Eugene Morrison was born, raised and received his formal education in Jacksonville, Florida. He attended Florida A&M University from 1955 to 1957. He was among the first three Blacks to be recruited by Dade County and was hired as a bus driver.
In the late William Pawley. The week following the purchase, classified ads ran for bus drivers. Mr. Morrison was among the first Blacks to apply along with Ishmael Sharpe and Aaron Perkins. He was hired on February 12, 1962, which was just within weeks of the ·colored, seated from the rear· signs being removed from the buses.
In 1983, Mr. Morrison moved over to the Metrorail division where he became the first Black Train Operator. He was later promoted to Rail Supervisor and then to Chief Supervisor. After 35 years of service, Mr. Morrison’s professional experience at MDT included the positions of Bus Operator, Bus Supervisor, Train Operator, Rail Supervisor and Lead Rail Supervisor, of which 12 were in management.
Mr. Morrison was a founding Board Member and Treasurer of the South Florida Chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO). He was elected and served as President from 1990 to 1992. Mr. Morrison states that under his leadership the organization realized increased membership, initiated regular monthly meetings, and raised a considerable amount of funding.
One of his greatest challenges as President, was to increase attendance at monthly meetings. During his service as chapter President, he was inspired by the COMTO National President as well as the local chapter Past President, Charles George.
Mr. Morrison is a man given to service. He was a charter official of the Transport Workers Union, AFL-CIO 291 and served as President, 2nd Vice President and Board Member from 1970 – 1979. He also served as the State Treasurer of the A. Phillip Randolph Institute from 1975 – 1980. In addition, Mr. Morrison served as a Board Member for the Government Supervisor Association Federation from 1993 until his retirement.
After 35 years of service, Mr. Morrison retired from the Miami-Dade Transit Agency in 1997. He currently serves as President of the Retired Employees Transit Coalition (RETCO). RETCO is a non-profit organization of retired transit employees who provide community input and actively promote transportation issues as well as ensuring scholarship opportunities for youth. He is also very active in his church where he serves as President of an auxiliary group.
Mr. Morrison’s community involvement is extensive and includes visiting the sick, feeding the homeless and transporting the elderly to such places as the hospitals and voting precincts. He is a member of the Young Men’s Christian Association, He has also been president and Vice-president of Holy Redeemer School PTA (1969-1972), Worshipful Master of Brownsville Progressive Lodge#510, PHA (l985-1990), Treasurer of Brownsville Masonic Lodge (1990 to present), Trustee Chair of the Kazah Temple (1990 – present) and state Treasurer of Union Grand Commandment of Knight Temple Masons (1993 to present). Mr. Morrison also travels throughout the United States with his Masonic organization.
