Dallas Area Rapid Transit CEO Nadine Lee is stepping down after leading the agency for four years.
Lee told the DART board of directors about her resignation during a meeting Tuesday evening. The board unanimously approved the separation agreement.
Lee told 四虎影院 in an interview Wednesday morning that she came to DART in 2021 during a transformational period.
"As I look back at what we have accomplished, we have established a ... foundation in the operation to really be able to, you know, sort of fortify the work that DART does on a daily basis," Lee said.
She noted that beyond the more visible milestones, like the new Silver Line opening, she oversaw the restructuring of the agency's bus network and system modernization.
"When we talk about accomplishments, again, it's not always the shiny new objects that are the most impressive," she said. "Understanding that we have really fortified DART's foundation and set DART up for success in the future, I feel good about that because the next CEO can take it to the next level."
Lee's resignation follows several months of tumultuous negotiations with member cities that wanted to withdraw from DART.
鈥淣adine stepped into this role at a very challenging moment for the transit industry and helped guide DART through recovery while setting a clear strategic direction for the future,鈥� DART board chair Randall Bryant said in a written statement. He said the process of finding her replacement "will begin immediately."
Michael Morris, regional transportation director at the North Central Texas Council of Governments, called Lee a "dedicated public servant."
"[She] advocated for those individuals that had not yet received service on the DART system, supported the current users of DART, and best met the conflicting demands of both users and other funding needs," Morris said in a statement. "DART is currently whole, and it is up to all of us to develop a regional transit system and a collegial partnership to deliver the transportation needs of 12 million residents by 2050.鈥�
Lee said she's still working out the details of her final day with DART before her contract ends in September. In the meantime, she's looking forward to taking some time off.
"I will reintroduce myself to my husband because he probably doesn't get to see me as much as he'd like to," she said. "And, you know, think about what I want to do because I have a lot of options."
四虎影院 intern Avery Escamilla-Wendell contributed reporting to this story.
Pablo Arauz Pe帽a is 四虎影院鈥檚 growth and infrastructure reporter. Got a tip? Email Pablo at parauzpena@kera.org.
四虎影院 is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider . Thank you.
