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Nat Ford takes helm of Dallas transit agency as Jacksonville JTA faces financial strain
Former Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford began leading Dallas Area Rapid Transit on Monday. He said he would focus on Dallas’ public transportation priorities, after missing a Jacksonville City Council finance hearing because of his transition to the new job.
Former Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford began his first official day as president and CEO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, opening a new chapter in his transit career as the Jacksonville authority faces financial instability.
Ford was welcomed at a morning news conference in Dallas. He said he would draw on his experience in Jacksonville while working to advance what he called the community’s “unique dreams” for public transportation.
“I intend to remain laser-focused on developing and executing on those priorities without distraction,” Ford said.
Ford did not attend a Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee hearing scheduled for Friday, saying the start of his Dallas role prevented him from being there. The hearing took place as the JTA grappled with financial strain, though the available details do not specify what questions or matters the committee was considering.
Ford’s departure shifts leadership of the Jacksonville agency while putting him in charge of Dallas Area Rapid Transit, the region’s public transportation system. He did not outline specific Dallas initiatives at the news conference.