Governor Greg Abbott has made a new appointment to the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) Board of Directors, choosing Justin Hewlett to occupy the chair through August 31, 2027. Hewlett, a resident of Cleburne, brings a history of local government experience and community involvement to a board that plays a critical role in managing highway infrastructure for millions in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
The governor's office announced the appointment on the 6th of November, noting Hewlett's background, which includes his tenure as the Mayor of the City of Cleburne. The role on the NTTA Board is significant, as the agency oversees a substantial stretch of toll roads across Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties—a region traversed by thousands of people daily. As a mayoral figure, Hewlett would have gleaned insights that are set to be valuable in his new post.
Business administration and civic engagement appear to be in Hewlett’s wheelhouse. The founder of Hewlett Office Systems, LLC, is not unfamiliar with the complexities of managing sprawling operations—experience likely to serve him well in a position responsible for the oversight of sprawling highway networks. His educational credentials include a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University, equipping him with a robust foundation for his role in the NTTA Board of Directors.
Hewlett's legacy of leadership extends beyond the sphere of business; his presidency of various community organizations, such as the Chisholm Trail 100 Club, Inc., United Way of Johnson County, Cleburne Education Foundation, and the Cleburne Economic Development Corporation, speaks to his involvement in fostering communal growth. The impact of his work in these capacities will likely resonate as he embarks on this term with the NTTA, where regional connectivity and mobility are at the forefront.
While the specifics of Hewlett's agenda as a member of the NTTA Board of Directors remain to be seen, the broad strokes of his prior undertakings suggest a focus on the alignment of economic development with transportation policy. His term, now in motion, will be under the watchful eyes of North Texas commuters and stakeholders eager to see how the authority navigates the evolving demands of a dynamic urban landscape.
