Dallas Area Rapid Transit is expected to announce the finalist for its president and chief executive officer position on Tuesday afternoon. It marks a major step in the agency’s search for its next leader as it works to address regional challenges and strengthen relationships with member cities . The DART Board of Directors will hold a press conference following a special-called executive meeting scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday at DART headquarters in downtown Dallas. In a statement released ahead of the announcement, Board Chairman Randall Bryant said the board has selected a finalist and is completing the employment process before publicly identifying the candidate. “As Chairman, I 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 that commitment,” he said. The board voted 9 to 6 last week to authorize negotiations with its top candidate, though the finalist’s identity was not officially released. The final three candidates include Nathaniel Ford Sr., chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority in Florida; Monica Téllez-Fowler, chief executive officer of the Central Ohio Transit Authority; and Dee Leggett, a former DART executive who currently works in the private transit sector. All three participated in a public meet-and-greet last week at DART’s headquarters. The CEO search comes at a pivotal time for DART. The agency has spent much of the past year navigating tensions with several member cities over service levels and funding. Earlier this year, nearly half of DART’s member cities considered placing their membership in the transit agency up for a public vote before reaching agreements aimed at improving service and accountability. Highland Park was the only city to actually leave the transit system after a public vote. Cities will have another opportunity to vote to leave DART in 2032, but DART is working through reforms aimed at improving service and addressing concerns from the member cities. DART leaders have repeatedly emphasized that rebuilding trust among stakeholders and unifying the agency’s member cities will be among the new CEO’s top priorities. “The future of DART right now is one that is evolving,” Bryant said during a recent press conference. “We are advancing a system that is frequent, reliable and more responsive to the diverse transit communities we serve.” The search follows the departure of former CEO Nadine Lee, who announced earlier this year that she would leave the agency after five years. Interim CEO David Leininger has overseen day-to-day operations during the national search process. ...read more read less