Dallas Area Rapid Transit has hired two executives: Nicole Fontayne joins DART as its chief information officer, and Joseph Costello as the new vice president of finance.
Fontayne brings to DART more than 14 years of experience in senior positions at the city of Detroit and Broward County, Fla. Fontayne oversees management information systems, intelligent transportation systems, networks and telecommunications. She also is responsible for developing and implementing information technology and intelligent transportation systems that support the agency's strategic goals.
Before joining DART, Fontayne was an engagement manager with Dallas-based Everest Group, a global management consulting firm, where she directed complex projects for major companies.
Fontayne has a Master of Public Administration degree from Nova Southeastern University and a B.A. in political science from Roosevelt University. She has completed additional executive education courses at Harvard University.
As the vice president of finance, Costello supervises the agency's budget process, financial planning, debt financing and management, treasury, funds management, revenue administration and collection, grants management, accounting and business process re-engineering.
Before arriving at DART, Costello was executive director of the Regional Transportation Authority in Chicago; he also previously served as that organization's chief financial officer for 16 years.
Costello holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a B.S. in accounting from the University of Illinois.
