The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) board selected Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. to lead the agency as its next President/CEO. 

From train operator to CEO, Ford’s transit career includes working at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York, as well as previous CEO roles at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) in California, and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) in Georgia.

Since 2012, Ford has served as the CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA).

“Mr. Ford brings decades of executive leadership in public transportation, a proven record of organizational transformation, and a deep understanding that transit is about much more than buses and trains,” said DART Board Chair Randall Bryant. “Today, we are turning the page. The board has made its decision, and now it’s time to get back to what matters most, serving the people of North Texas.” 

Ford’s Industry Impact

Under Ford's leadership, the JTA achieved several major milestones that elevated Jacksonville's profile as a leader in public transportation innovation. The agency developed the First Coast Flyer Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, now the largest BRT network in the Southeast, and constructed the award-winning Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, a multimodal mobility hub.

During his tenure, the JTA also secured more than $400 million in federal discretionary grants and helped win approval of a local option gas tax extension expected to generate $1 billion for regional infrastructure.

The agency completed its 27-project JTAMobilityWorks road-building and complete streets program two years ahead of schedule. It implemented the Route Optimization Initiative, the first comprehensive redesign of its transit network in 34 years.

Ford also oversaw the expansion of JTA's regional service across Baker, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau counties, including the restoration of the St. Johns River Ferry.

Under his leadership, the agency also launched the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C), the nation's first autonomous vehicle service deployed as part of a public transit system. It attracted HOLON's first U.S. autonomous vehicle manufacturing facility — a $200 million investment projected to generate $87 million annually for Florida's economy.

Celebrated as an innovator in the industry, Ford has also been recognized with numerous awards, honors, appointments, and distinctions including:

• Chair - Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
• Chair – American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
• Policy Board National Ambassador (USA) – Union Internationale des Transports Publics (UITP). 
• 2020 – Outstanding Public Transportation Manager from APTA.
• 2016 – White House Champion of Change in Transportation by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
• 2016 – JTA named as “Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award” recipient by APTA.