NTTA Executive Director resigns, board names Jerry Hiebert as Interim Executive Director

“It has been a remarkable two years at the Authority as we built a record of achieving very positive results,” said Mr. Rutter. “I am fortunate to have had the privilege of heading an industry-leading team of exceptionally creative, dedicated and intelligent professionals at the NTTA who are delivering customer-focused services that add value for North Texans, expanding mobility choices by building and planning much-needed infrastructure, and partnering with community leaders to support regionally-directed innovative project delivery and financing alternatives,” continued Rutter.

“Allan has overseen the Authority during a critical time in our history,” said NTTA Chairman Paul N. Wageman. “The NTTA continues to build broad regional support, and has a leadership team focused on achieving its strategic objectives, as well as the financial strength to put its assets to work in enhancing mobility for North Texans,” said Wageman. “The NTTA’s Board of Directors appreciates Allan’s service to the NTTA during this period.”

Wageman noted that Hiebert’s willingness to step in as Interim Executive Director during this interim period ensures that the NTTA’s aggressive project schedules will be maintained and the effective delivery of customer services will continue. “Jerry Hiebert ably led the Authority for over six years and has a demonstrated track record in delivering mobility projects within the region, as evidenced by the rapid construction and on-time opening of four segments of the President George Bush Turnpike during his previous tenure. Further, Hiebert has remained active in the toll industry since he retired from the NTTA two years ago. With Jerry leading the NTTA, the Board is confident that we won’t miss a beat until a permanent executive director is selected.”

One of Hiebert’s first actions will be to fill the deputy executive director position which became open when Matt Dominy resigned effective February 9, 2007 in order to pursue other career opportunities. Hiebert wasted no time in announcing that he intends to select Rick Herrington, another NTTA veteran, to serve as the Interim Deputy Executive Director on an interim basis. Herrington previously spent over six years at the NTTA where he rose to the position of Assistant Executive Director.

Hiebert and Herrington are employed by HNTB Corporation, a major consultant to the NTTA. They will resign from HNTB to serve in these interim positions.

The transition is further aided by the solid and long-tenured staff in place at the NTTA. “Jerry Hiebert and Rick Herrington step into their roles backed by an impressive team of department heads and other managers. We do not anticipate any changes in the NTTA’s management structure, which will remain in place to fully support Jerry’s and Rick’s efforts,” Wageman observed. Most of the NTTA’s management team worked with Hiebert and Herrington during their previous tenure at the NTTA. Rutter echoed the view that the NTTA is on solid footing. “The Board has invested in leadership development for the NTTA’s top staff members and previously secured long-term contracts for the Authority’s team of major consultants and advisors. We are well-poised for this transition.”

Other developments point to continued success for the Authority. “I’m proud to have helped the NTTA Board adopt a five-year strategic plan to guide the Authority into the future,” said Rutter. “The Authority is strongly positioned to partner with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to bring turnpike projects to the region through the Protocol Agreement signed by our organizations last year,” said Rutter. “We are working diligently with TxDOT and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to increase mobility and support economic growth through innovative transportation solutions long into the future,” continued Rutter.

“Allan has worked with the Board to build the financial and organizational capacity of the NTTA,” said Wageman. “We have managed our resources wisely, made sound investments in operations and maintenance, and implemented strong financial metrics. By utilizing new financial tools, along with our well-established project cost management skills, we expect to deliver new projects at a more rapid rate than ever before. We are committed to fulfilling the Protocol Agreement with our partners, TxDOT and NCTCOG, to deliver critical infrastructure to the region,” Wageman concluded.

During his tenure, Mr. Rutter oversaw numerous initiatives that have enhanced mobility in the region including breaking ground on Phase III of the Dallas North Tollway (from SH 121 to US 380) and on the Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge; opened the Superconnector on the President George Bush Turnpike months ahead of schedule; completed Interlocal Agreements and advanced agreements with TxDOT to lead to right of way acquisition on the Eastern Extension of the President George Bush Turnpike to IH 30; and completed a Corridor Master Plan and began engineering and landscape design on the Southwest Parkway. As these projects advance, within the next five years, the NTTA should have a significant facility in each of the NTTA’s founding four counties.

Mr. Rutter brought over 20 years of transportation experience to the NTTA. He came to the Authority after serving three years as Administrator, the Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Railroad Administration, reporting to U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, having been nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the United States Senate. Mr. Rutter also served as Transportation Policy Director for Governors George W. Bush and Rick Perry in Austin, Texas. He also served as Deputy Executive Director of the Texas High-Speed Rail Authority, as Senior Budget Analyst for Texas Governors William Clements and Mark White, and as Assistant Committee Clerk for the Texas House Committee on Transportation. Mr. Rutter holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.