People news from DART, Georgia Ports, Metro Transit and GCRTA

Dallas Area Rapid Transit President and CEO Nadine Lee informed the agency's board on March 25 that she will not seek an extension of her current contract, which expires in September. Lee has served as DART's top executive since July 2021. Her decision to move on came after careful reflection on the agency's progress and path forward, she said in a DART press release. “It has been the honor of my career to lead this extraordinary organization and to work alongside more than 3,800 dedicated employees who move North Texas forward every day,” said Lee. “Together, we navigated one of the most challenging periods in transit history and emerged stronger, more focused, and better positioned to serve our growing region.” Additional details about a leadership transition plan, including the appointment of an interim CEO, will be announced in the coming weeks, DART officials said.

Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) announced the appointment of Bryan Blalock as president of Gateway Terminals Savannah, effective April 13. Blalock will succeed Kevin Price, who will transition to the GPA leadership team on July 1 as its newly announced president. Blalock joins Gateway Terminals from CMC where he was the chief operating officer. He has over three decades of experience in the port terminal industry. "The Port of Savannah is one of the fastest growing ports in the country and I’m looking forward to helping our customers win more business by delivering best-in-class operations,” Blalock said in a press release.

The Metropolitan Council has appointed Joseph Dotseth as the permanent chief of police for the Twin Cities' Metro Transit Police Department. Dotseth has nearly 25 years of law enforcement service, all with the Metro Transit Police Department, according to a Metropolitan Council press release. He has served in nearly every capacity the department offers, including patrol officer, field training officer, patrol sergeant and internal affairs investigator. Dotseth will oversee one of the nation’s largest transit police operations. Department officers respond to and investigate all crimes reported on buses, light rail, commuter trains, facilities and rights-of-way throughout an eight-county, 60-plus city jurisdiction. 

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) announced the reappointments of Bay Village Mayor Paul Koomar as president and Emily Garr Pacetti as vice president of GCRTA's board. The reappointments follow board elections held March 24. Koomer joined GCRTA's board in March 2021. He also served as the board's VP from September 2023 to March 2024, until elected president in March 2024. Pacetti is a nonprofit and philanthropic executive who joined GCRTA's board in January 2024. She was first elected as the board's VP in October 2025.