at the City are some of the best people I have ever had the privilege of working alongside and I have met many hardworking people riding the bus. I have to make many difficult decisions about restructuring service. Sometimes we have many people who are unhappy with us. Achieving the balance between service and efficiency is very difficult. We have to do the best we can for the most.
How does your job most directly impact the average person?
A great number of people in our City depend upon our services to get to and from work, recreational activities, and other personal appointments and errands every day. Every service decision we make affects someone who uses the bus – some positively and some negatively. We try to keep the negatives to a minimum.
What is the most interesting project or work experience that you’ve had while with the county?
Planning the service changes we put in place on January 4.
What is a little-known fact about you?
I am a distance runner. That might not sound like much but I didn’t start until just last spring and I am pretty old!
What do you do outside of work hours – hobbies, etc.?
I read history, I still work on my own vehicles when I can, ride my motorcycle, and play around with woodworking. I also enjoy rock climbing when I can get on some good rocks and I like camping waaaayyyyy out in the woods where there isn’t anyone else around and the cell phone won’t work.
