Presutti to leave DART, agency to begin search for new CEO
Elizabeth Presutti, CEO of the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, will step down from the organization at the end of the year, the agency announced today.
According to a news release, Presutti, who has served as DART CEO for 11 years, is leaving to join her husband, who accepted a position at Collins Aerospace at its new manufacturing facility in Monroe, N.C., near Charlotte.
In the release, Presutti said making the change has been a difficult decision for her and her husband.
“I never could have imagined all that we would accomplish when I first moved to Des Moines 14 years ago and I’m grateful to have been part of leading an amazing team who is committed to providing public transit service to thousands of riders each day,” she said. “Now, after more than 20 years of my husband supporting my career, it’s my turn to support his.”
Presutti joined DART In 2008, becoming CEO in 2011. As CEO she oversaw 300 employees and an agency that typically provides nearly 5 million rides a year. She also managed a $40 million operating budget.
Moving to the Charlotte area is a return for Presutti, who came to Des Moines from the Charlotte Area Transit System. Before that, she was a senior associate at the California-based consulting firm Transportation Management and Design.
Doug Elrod, DART commission chair and mayor of Bondurant, said Presutti brought a wealth of experience to DART, leaving the region a better place because of her leadership, advocacy and ability to build strong partnerships.
“She embraces innovation and continuously works to ensure the agency provides the best service possible while balancing the needs of each member community,” he said.
Under Presutti’s leadership, DART adopted its first long-range transportation plan, which resulted in DART restructuring its system and implementing a variety of improvements to its service. Improvements included the addition of new routes, improved frequency and expanded service on the agency’s busiest routes. Most recently, DART implemented new services such as Flex Connect, which connects to DART bus routes using Uber or Yellow Cab, and the new DART on Demand microtransit service in Ankeny, which has tripled ridership in its first 10 months of service.
DART also added Wi-Fi, a new mobile payment and fare collection system, and 50 new bus shelters.
According to the release, Presutti also led the organization to secure $55 million in funding for several initiatives, including DART Central Station, upgrades to DART’s fare collection system, seven electric buses and a new operations and maintenance facility.
In the release, Presutti said making the change has been a difficult decision for her and her husband.
“I never could have imagined all that we would accomplish when I first moved to Des Moines 14 years ago and I’m grateful to have been part of leading an amazing team who is committed to providing public transit service to thousands of riders each day,” she said. “Now, after more than 20 years of my husband supporting my career, it’s my turn to support his.”
Presutti joined DART In 2008, becoming CEO in 2011. As CEO she oversaw 300 employees and an agency that typically provides nearly 5 million rides a year. She also managed a $40 million operating budget.
Moving to the Charlotte area is a return for Presutti, who came to Des Moines from the Charlotte Area Transit System. Before that, she was a senior associate at the California-based consulting firm Transportation Management and Design.
Doug Elrod, DART commission chair and mayor of Bondurant, said Presutti brought a wealth of experience to DART, leaving the region a better place because of her leadership, advocacy and ability to build strong partnerships.
“She embraces innovation and continuously works to ensure the agency provides the best service possible while balancing the needs of each member community,” he said.
Under Presutti’s leadership, DART adopted its first long-range transportation plan, which resulted in DART restructuring its system and implementing a variety of improvements to its service. Improvements included the addition of new routes, improved frequency and expanded service on the agency’s busiest routes. Most recently, DART implemented new services such as Flex Connect, which connects to DART bus routes using Uber or Yellow Cab, and the new DART on Demand microtransit service in Ankeny, which has tripled ridership in its first 10 months of service.
DART also added Wi-Fi, a new mobile payment and fare collection system, and 50 new bus shelters.
According to the release, Presutti also led the organization to secure $55 million in funding for several initiatives, including DART Central Station, upgrades to DART’s fare collection system, seven electric buses and a new operations and maintenance facility.
Russ Trimble, current DART commission member and West Des Moines mayor, called Presutti’s departure a “tough loss” and said Presutti worked tirelessly to make DART as efficient and effective as possible.
“While we owe Elizabeth a huge debt of gratitude for all she has done and are sad to see her go, thanks to Elizabeth and the talented and caring team members of DART, the organization is well-positioned for the future, and we anticipate a smooth transition when the time comes to welcome a new CEO,” he said.
According to the release, the DART commission will begin the process of selecting a recruiting firm in the coming weeks to assist with the hiring of a new CEO. Presutti plans to remain with DART through early January, the release stated.
“While we owe Elizabeth a huge debt of gratitude for all she has done and are sad to see her go, thanks to Elizabeth and the talented and caring team members of DART, the organization is well-positioned for the future, and we anticipate a smooth transition when the time comes to welcome a new CEO,” he said.
According to the release, the DART commission will begin the process of selecting a recruiting firm in the coming weeks to assist with the hiring of a new CEO. Presutti plans to remain with DART through early January, the release stated.
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