Statement from Keep DART in Plano on DART’s Selection of Nathaniel Ford as CEO

Keep DART in Plano appreciates that DART has completed its search process, and we recognize the importance of stable leadership at an agency facing real challenges, including ongoing tension between DART and the suburban cities it serves.

That said, we have serious concerns about this choice.

Mr. Ford’s record shows a consistent pattern across three transit agencies over two decades: strong initial results, followed by growing questions about spending oversight, and an early exit for the next opportunity before those questions were resolved. This happened at MARTA in Atlanta. It happened again at SFMTA in San Francisco. And it appears to be happening once more at JTA in Jacksonville, where cost overruns and unanswered questions about executive travel have accompanied his departure.

DART doesn’t need another career transit executive who treats the CEO seat as a stop on the way to the next city. We need a leader who will commit to this region, build real trust with Plano and the other suburban cities, and stay long enough to see hard decisions through.

We respectfully ask that DART’s board reconsider and reopen the search for a CEO who will make that commitment.

Sources:

• SF Weekly, “Muni Chief’s ‘Quiet Time’” (2007): https://www.sfweekly.com/archives/muni-chiefs-quiet-time/article_f5030a77-758d-5bfc-92e0-f13d7dcac5b3.html

• Streetsblog SF, “Can Nat Ford Keep His Job as SFMTA Executive Director?” (2011): https://sf.streetsblog.org/2011/03/17/can-nat-ford-keep-his-job-as-sfmta-executive-director

• Action News Jax, “JTA CEO Nat Ford chosen to become next CEO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit” (2026): https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/jta-ceo-nat-ford-chosen-become-next-ceo-dallas-area-rapid-transit/J3DNWMILZVH6NIYI562NFK2UJI/

• Action News Jax, “Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO faces scrutiny over spending practices” (2024): https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/jacksonville-transportation-authority-ceo-faces-scrutiny-over-spending-practices-amid-budget-review/M4ZEGSA3IZCA5N6JGFWCS6ZNFY/

Keep DART in Plano (KDIP) is a resident-led 501(c)(4) advocacy organization committed to protecting and strengthening public transportation in Plano and across North Texas. Founded in 2025, KDIP works to educate the public, promote transparency in local government, and advocate for reliable, accessible, and financially responsible transit that supports residents, workers, businesses, and the region’s long-term economic growth. Through community engagement and public policy advocacy, KDIP champions a connected transportation network that benefits everyone. Learn more at KeepDARTinPlano.org.