Media Relations Contact:
Morgan Lyons

June 5, 2001

New leadership for DART diversity program

DART Names New VP, Asst. VP For Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department

DART has selected two seasoned professionals in the area of governmental and business minority affairs to assume key leadership roles in the agency. Gloria Dixon, who becomes vice president, Department of Diversity and Economic Opportunity (DEO), and Frank Cortez, new assistant vice president, Business Development in the DEO, are responsible for assuring that the agency advances its goals of broader diversity in the DART employee workforce and in contracting for services and materials.

"We are very fortunate to obtain such highly qualified and experienced personnel for these two vital positions," said Roger Snoble, president/executive director. "I am confident our new leadership team will advance DART's improving record in these areas."

Dixon was previously with the Federal Transit Administration, serving as Team Leader for Civil Rights, National Responsibility. She handled the management and evaluation of all federal transit grant recipients' provision of transit service, employment practices and contracting with minority and women business owners.

Prior to joining the FTA in 1983, Dixon spent four years with the Federal Highway Administration as Equal Employment Officer, Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska).
"Since I've been with the FTA, I've seen that DART is a standout agency, and the progress it has made is very exciting," she said. "Roger Snoble and I have agreed that DART can reach out to the minority communities even more, and I'm looking forward to working toward that goal."

During her tenure at the FTA, Dixon won the agency's Award for Supervisory Excellence (2000), the Director's Special Award (2000) and the Distinguished Award for Performance (1999).

Frank Cortez joins DART following a distinguished career in Hispanic chambers of commerce in Victoria and Dallas. He was named executive director of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GDHCC) in 1991, leading it to become the nation's premier Hispanic chamber of commerce.

Under Cortez, the GDHCC was recognized by the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce and by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as the Best Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in the State of Texas, in the Five-State Region, and in the U.S. for 1998, 1997 and 1993.

Since arriving in Dallas, Cortez has been deeply involved in assuring that minority businesses in the Greater Dallas area have the best possible opportunities for obtaining procurement and contract opportunities with the City of Dallas, DART, D/FW Airport, the State of Texas and other area agencies.

"I've already had the pleasure of working with DART to open more opportunities to the minority communities here, and as a result, I have the highest respect for the agency," Cortez said. "As our minority community continues to expand, I'm excited about being able to help DART meet its minority goals."

Dr. Warren Morgan, who passed away in January, previously led DART's DEO department. "We were very happy with Dr. Morgan's contributions to DART, but we know the dynamic new leadership in place will take us to the next level," Snoble said.

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