July 16, 2026 - TRA Newswire -
Who did the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) board select for their new President/CEO? Despite a 9-6 board vote that pointed to an un-named "Candidate A", the finalist will not be publicly announced until July 21.
This follows questions into Candidate A, that some board members referred to as a man. The only male among the 3 finalists is Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., Chief Executive Officer, Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA).
In an editorial in the Dallas Morning News, the choice of Ford was described as troubling, citing "spending and ethics baggage".
At Tuesday's DART board meeting, a motion to delay the final vote failed by a 5 to 10 margin. Opposing board members cited a lack of time to properly vet the three candidates and that Ford was only brought into the process as of last week.
Board member Doug Hrbacek, who represents Carrollton and Irving, said "A candidate bypassed the process and became a finalist on Friday, July 10. That's two business days ago. Two business days later, we are being asked to vote on that candidate. Since Friday, red flag after red flag after red flag has been uncovered and, as a board member, we should be able to have the appropriate amount of time to conduct due diligence and do research before we take a vote," according to Hrbacek.
Ford's tenure in Jacksonville raised scrutiny on his travels. In 2024 the Florida Office of Inspector General was concerned that taxpayer funds were spent on extensive travel, including a $10,000 trip to Spain. FOX 30 in Jacksonville reported that JTA records state half of Ford's time with the JTA has been spent outside the office traveling. News4jax.com reported JTA has faced criticism lately after cutting services and raising fares to address a projected $17.5 million budget shortfall for fiscal 2027.
However, Ford has overseen major projects and initiatives in Jacksonville, according to News4jax.com. Under his leadership, the JTA says it launched the First Coast Flyer bus rapid transit system, built the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, secured more than $400 million in federal discretionary grants, supported a local-option gas tax extension that generated about $1 billion for regional infrastructure, and completed a 27-project road and complete-streets initiative two years ahead of schedule. Other JTA projects included a redesign of the transit system, regional service expansions, deployment of an autonomous-vehicle transit service and attracting a $200 million autonomous vehicle manufacturing investment.
In a statement, DART Board President Randall Bryant said "As Chairman, I'm committed to strengthening DART's governance, securing sustainable funding, and preserving the agency's future. Selecting a highly qualified leader is a critical step in delivering on tat commitment."
The other two finalists were Dee Leggett, AICP, Director of Business Operations, Herzog Transit Services, Inc. (HTSI) and former DART EVP & Chief Development Officer and Monica Tellez-Fowler, President/ CEO, Central Ohio Transit Authority.
The public had an opportunity to hear the qualifications of each candidate as each spoke before a packed board room at the DART headquarters last Saturday.
Nathaniel Ford served nearly four decades in public transportation entities around the country including Atlanta, San Francisco, New York and now in Jacksonville, Florida as CEO of their transportation authority. "Those cities can't move without having a robust public transportation system for their citizens. It impacts economic development, access to affordable housing, healthcare, education. I've always looked at my position not as one of checking boxes and focusing on finances and budget but what am I doing to take it one step further, to improve the quality of life in that city," according to Ford.
In a statement issued by The Dallas Area Transit Alliance (DATA), a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and advancing public transit in the service area of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), the organization pointed to Ms. Leggett as the most qualified to lead the transit agency.