At a Dallas City Council Transportation Committee hearing on Monday, officials from Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) addressed questions about the agency’s upcoming leadership change. Interim CEO David Leninger and Board Chair Randall Bryant fielded inquiries regarding the appointment of Nathaniel Ford as DART’s next chief executive officer.
Background on the hire
Ford was announced as DART’s incoming CEO in July. Prior to joining DART, he served as the chief executive of the Jacksonville Transit Authority (JTA), an agency currently grappling with a multimillion‑dollar budget shortfall and a criminal investigation launched by the Florida Attorney General.
The investigation focuses on spending that occurred while Ford led JTA, including expenses for massages, murals, hotel stays and a tuition‑reimbursement policy that may have violated IRS rules. Subpoenas have been issued to Ford, his wife, and consultant Kenston Griffin for text messages and emails exchanged between October 2023 and March 2025. The Florida AG has also requested contracts between JTA and Ford’s wife, as well as documentation on travel expenses for employees earning more than $150,000.
DART’s response
When asked about the ongoing probe, Board Chair Randall Bryant emphasized that the board’s decision was made based on the information available at the time and remains unchanged. “I don’t even want to use this forum as an opportunity to get into a battle with the attorney general of Florida, but we have made our decision based upon what we knew at the time and what we know now,” Bryant said. “There is no belief on the board to make a change in that decision. We have affirmed Nathaniel Ford as our CEO, and we continue to do that.”
Ford is slated to assume his DART duties on October 26, with a salary that exceeds those of other prominent Dallas city leaders. According to documents obtained by FOX 4, Ford will retain his role at JTA until January 8, 2027, meaning he will hold both positions concurrently for a brief transition period.
Local impact and next steps
DART officials highlighted that the agency’s primary focus remains on delivering reliable transit service to Dallas residents. The board noted that the investigation into JTA does not affect DART’s operations or its strategic plans for expanding service and improving infrastructure.
Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee member Rory Diamond, who described the JTA situation as a “transportation nightmare,” said Ford has agreed to provide voluntary testimony at an upcoming council meeting in Jacksonville.
JTA has been ordered to submit documentation related to the Florida AG’s investigation by October 30. The agency has also discontinued its NAVI autonomous taxi program, a project that Ford championed during his tenure.
Community perspective
Local transit riders and community leaders expressed a mix of curiosity and confidence. While some residents voiced concerns about the investigation, many emphasized the importance of stable leadership for DART’s ongoing projects, including the expansion of light‑rail lines and bus rapid‑transit corridors that serve neighborhoods across the city.
As DART prepares for the leadership transition, the board’s public affirmation of Ford underscores its commitment to continuity and to advancing Dallas’s transportation goals despite external scrutiny of the new CEO’s prior employment.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
