DART Commission Names Erin Hockman as Chief Executive Officer
Longtime DART leader selected for ‘proven leadership and passion’
The Board of Commissioners of the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) today announced the selection of Erin Hockman as Chief Executive Officer. A respected and familiar leader with both the organization and the Greater Des Moines community, Hockman brings a decade of experience at DART, most recently as Chief Administrative and Strategy Officer.
Hockman will officially assume the role on May 7, as current CEO Amanda Wanke departs to take a leadership position with Metro Transit in the Twin Cities.
“Erin is a proven leader who’s been at the heart of DART’s work for years and has earned the trust of this Commission and the member communities DART serves,” said Connie Boesen, chair of the DART Commission. “She’s passionate about what public transit makes possible and has helped shape it, with a deep commitment to the personal and economic impact it has on people’s lives. As we get ready to roll out Reimagine DART and whatever follows in the years ahead, we’re confident she’s the right person to continue advancing public transit’s impact in Greater Des Moines.”
Hockman joined DART in 2016 as Marketing and Communications Manager, bringing valuable experience from the private sector. Prior to DART, she spent eight years at Kemin Industries, a global nutritional manufacturing company, where she advanced through multiple roles focused on strategic communications, executive counsel, employee relations, public relations and marketing.
At DART, Hockman has played a key role in shaping organizational strategy, working closely with the CEO to align priorities and guide short- and long-term planning. She has also helped spearhead Reimagine DART, including a community-driven network redesign set to launch in June.
“I’m honored to serve as DART’s next CEO and continue doing work I’m passionate about, especially at such an important time for DART,” said Erin Hockman. “With strong momentum and a shared vision for how we can best serve our communities, I’m grateful to the Commission for their trust, and inspired every day by the impact public transit has on people’s lives and across our region.”
“What made this decision easy for me is the exceptional team at DART,” Hockman added. “Our success is driven by talented, dedicated employees at every level who are committed to delivering their best for our riders and the communities we serve. I am excited about the transformative changes we’re making to our bus routes next month, which will expand access to more people while delivering a stronger return on investment and lowering costs to taxpayers.”
Hockman earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Truman State University, with a minor in business administration. She and her husband, Dustin, have two children and live in West Des Moines.