A. Lee Graham
Reporter
Paul J. Ballard has been named president and CEO of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T), effective April 14.
Ballard, CEO of the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee., succeeds Dick Ruddell, who resigned from The T late last year.
“This is the executive we want to lead The T at this point in time,” said T Board Chairman Scott Mahaffey in a news release.
“His experience will be valuable to us as we navigate the next few years. Particularly in the area of commuter rail and the FTA’s New Starts process, Paul’s leadership is something that we will count on for our TEX Rail project,” Mahaffey said.
Ballard has served as chief executive or general manager of multiple transit systems. He also has served as president of two national transit management firms and operated or consulted on transit operations in 38 U.S. cities in 19 states.
Ballard’s appointment follows the evaluation and interviews of final candidates by an executive search committee comprising T board members and business and community leaders in Tarrant County. Candidates were recruited and recommended by a national search firm based on their leadership experience in public transportation, emphasizing passenger rail.
“I am looking forward to working with the Fort Worth transportation board, management team, staff and city officials to implement the T’s transit goals. I will enjoy participating in the significant changes underway such as the TEX Rail project,” Ballard said.
Ballard will fill the top position at The T that has been filled on an interim basis by Anthony Johnson, chief operating officer.