Metro Chief of Staff Nadine Lee hired as next President and CEO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

Dallas Area Rapid Transit, known as DART, on Tuesday announced the hiring of LA Metro Chief of Staff Nadine Lee as their agency’s next President and Chief Executive Officer.

Here is the news release from DART, which runs bus service, light rail, commuter rail and paratransit for Dallas, the nation’s ninth most populous city, and 12 surrounding cities in North Texas.

Nadine began at LA Metro in early 2016 as the Deputy Chief Innovation Officer and was promoted to Chief of Staff in 2018. In both roles, Nadine launched innovative concepts aimed at improving Metro’s transit service.

Most recently, Nadine oversaw the Better Bus Initiative, a five-year, $2.1-billion plan to address racial inequities by making bus trips quicker, more reliable and more comfortable — especially for those who depend on Metro the most. Nadine also led the development of Vision 2028, Metro’s 10-year strategic plan to increase prosperity for L.A. County through improved mobility.

“I appreciate Nadine’s dedication, creativity, and commitment to excellence during her years here at LA Metro, and for building a strong Chief of Staff role foundation,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “Nadine is the sixth CEO/Executive Director in the last six years to be selected from LA Metro to lead a transportation organization. It is evident that our organizational brand, reputation, and thought leadership is in high demand in the transportation industry. Please join me in wishing Nadine well and continued success.”

Nadine has been a project manager on numerous transit and infrastructure projects throughout the United States. She is a registered Professional Engineer in Kansas and Colorado and earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Nadine is also a member of the Federal Transit Administration’s Transit Research Advisory Committee and an active and current Member of the Leadership APTA Committee.

Nadine’s last day at Metro will be May 28. Elba Higueros will assume the duties of Acting, Chief of Staff, beginning June 1.

1 reply

  1. I had the pleasure of working with Nadine Lee during her tenure in OEI. She is by far one of the best, most capable, and positive individuals I have ever encountered in my career, as well as one of the best mentors anyone could imagine. Our loss is definitely Dallas’ gain, and I can’t wait to read about all the progress she is sure to make at DART. This is a role she absolutely deserves, and a long time coming.