Texas’ Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) announced the arrival of four key leaders for the agency, filling important positions as the agency remains on track toward a successful 2023 and beyond.

Maurice Bell joined the organization as COO, and Sherrelle Evans-Jones is now on board as CFO. In addition, DCTA has brought on Bracey Goodwin IV as director, safety and compliance, as well as David Magaña to serve as director, marketing and communications.

“It’s exciting that we have retained talented, bright, and experienced leaders for our team, each of whom bring a wide variety of expertise that will keep DCTA moving forward,” said Paul Cristina, CEO of DCTA. “With these key leaders now in place, we can better focus our organization on the future and on improving mobility solutions for Denton County residents.”

As COO, Bell will guide the DCTA vehicle fleet and operations, including strategic development, planning, and operational logistics. Bell has built a 30-year track record in managing and guiding transit operations, most recently providing consulting services for transit agencies in Louisville, Ky.; Columbia, S.C.; and Indianapolis. He also served as COO for the Port Authority of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, as well as a two-year term as VP, mobility solutions, with Keolis North America dedicated to microtransit and autonomous shuttle design and logistics. Bell also served five years as asst. VP, bus operations, at Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

Evans-Jones is directing all financial activities for the agency, among them accounting, financial reporting, debt and treasury management, risk, and budgeting. She brings a wealth of financial experience to DCTA, including six years as the finance director for the City of Farmers Branch, Texas, and prior CFO roles in 20 years of experience with not-for-profit, education, public sector, and corporate accounting.

Goodwin IV joined DCTA in October 2022 as the director, safety and compliance, a newly created position at the agency. In that role, Goodwin is responsible for ensuring federal requirements and DCTA’s own standards for safety and compliance are met and exceeded. He brings nearly a decade of safety and risk management expertise to DCTA, including roles with Boardwalk Paving & Construction, the Dallas Independent School District, and the Central Ohio Transit Authority.

Magaña joined DCTA in November of 2022 as director, marketing and communications, where he leads the agency’s external and internal communications, digital and social media, marketing and advertising, content creation, and brand development. He brings 20 years of public sector communications experience, including 15 years at Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport where he served as the external communications lead, in addition to founding and directing DFW’s social media program. Magaña also has 15 years in broadcast journalism as a television newscast producer and in newsroom management.