Director's Corner

Michael Morris, P.E., Director of Transportation                                              Michael Morris the director of NCTCOG Transportation sitting at a desk

Michael Morris has been on staff in the Transportation Department of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Dallas-Fort Worth area, since 1979. 

The Metropolitan Planning Organization serves the region by developing transportation plans and programs that address the transportation needs of a rapidly growing metropolitan area. Mr. Morris became the Director in 1990. As the Director of Transportation, Michael is also responsible for coordinating plans, programs, and projects to improve mobility and reduce vehicle emissions.

Mr. Morris received his Master's in Civil Engineering from State University of New York at Buffalo in 1979 and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.  He previously served as the Chairman of the Transportation Research Board Executive Committee and a National Associate of the National Academies of Science.
 

Dan Kessler, Assistant Director of TransportationDan Kessler assistant director of NCTCOG Transportation (head shot)

Dan Kessler joined the staff of the North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department, the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Dallas-Fort Worth Area, in 1981.  In October 1990, he was promoted to Assistant Director.  Prior to becoming Assistant Director of Transportation, Dan served as the project manager overseeing the development of the region's metropolitan transportation plans, as well as numerous freeway and transit corridor initiatives, and thoroughfare plans.  He also served as the project manager for the development of the region's hazardous materials routing system.

Dan currently works with a team of Senior Program Managers to oversee activities in the areas of Transportation Planning; Air Quality Planning and Operations; Travel Model Development; Congestion Management, Safety and Security; Intermodal Planning; Transit Operations and Fiscal Management.

His education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Development from Purdue University and a Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois.  Dan is a 1993 graduate of Leadership Fort Worth, and a Fort Worth resident.