Archives > News Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Resigning DCTA president honored at reception
BY DAN EAKIN, Staff Writer
About 125 area residents came to the Lewisville Municipal Annex Thursday afternoon to express their gratitude to John Hedrick, who has resigned after having served four years as president of the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA).
The crowd attending the reception included city officials from Lewisville, Highland Village and Denton, as well as several Denton County officials. U.S. Congressman Michael Burgess and State Sen. Chris Harris also sent letters to Hedrick, thanking him for his years of service.
Hedrick was showered with gifts at the reception.
Also, DCTA consultants presented Hedrick with a slice of the rail which they had chromed with a plaque attached honoring him for his service. Wayne Friesner of DART, Dick Ruddell of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority and Dorothy Palumbo of Highland Village also presented gifts to Hedrick.
Several people offered words of praise for Hedrick at the reception.
Scott Neely, DCTA executive vice president of operations, said, “John’s passion and enthusiasm for transit will be greatly missed by the DCTA board of directors and staff. We appreciate all that he has accomplished during his tenure for the agency and for this region.”
Charles Emery, chairman of the DCTA board of directors, said, “We greatly appreciate John’s efforts of implementing the DCTA service plan over the past four and a half years. During his tenure, our agency has grown, our passenger counts have doubled and our rail program has progressed toward construction. He is a true supporter of mobility solutions in this region and has put forth great effort in building this agency from the ground up.”
Burgess sent a U.S. flag which had been flown over the U.S. capitol and a letter via Eric With, his district director.
“Please allow me to take this opportunity to offer my appreciation for your hard work with the DCTA,” Burgess wrote to Hedrick. “Under your leadership, DCTA has seen the implementation of the bus components of their service plan, and a commitment to the authority’s Enhanced Local Assistance Program, which gave funds back to local cities for mobility improvements. And, of course, we all look forward to the beginning of DCTA’s rail service in 2010.
“During your tenure, bus ridership grew from 1.3 million passengers in 2005 to 2 million annual passengers last year. I also want to thank you for the countless times you have offered your knowledge and resources to me and my staff.”
Earlier this month, Hedrick announced plans to retire, effective Feb. 15.
After leading the Denton County Transportation Authority for more than four years as president,
Hedrick, who has decided to pursue other career opportunities, joined DCTA in May 2004. As DCTA president, his primary task was implementation of the service plan, the key component of which is the A-train, a 21-mile rail line to connect Denton with DART’s Northwest Line at Carrollton.
Under his leadership, DCTA implemented the bus components of the service plan; committed more than $13 million to the authority’s Enhanced Local Assistance Program and advanced design of the A-train, with construction slated to begin in March
Emery said. “We will continue to build on our past successes with the same level of intensity as we prepare for the launch of the A-train service. Because of John’s hard work and the commitment of our board and staff, DCTA is well-positioned as a transportation leader in this region.”
Emery stressed that Scott Neeley, executive vice president of rail development, will continue to direct the design and construction efforts of the A-train.
“DCTA is still on target to begin rail service in December 2010. Scott continues to lead that effort,” Emery said.
Hedrick was actively involved in improving mobility choices throughout the region. He served on the boards of the Texas Transit Association and the North Texas Clean Air Coalition. Hedrick was active in the Southwest Transit Association, the Tarrant Regional Transportation Council, the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition, and local chambers of commerce.
In 2006, The North Texas Commission (NTC) awarded its Eighth Annual Transportation Excellence Award in Mobility (TEAM) to the DCTA for the agency’s efforts to improve regional mobility. In 2007, Hedrick received the General Manager of the Year Award from the Texas Transit Association.
Hedrick said, “Helping to build DCTA from a grass-roots organization to a fully staffed transit authority has been a personal and professional pleasure. While I am looking forward to the next chapter in my career, I am confident that DCTA will continue to grow and be a leader in providing mobility solutions for Denton County and the north Texas region.”
Hedrick came to DCTA from VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio where he served as director of capital and business development and as capital facilities coordinator. Before joining VIA’s management team, he was executive director of the West Virginia State Rail Authority (WVSRA)—the rail division of the West Virginia Department of Transportation—where he directed statewide rail planning, coordinated policy and funding issues with West Virginia’s legislators and congressional delegation, and managed the state owned and operated South Branch Valley Railroad.
Previously, Hedrick served as executive director of the Catskill Rail Committee in upstate New York, and in operating management positions with the Southern Railway Company.
The DCTA board of directors is now in the process of seeking a replacement for Hedrick.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News Update «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
