In 1977, the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funded the nation's smallest rural demonstration transportation grant ($120,000) to the local Green River Area Development District (GRADD). Most of the DOT-funded "Rural Demonstration" systems, including several in Kentucky, were more than $1 million for five years. GRADD partnered with Audubon Area Community Services, Inc. (AACS). Together, the agencies implemented, administered, and operated the program for two years, with the AACS then assuming total GRITS operational management by 1980. That then smallest-funded system is one of only two programs funded then still operating today in the State of Kentucky. This system is called the Green River Intra-County Transit System, or simply by its acronym, GRITS.
Credit belongs to everyone involved in this notable feat, but mostly to Transit System Manager Buddy R. Fuqua--the first and only director the GRITS system has had. Mr. Fuqua is a native of Owensboro, Kentucky and a graduate of Owensboro High School. He received his B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration from Brescia College, Owensboro. Mr. Fuqua also has served two years in the military.
Mr. Fuqua has held the offices of President (1993-95) and previously that of Vice President of the Kentucky Public Transit Association. He presently also serves on the GRADD Regional Transportation Planning Committee. He has served under a gubernatorial appointment on the Kentucky Committee on Transportation and on Kentucky cabinet for Human Resources (Jobs program). Mr. Fuqua is much in demand as a transportation advisor! He currently serves on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Consortium Committee on Drug and Alcohol. He also has worked as a consultant with other transit system statewide.
In September 1999, Mr. Fuqua was the first addition to the newly created Kentucky Transit Hall of Fame wall. A significant accomplishment!
Mr Fuqua's extensive training includes the following areas: Bus Maneuvers and Defensive Driving. Substance Abuse Management. Practical Aspects of Transit Operations. Fleet Safety Compliance. Emergency Vehicle Driver. Drug Alcohol Misuse. Managing Human Resources Practical Financial Management. Managing Company Tactical Operations. Managing Organizational Change. Organizational Leadership. Professional Development Program.Strategic Leadership. Building High Involvement Teams. Corporate & Financial Management.
RonLogsdon@aol.com