Gary Thomas Joins H.W. Lochner
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Gary Thomas, National Transit and Rail Market Director, H.W. Lochner, Inc.
Former Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) President/Executive Director Gary Thomas has signed on to become National Transit and Rail Market Director for H.W. Lochner, Inc. (Lochner), a Chicago, Ill.-based infrastructure planning and engineering firm.
Thomas served most recently as U.S. Transit Market Leader at Jacobs, a professional services firm. He retired from DART in 2020, after leading the transit agency for nearly 20 years. Under his direction, DART doubled its light rail system twice to become the longest in the U.S. at 93 miles. The agency also was recognized for innovation in developing a progressive clean fuels program for its bus fleet, in advancing new models for local bus and paratransit service, and in implementing customer-facing communications technology. Thomas joined DART in 1998 as Senior Vice President of Project Management. Previously, he was an engineer and architect for 19 years, consulting for national and international projects, including those at DART, dating back to 1986. He is a 2022 inductee of the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA’s) Hall of Fame.
Thomas is a past Chair of APTA, Rail-Volution, and the SouthWest Transit Association. He also served on the Transportation Research Board Executive Committee, Transportation Cooperative Research Program, Texas Transportation Association, and the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute on Oct. 16 will induct Thomas into the Texas Transportation Hall of Honor.
According to Lochner, Thomas will now direct the growth of the firm’s national Transit and Rail practice. He will be responsible for strategy development, client relationship management, and key pursuits and partnerships, with a direct reporting line to the Lochner’s Board Chair and CEO Terry Ruhl. Additionally, he will work with Lochner’s Corporate Development group to identify, acquire, and integrate transit and rail companies into firm’s service portfolio.
“We are excited and honored to have Gary join our team,” Terry Ruhl said. “He is one of the most respected and innovative leaders in the public transit sector in America. I look forward to working with Gary and Lochner’s Transit and Rail team to enhance our mission of improving public transportation in communities across the nation.”
“Public transportation plays an indispensable role in our communities, promoting accessibility, reducing congestion and minimizing our environmental footprint,” Thomas said. “I’m excited to be joining the Lochner team and expanding the Transit and Rail practice nationally to deliver solutions that connect people and places and enhance quality of life.”
