DCTA board appoints new president

Written by jrood

Jim Cline was recently selected as the new president of the Denton County Transportation Authority, local media report. Cline will begin his new position on March 1. Denton County is part of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex.

"As president, I am responsible for the entire staff
and I report to the board of directors,
" Cline said. "I think my top priorities are to make
sure the train is in operation and ensure that we maintain good bus service to
our customers.
"

Cline said his first day
on the job would consist of meeting with the staff and getting to know them
better. He said he also wants to ensure that he understands the issues facing
the project.

Cline brings 20 years of
municipal experience in transportation to DCTA. From 1990 to 1998 he worked for
the city of Beaumont in its municipal transit and traffic operations. After
leaving that position, he worked for the city of Irving. In that position he
was responsible for dealing with DART projects, including the DART orange line.
His oversaw the alignment, funding and resolution of the key design of the
orange line, construction and right-of-way.

In his position with
Irving, Cline also oversaw the city’s water utilities, solid waste,
transportation, engineering and streets functions. He is a registered
Professional Engineer in Texas. He also worked closely with the Trinity Railway
Express and the Federal Railroad Administration on crossing related issues
within Irving.

Clines
experience extends beyond the municipal level to the state and regional level.
He has served on the boards of the Upper Trinity Regional Water District and
the Surface Transportation Technical Committee.

"Jim Cline is a well regarded and respected
transportation leader in North Texas. His involvement in numerous highway,
transit and public works projects throughout the area illustrates his
commitment to improving the quality of life for those he serves," said Charles
Emery, DCTA chairman of the board.
"His experience and leadership style are a perfect
match for our growing agency."

Cline is currently a
lieutenant colonel and commands the 386th Engineer Battalion. He is a 25-year
veteran of the Texas Army National Guard. He was a distinguished military
graduate, graduating Cum Laude from Texas A&M University, where he also
received his master
s degree in civil engineering.

Cline and his wife Nancy
live in north Carrollton. He said his new position is a great professional
opportunity.

Cline replaces Jim Witt,
who has served the authority in an interim capacity since early 2009. Under
Witt
s leadership over the past year, the authority has
advanced A-train construction, expanded bus service, progressed design on a new
bus operations and maintenance facility in Denton. Witt was also part of DCTA’s
record transit ridership, exceeding two million annual passengers.

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