PSTA names Caryn Nesmith deputy director of community affairs

Joining the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority team made sense for Caryn Nesmith. She has spent years as a community builder. 

Nesmith began her tenure as PSTA’s deputy director of community affairs last month. The organization officially announced the decision July 7. 

PSTA provides public transportation through bus, trolley, ferry and vanpool services. The government agency, which evolved from early 20th century streetcar lines, was officially established in 1984. 

“I was really excited by the opportunity,” Nesmith explained to the Catalyst. “I think that transit is such an important economic driver in our community. It really has so much impact on people.”

Nesmith will help lead engagement initiatives and oversee public outreach efforts. 

“The organization has a lot of very exciting projects coming up that work across the county,” she said. “So, my role would really be to work with municipal governments and support planning efforts and the implementation of these different projects.” 

Currently, PSTA is developing the Tampa Bay Ferry service and the 727 express route, which will connect individuals from downtown St. Petersburg to the Tampa International Airport. 

“In addition to helping to move forward projects, just getting the word out about the good work that PSTA does,” Nesmith continued. “Right now, we’re also facing a lot of different, important policy impacts that could be forthcoming with the property tax vote, which will be affecting PSTA one way or another.” 

According to the Florida Policy Institute, Amendment 3 “would increase the state’s homestead exemption, reduce the assessment growth cap on non-homesteaded properties and create a pathway for the full elimination of non-school property taxes on homesteads.” 

This could impact local revenue and “leave counties, municipalities and special districts with limited options to pay for the local services Floridians rely on.” Residents will get to decide whether the amendment passes in November.

Prior to joining the PSTA team, Nesmith served as director of community relations for the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.

Before pursuing a career in academia, she collaborated with U.S. government agencies and international nonprofits. Nesmith’s work focused on international policy, strategic communications and international development, according to a PSTA prepared statement. 

She is also the co-founder of The Third Place LLC, an initiative that fosters social connection and civic engagement. Nesmith and her team create dialogue programs, design civic series, lead workshops and provide consulting services, among other offerings. 

“I was so lucky to be really rooted in the community over the last decade really serving both USF and the broader Pinellas County and St. Pete community,” Nesmith said. “So, I feel very connected to a role that has that sort of impact, that’s both important to the economics of a region and important to helping improve peoples’ lives in our community.” 

Nesmith added that she is most looking forward to the education aspect of the job. 

“I have so much to learn,” she explained. “I think if I had to do my career over again, I would have been very interested in urban planning. So, I’m now embedded in planning.” 

The professional wants to learn all about the transit industry and hopes to better “connect” PSTA throughout the Tampa Bay region. 

“Caryn brings an extensive record of community engagement, coalition building and public service to PSTA,” said PSTA chief planning and community affairs officer Darden Rice in a prepared statement. “Her experience working across sectors and building strong relationships with local governments, nonprofits, educational institutions and community organizations will be invaluable as PSTA continues to strengthen partnerships throughout Pinellas County.”