DART's Thomas named COMTO exec. of the year

Gary Thomas, president/executive director for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) received the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) 2009 Executive of the Year Award. COMTO officials cited his leadership in the hiring and advancement of minorities and the steady growth of DART contract opportunities for emerging and historically underutilized businesses.

Thomas has been president/executive director of DART since August 2001.

Currently, minorities represent 78 percent of DART's workforce, including 40 percent of executives, 47 percent of managers, 59 percent of professionals, 63 percent of police officers, and 92 percent of operators and servicers. DART has also awarded more than $680 million in contracts to minority businesses since 2004, including the light rail expansion where more than 30 percent of all contracts have been awarded to some 113 minority owned firms.

The Annual COMTO Award Recognition Program was held July 14 in Dallas as part of the 38th national conference.