CLAY COUNTY – Middleburg’s Renee Knight’s career in eldercare took another significant step, landing a spot on the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged.

Knight was appointed to the commission by Gov. Ron DeSantis in September to a four-year term. She said counties around the state face the same funding challenges as Clay County.

The commission is an independent agency coordinating transportation for elderly, disabled and low-income residents. Commission Executive Director David Darm, a Clay County native, greeted Knight’s appointment.

“We are excited to welcome Renee Knight as a Governor-appointee to the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged,” Darm said. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of senior needs. Her experience as a community transportation coordinator along with her background working with ElderSource will be an invaluable asset to this statewide program.”

Knight is ElderSource’s vice president of community services and she previously served as the executive director of the Clay County Council on Aging from 2001-2007. Knight attended St. Johns River State College and the University of North Florida.

At ElderSource, the state senior care agency for Northeast Florida’s seven counties, Knight oversees a team placing people on a waitlist for in-home services and government programs. Knight manages SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), volunteers who answer and provide Medicare and beneficiary counseling information.

“We have about 50 volunteers gearing up for tomorrow (Oct. 15) with Medicare open enrollment,” Knight said. “It's big, where people change and select plans.”

Knight briefly returned to the Clay County Council on Aging last year as interim executive director. The CCOA had fired its executive director and Knight was installed due to her experience. With heavy losses, the CCOA eventually folded and lost its senior care and transportation contracts.

“The second time around was sad. Grant cycles had changed, and Clay County had changed in size,” Knight said. “The funding had not kept up with the grant requirements. It was very tough.”

Clay County isn’t unique in its public transportation woes, but Knight said she approved of the county and Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s efforts to restore service.

“I'm hoping that it will eventually get back to a system where more Clay County citizens can have transportation, especially to the senior centers. I think there's a lot of folks not getting where they need to go,” Knight said. “Right now, I think JTA has done a great job to come in and be able to keep on going and the county has been supportive. The budget this year shows their commitment.”

Knight said she wants to put the interests of the disadvantaged at the front, particularly those in rural areas. The state Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged meets quarterly.

“It's a big responsibility that I take very seriously and I'm hoping I can make a difference,” Knight said.