Cincinnati Metro CEO/GM Dwight Ferrell was awarded the Thomas G. Neusom Founders' Leadership Award by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) during its annual conference in July.

The Thomas G. Neusom Founders' Leadership Award is the highest honor bestowed by COMTO and honors public and private transportation executives and policymakers responsible for the direction and operation of their agency or organization and who, through their affiliation with COMTO, have made outstanding contributions towards the growth and development of people of color within the transportation industry and have given continued and outstanding service and leadership to the organization. This award is reserved for a COMTO member who demonstrates, in his or her everyday life, the same spirit of achievement as COMTO's founders.

Founded in 1971, COMTO was created to provide a forum for senior level minority professionals in the transportation industry. Since its inception, COMTO has continued to evolve to become the premier organization for the training, education and professional development of minority transportation professionals.

Metro is a non-profit, tax-funded public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 17 million rides per year.