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DART’s new chief begins Dallas post as Florida probes spending at his former agency
Nathaniel Ford starts as Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s president and CEO while Florida’s attorney general investigates spending during his leadership of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Ford has not been charged, and DART’s board says it stands by its hiring decision.
Nathaniel Ford begins his first official day as president and CEO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit on Monday, Oct. 26, even as Florida authorities investigate spending at the Jacksonville transportation agency he previously led.
Florida’s attorney general opened a criminal investigation into the Jacksonville Transportation Authority in early October. The inquiry is examining expenses and policies from Ford’s time as CEO, including a tuition-reimbursement program and spending on massages, murals, hotel stays and a nearly $10,000 trip to Spain. Ford has not been charged with a crime.
A subpoena seeks Ford’s Florida employment contract, agreements between the agency and Ford’s wife, travel records and a list of employees earning more than $150,000 a year. Investigators also requested emails and text messages involving Ford, his wife, a consultant and other executives from October 2023 through March 2025, as well as communications about the departure of Jacksonville agency accounting staff. The subpoena names Ford and Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. The agency has until Oct. 30 to provide the requested records.
The investigation comes as the Jacksonville authority faces a budget shortfall of nearly $40 million that has led to route reductions and staffing cuts. Records identified by former board member Megan Hayward show about $171,000 in hotel spending over roughly 18 months, including stays in London, Madrid and Valencia.
Ford is scheduled to remain in his former role through Jan. 8, 2027, while also serving as DART chief. His annual DART salary will be $515,000. He has agreed to testify voluntarily at a Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee meeting.
DART board leaders defended the hiring during a Dallas City Council Transportation Committee meeting last Monday. Board Chair Randall Bryant said the board remains confident in its choice, adding that it made its decision based on what it knew then and what it knows now. Interim CEO David Leninger also answered questions at the meeting.
DART officials planned to formally welcome Ford at a Monday morning news conference. The leadership change comes as the region’s transit agency serves Dallas and surrounding communities, where service decisions affect residents’ access to work, school and other daily needs.