The Most Distinguished Individuals in Florida Public Transportation
This is the highest honor that our association can bestow. In our 40+ year history, the Board and members of the Florida Public Transportation Association have only chosen a select few individuals to be honored with induction to our Hall of Fame.
The people listed below have made a significant and lasting impact in advancing public transportation in Florida and we are very proud that each has chosen to work alongside the FPTA.
2013 – Perry Maull
Perry Maull contributed to the advancement of public transportation in more Florida communities than any other transit manager in the history of the state. After graduating from Indiana University as a participant in the famous “George Smerk Transit Management...
2012 – Ben Watts
In 2012, Mr. Ben Watts was inducted into the FPTA Hall of Fame. Mr. Watts, a Florida native, is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served for five years in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with tours in Germany and South Korea. In 1974, he...
2011 – Wes Watson
Wes Watson is the “face” of public transportation in the State of Florida. Wes served as the first and only Executive Director of the Florida Public Transportation Association for 30 years, leading the Florida Public Transportation Association into the successful...
2010 – Senator Jack D. Gordon
Senator Jack Gordon faithfully and enthusiastically served the Florida Senate for six terms from 1972 to 1992 where he chaired several committees. including Appropriations, Finance and Taxation, Ways and Means, Education, Health and Rehabilitative Services, and...
2008 – Harry Orr
Harry Orr was the first Transit Director of Hartline in Tampa and served as director until his retirement in 1985. Previous to his position at Hartline, Harry was the Director of Parking for the City of Tampa. After the Mayor of Tampa told Harry that the City could no...
2008 – Wil Barnes
Wil Barnes was a model general manager dedicated to quality public service, and was a pioneer in the art of transitioning private transit providers into public transportation agencies. He was instrumental in creating the PAT system in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the...
2007 – Gary Brosch
The Florida Public Transportation Association welcomes Mr.Gary Brosch into its Hall of Fame. Gary has been directly involved in policy and research associated with public transportation since 1981 when he worked as a Special Economic Advisor for the Urban Mass...
2007 – Senator James Hargrett
The Florida Public Transportation Association welcomes former state Senator James T. (Jim) Hargrett, Jr., into our Hall of Fame. In 1990, while Chairing the House of Representatives Committee on Public Transportation, then Representative Hargrett was instrumental...
2006 – Ken Fischer
Kenneth P. Fischer’s has served the Florida Public Transportation Association in a number of ways. He chaired numerous committees, was the FPTA Chair in 1991, as well as Vice-Chair and Secretary Treasurer in prior years. But Ken’s greatest contribution to FPTA...