On Wednesday, the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) board of directors officially began the process of searching for a new GM, following the resignation of Dorothy Dugger.

After spending nearly 19 years at BART, including the last four years as the GM and 13 years as deputy GM, Dugger’s last day on the job will be Friday, April 22.

"It has been a challenging, exciting and professionally rewarding experience to lead a great organization that provides a vitally important service to the people of the Bay Area every day," Dugger said. "I am extremely proud of all that we have achieved and BART’s strong record of accomplishment. This record of achievement was possible with the outstanding support of the entire organization. I want to thank BART’s talented and dedicated employees for their exemplary work during these past years."

"On behalf of the BART board, I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to Dorothy for her tireless work and lifelong dedication to public service," BART Board President Bob Franklin said.

The board appointed Dugger to the agency’s top spot on August 23, 2007 — making her the agency’s eighth general manager and its first female to lead the agency.

"Under Dorothy’s professional and dedicated leadership, BART has achieved a proud record of success on many fronts," BART Director Joel Keller said. "We have weathered the worst economic period in our history without layoffs or a reduction in core service, due in part to historic changes negotiated in our last labor contract; our $1.2 billion earthquake safety program is on schedule and under budget; service expansions are underway in three important transportation corridors; and the first phase of replacement of BART’s fleet of train cars is moving forward."

Dugger and the BART board of directors reached a mutual agreement, whereby BART will pay her $958,000 and she would resign effective April 22, 2011. The settlement is comprised of approximately $600,000, the cost to BART of Dugger’s severance package had she been terminated; and $350,000 to ensure a smooth transition and to avoid any litigation between the parties.