Acting CEO Gene Gamez (left) listens alongside DART Board Chair Randall Bryant during a special-called DART meeting of the Committee-of-the-Whole, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s next CEO and president will be tasked with keeping the system from fracturing and seeing through crucial changes to governance, funding and service.
The job description, finalized recently by DART’s board of directors, emphasizes that the ability for leadership to build trust with member cities is more vital than ever.
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“We need a CEO who is a consensus-builder and a unifier,” said Plano DART Board representative Anthony Ricciardelli, a need underscored by a narrowly escaped exodus of DART’s suburban members.
Former CEO Nadine Lee stepped down earlier this year after a tumultuous few months working to reverse withdrawal elections in six cities whose leaders said they paid too much in sales tax to the agency for inadequate services and little representation.
Plano, Irving and Farmers Branch called their votes off after DART presented plans to restructure its governing board, give cities some money back for local transportation needs and pursue changes to how the region provides transit in the state Legislature. But Addison and the Park Cities will decide by May 2 if they’ll continue paying for and receiving DART services.
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“We are in a pivotal moment to define what the next 40 years of transportation looks like within this region,” said DART Board Chair Randall Bryant. “Hopefully we can attract a CEO that … can take that vision and improve upon it.”
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Starting May 4, David Leininger will oversee DART’s daily operations while the agency recruits its next leader.
DART Committee-of-the-Whole members vote in favor of making David Leininger interim DART CEO during a special-called DART meeting of the Committee-of-the-Whole, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Working with cities
In a job posting, the agency says it’s searching for a leader who “will build strong relationships with DART’s service area cities” and maintain them with “ongoing, frequent and transparent engagement” about their needs and meeting their expectations.
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“We need someone who’s flexible and pragmatic, who doesn’t come in with a pre‑baked agenda,” Ricciardelli said, “who recognizes that this is not one-size-fits-all.”
According to the job description, the CEO will be tasked with offering innovative services to member cities that match the value of the sales tax they contribute.
Farmers Branch Mayor Terry Lynne said cities want more flexibility in matching services to local needs.
“I don’t know that you’ll ever make all 13 member cities happy, but I think they can try,” Lynne said.
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It’ll be up to DART’s board, Lynne said, to make sure the next CEO has the right qualities.
“I hope that the member cities will be asked to participate in that,” Lynne said. “We have a very vested stake in all of this.”
Irving City Manager Chris Hillman wrote in a statement to The Dallas Morning News that his city anticipates DART’s next CEO will be a teammate with Irving to improve on aspects like ridership, financial transparency and cleanliness of DART vehicles.
“DART’s success starts at the top,” Hillman wrote. “We are focused on working with the new CEO to establish trust between DART and all member cities.”
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Working with partners
The next CEO must work hand-in-hand with local governments, Bryant said, especially as DART gives members money back for their own transportation needs. But the next leader will also have to work with state lawmakers, the business community, riders and other regional agencies.
“We’re in a delicate situation with those groups,” Bryant said. “We don’t want to lose any momentum. We want to build upon it.”
Also on a list of more than 60 duties and skills is the ability to work toward a broader regional vision. The agency is looking for a president who will be “visible and engaged” with partners and represent the agency at all levels, from local to national.
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Ricciardelli said he expects DART will cast a wide net for applicants and said the board is united in the search. He hopes the next leader has local ties and emphasizes safety on DART services.
The CEO job requires a bachelor’s degree and 15 years of experience in the public or private sector, the posting states. Experience in transportation is helpful but not essential, Bryant said. He does not have a background in transit himself, he noted.
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“Being a transit professional is not as important as someone that can be more engaging with our stakeholders,” he said.
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Bryant said to not expect to see his name in the running.
“I don’t have any interest in serving in that capacity,” he said. “I’m honored to be serving as the board chair, and that’s what I’m focused on right now.”