Interim Executive Director

Frank T. Martin

Frank T. Martin, a transit veteran, joined the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority in December 2018 as its interim executive director. He was chosen to lead the agency by the Board of Directors as they continue the search of a permanent executive director. Martin’s more than 40 years of experience made him an ideal candidate to lead the agency through this transition.

In addition to a previous stint as general manager at the BJCTA from 1981 to 1984, Martin was also with the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Greater Richmond Transit Company, New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, Miami Dade Transit and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. As part of Atkins North America’s Transportation Group Company, he worked with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Right Transit Construction Management, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority and the Norfolk Light Rail Transit Program Management. He has owned a consulting firm, Frank T. Martin Consult, since 2014.

A member of the American Public Transportation Association Hall of Fame, Martin has also served on their Board of Directors and Business Members Board of Governors. He also served on the State of Florida-State University Board of Governors and the Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees, where he was the chairman of the board from 2016 until 2018. Martin graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from Tennessee State University and with a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Fisk University.

Executive Assistant to Executive Director & Board Support

DiNaira Gilbert

DiNaira Crosby Gilbert, J.D. joined the BJCTA team in February 2019.  She currently serves as Board Support and the Executive Assistant to Interim Executive Director Frank T. Martin.  Mrs. Gilbert brings with her over nine years of project and program management experience in the public and private sector.

Mrs. Gilbert completed her undergraduate studies at Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University and holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a Criminal Justice minor which she earned with Magna Cum Laude honors.  She furthered her legal studies earning her Juris Doctorate from Birmingham School of Law.

Chief of Staff

Valerie Rivers

Valerie Rivers, better known as “Vickie”, a native of Birmingham, joined MAX in February 2019. She returns home after a 35 plus year career serving in various capacities in the public and private sector in the cities of Houston, TX, Richmond, VA and many other places.  She is a graduate of Tuskegee Institute and Southern University School of Law.

Executive Assistant to Chief of Staff

Mikesha T. Harvill

Mikesha T. Harvill began her career with MAX in June 2012. Her background includes more than 10 years’ experience in marketing, communications, executive administrative support, and customer service. She holds an undergraduate degree in Business from Faulkner University. Mikesha is completing her graduate studies at Southern New Hampshire University where she will earn a Master’s Degree in Communications (Public Relations concentration) in August 2019.

Director of Safety

Christopher Brewster

Christopher M. Brewster has been with BJCTA since 2007. He started as a Paratransit Operator and has worked as an Operations Supervisor and Safety and Training Supervisor prior to assuming the Safety Director role. His educational back ground included undergraduate studies at Mississippi Valley State University as a Computer Information Science Major with a Minor in Business Administration. Additional training and certification would include: The Transportation Safety Institute’s TSSP certification and The World Safety Organization’s WSO-Certified Safety and Security Director(CSSD).

Director of Human Resources

Deirdre Byrd

Deirdre F. Byrd has been with BJCTA since April 2005. Her years of transit experience includes Operations, Finance and Human Resources. She is a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.

Director Of I.T.

Toney Chestnut

Toney Chestnut Sr. joined BJCTA July 2016 as the Director of Information Technology. Prior to joining MAX, Toney had over 10 years of experience providing strategic leadership and directing the overall planning, organizing and execution of all IT-related functions. Toney Chestnut Sr. has a Bachelor of Science in Network Security and Associates Degree in Network Engineering.

Director of Finance

Glenn Dickerson

Glenn Dickerson joined MAX in February 2019 as Finance Director.  His professional career in accounting and finance spans over 40 years and includes experiences with Fortune 500 corporations, in public accounting, with governmental entities, and in higher education.  He has served in the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Controller in several organizations and as Partner in public accounting. 

Dickerson attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he graduated with honors majoring in accounting.  He received his CPA certification in Texas and also holds the same certification in Alabama.  His affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Officer of Civil RIghts, Diversity & Inclusion

Phyllis Goode

Phyllis Goode has been with MAX since September 2018.  Her background includes more than 15 years in contracts and compliance.  She earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a graduate degree in Human Resources & Strategic Management from Troy University.

Manager of Procurement

Darryl R. Grayson

Darryl R. Grayson has been with MAX since April 2013. His background includes 23 years of Procurement/Purchasing experience. Previously served as Purchasing Manager at Wachovia Bank and later transitioned to Procurement Officer at Mercedes-Benz Corporation. He attended Jefferson State College and University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) with a focus in Music Education and Business Administration.

Director of Planning

Joshua Johnson

Joshua Johnson has been with MAX since November of 2017. His background includes 6 years of urban and transportation planning experience. He earned his bachelors in Political Science from the University of North Alabama, Masters in Public Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and has a Professional Certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Michigan State. Josh has also served in the military for over 8 years and is currently serving as an Infantryman.

Director of Maintenance

Johnathan Mitchell

Johnathan Mitchell is a returning MAX employee.  From 2011-2014, he was a Tech I Mechanic and from 2014-2016 he became Lead Mechanic.  Johnathan advanced his transit career by traveling to Ohio and became Fleet Manager of COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) for 2 years.  After gaining much knowledge of the administrative management side of transit, he returned to his humble beginnings—MAX—in 2018 as the new Director of Maintenance.

Johnathan holds 15 years of automotive experience.  He is a graduate of Lawson State Community College (Medium Heavy Duty Equipment-Long Certificate) and received his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Virginia College.  Johnathan is also ASE certified in Transit Brakes & HVAC Recycling/Recover.

Director of Customer Care and Marketing

Myrna J. Pittman

Myrna J. Pittman has been with MAX since December 2017. Her background includes 33 years at Southern Company in numerous leadership capacities. She is a graduate of the business school of NC A&T State University, did graduate work at Mercer University and completed executive leadership training at both Emory University and Harvard University.

Director of Operations

Christopher Ruffin

Christopher Ruffin began his transportation career at BJCTA as a Fixed Route Operator in 2010. In August 2016, Ruffin was promoted to the Director of Operations after being the Fixed Route Lead Supervisor and Manager. Ruffin has also served in the capacity as Interim Executive Director for nine (9) months in 2018. He is currently enrolled as a student at Miles College.

Director of Grants Programs

Stephanie Walker

Stephanie Walker has fifteen years of financial experience and has been employed with MAX since April 2016.  Her background includes leadership roles in Finance, Grants Management, HR Benefits and Procurement.  Stephanie is a graduate of Miles College, where she studied Business administration.  She completed graduate school at Jacksonville State University and received a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.