After months of searching, the Denton County Transportation Authority now has a new president.

Jim Cline

The transportation authority’s board of directors approved hiring Jim Cline as president, during a special meeting Tuesday. Cline takes over from interim President Jim Witt, who replaced John Hedrick in March 2009 after Hedrick had served four years as president.

“This is a very interesting opportunity,” Cline said. “There’s a lot going on with DCTA and it’s a very interesting challenge I wanted to take on.”

He said he plans to learn more about the position and follow the board’s guidance when he takes over on March 1. He said he wants to “move forward with all the projects, bus service and all the different elements we can use to support the citizens of Denton County.”

Cline was one of four candidates interviewed out of 52 applicants for the position.

He has served as city director for Irving since 1998. Cline also was involved in the implementation of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Orange Line.

“Cline is well respected in this region,” said Charles Emery, board chairman. “We’re very fortunate to have someone who already has that knowledge base and relationships that, combined with the rest of his credentials, makes him a perfect match for us right now.”

Cline’s experience was one of the driving factors for board members wanting to have him come on board with the DCTA.

“We have, in our service plan, probably 35-40 more miles of rail just inside this county,” Emery said. “Certainly, with his experience in Irving with the DART Orange Line — he had quite a bit of management responsibility there — it will make it a great fit.”

Cline’s rail experience and the respect he has earned in his engineering career will help DCTA as it completes its A-train rail line project, he said.

“We’re thrilled,” Emery said. “We will miss Jim Witt, but this is certainly the man for this time.”

BJ LEWIS can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is blewis@dentonrc.com .