People news from DART, NTSB, Omaha Track, Transdev, Miner and VRE

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has terminated President and CEO Nadine Lee following unsuccessful discussions on a separation agreement. The agency appointed Gene Gamez acting CEO and president. Gamez currently is DART's general counsel and has served the transit agency for over 26 years. In March, Lee had requested to not extend her contract, which was set to end on Sept. 30, according to a DART press release. 

National Transportation Safety Board member Michael Graham has been designated by President Donald Trump to serve as vice chairman for a three-year term. Graham was sworn in as a board member in January 2020 after being appointed by Trump during his first presidential term. Prior to joining the board, he served as director of flight operations safety, security and standardization at Textron Aviation. 

Omaha Track Inc. has appointed Jay Gowan president. He has over 30 years of rail industry and leadership experience. Gowan will "guide [Omaha Track] into a new chapter of success," according to a company press release. He previously was a senior vice president at RailWorks Corp., according to Gowan's LinkedIn profile.

Transdev U.S. has named Brian Costello vice president of finance. Costello has more than 20 years of financial planning and strategic business leadership experience. Most recently, he was senior director of accounting at Mark Anthony Services Inc. Costello previously held various roles with Diageo, Sears Holding, Alberto Culver and Motorola.

Miner Enterprises Inc. has hired Mike Downey as general sales manager. He has over 30 years of experience in commercial, operational and strategic experience in the North American rail industry. Downey previously held senior sales and marketing roles with major rail car lessors, Class Is, short lines and passenger railroads. Miner has also hired Michael List as the company's newest field service representative. List has two decades of experience in the railroad industry, having started his career as a welder with FreightCar America.

The Virginia Railway Express board of operations has elected Andrea Bailey the operations board chair for 2026. Bailey is a Prince William County Supervisor. In her role, she will oversee the capital projects slated for the year, including station improvements and facility expansion projects that are underway. The board also elected Fairfax County Supervisor Dan Storck as vice chair; Spotsylvania Supervisor Lori Hayes as secretary; and City of Fredericksburg Councilwoman Jannan Holmes as treasurer.