Media Relations Contact:
Morgan Lyons
Mark A. Ball

July 21, 2009

DART's Thomas Named COMTO 2009 Executive of the Year

Gary Thomas, President/Executive Director for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), has received the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) 2009 "Executive of the Year" Award. COMTO officials cited his leadership in the hiring and advancement of minorities, and the steady growth of DART contract opportunities for emerging and historically underutilized businesses.

The Annual COMTO Award Recognition Program was held July 14 in Dallas as part of the 38th national conference.

Thomas has been president/executive director of DART since August 2001.

Currently, minorities represent 78% of DART's workforce, including 40% of executives, 47% of managers, 59% of professionals, 63% of police officers and 92% of operators and servicers. DART has also awarded more than $680 million in contracts to minority businesses since 2004 including the light rail expansion where more than 30% of all contracts have been awarded to some 113 minority owned firms.

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