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DART Board member Gary A. Slagel (left) talks with acting CEO Gene Gamez during a special called DART meeting of the Committee-of-the-Whole, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n
El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
Dallas Area Rapid Transit has named an interim CEO as the agency\u00a0searches for a permanent\u00a0leader<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n David Leininger will oversee the daily operations of DART while the agency recruits its next CEO.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Former CEO Nadine Lee stepped down from her role<\/a> amid a tumultuous year for the public transportation system. She asked the board in March to not renew her contract, which was set to expire in September, and the agency decided to terminate Lee shortly after.<\/p>\n DART\u2019s general counsel Gene\u00a0Gamez<\/a> has filled in as acting CEO\u00a0temporarily. DART’s board of directors appointed\u00a0Leininger to replace him as CEO in the short term, effective May 4, before a permanent leader is hired.\u00a0<\/p>\n DART\u2019s administration committee interviewed Leininger earlier this month, according to the agency\u2019s documents.<\/p>\n David \u00a0Leininger was appointed DART interim CEO April 16, 2026. (Courtesy\/DART)<\/p>\n Dallas Area Rapid Transit<\/p>\n Leininger previously served as DART\u2019s interim president<\/a> in 2021, filling in after Gary Thomas announced he was retiring after more than 20 years of leadership at the agency. Previously, Leininger served as executive vice president and chief financial officer at DART until his departure in 2018.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Make Dallas News a preferred source so your search results prioritize writing by actual people, not AI.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add Preferred Source<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n He first joined the agency in 2008 and served in several departments, including roles overseeing finance, information technology, communications, procurement, risk management and more.<\/p>\n Prior to working at DART, he worked at the cities of Irving, Dallas and Garland in positions regarding budgets, economic initiatives and fiscal services administration.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI am honored to serve in this role once again and support the dedicated employees of DART,\u201d\u00a0Leininger said in a statement. \u201cTogether, we will remain focused on providing dependable transit options, enhancing the customer experience and advancing the agency\u2019s mission to connect people, places and opportunities across our region.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Leininger returns to the agency at a turning point for public transportation<\/a> in North Texas,\u00a0just months after DART narrowly avoided a potential mass exodus of suburban cities.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nearly half of the agency\u2019s 13 member cities<\/a> called elections to cut ties with DART. City leaders cited concerns over inadequate service, a governing structure that favored Dallas over smaller, suburban cities, and a hefty price tag of a one-cent sales tax that cities not in DART can use on services like public safety and economic development.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lee, DART Board Chair Randall Bryant, city leaders and many other regional transportation leaders came to agreements on plans<\/a> to restructure DART\u2019s governing board and funding structure, including giving cities some sales tax back over six years and pursuing changes to regional transit in the state Legislature.\u00a0<\/p>\n By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use<\/a> and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n The proposals convinced Plano, Irving and Farmers Branch to cancel their elections and remain in the system.\u00a0Voters in the Park Cities<\/a> and Addison will choose their cities\u2019 fate with DART in May 2 elections, just two days before Leininger begins as interim CEO.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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