The Dallas Area Rapid Transit board is preparing to choose its next president and chief executive officer, narrowing the candidate pool to three individuals. The selection decision is scheduled for a board meeting on Tuesday, July 14, at 6 p.m.
Prior to the vote, the agency hosted a meet-and-greet event at its headquarters in downtown Dallas on Saturday afternoon. This gathering allowed board members and the public to interact with the finalists before the final decision is made.
The three candidates bring diverse backgrounds in public transit and government service. Monica Téllez-Fowler currently serves as the chief executive officer of the Central Ohio Transit Authority. She joined that agency in 2023 after working for a transportation organization in Vancouver, Washington. Téllez-Fowler has ties to Texas, having previously held the position of chief financial officer at Trinity Metro in Fort Worth. She also holds degrees from Texas A&M University and Tarleton State University.
Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. is the current chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority in Florida, a role he has held for more than 13 years. His career began at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York, followed by leadership positions at transit agencies in San Francisco and Atlanta. Florida media reports indicate that Ford intends to step down from his current position on January 8, 2027.
Dee Leggett is the only finalist with prior experience working directly for DART. She was appointed executive vice president of growth and regional development at the agency in 2022. Leggett currently works as the director of business operations for Herzog Transit Services, a rail company involved in the DART Silver Line project.
