Fort Worth's The T names Ballard president, CEO

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) today named Paul Ballard president and chief executive officer, effective April 14.

Ballard is CEO of the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and the Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee. He was appointed MTA’s CEO in 2002.

He has served as chief executive or general manager of multiple transit systems. Ballard has also been president of two national transit management firms and operated or consulted on transit operations in 38 U.S. cities in 19 states, The T officials said in a press release.

In addition, he has led the new Music City Star commuter train through critical milestones with federal and local operating funds, compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Railroad Administration regulations, and necessary negotiations.

"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," said The T Chairman Scott Mahaffey.