Former TTC exec hired as Hamilton's director of transit

Hamilton has looked east to find its new director of transit, hiring former Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) chief operating officer David Dixon to take over from the retiring Don Hull.

Dixon was pushed to the top operations gig at the TTC during a culture shakeup in 2012, and had been with the organization for 25 years. Dixon spent 19 months in the role as COO, managing and maintaining subways, streetcars, buses and their facilities, before he was let goin 2013 as part of a shake-up of management. A National Post report said Dixon took over when the previous general manager, Gary Webster, was pushed out by Toronto city council for opposing Mayor Rob Ford's subway plan. The Post report, from last October, said Dixon was fired along with his deputy, Jim Teeple.

• RELATED:HSR gets management shakeup after sexual harassment scandal

In a press release from the City of Hamilton, Gerry Davis, general manager of public works, said he is "pleased" to add Dixon to the city'sstaff.

"I am confident that his leadership qualities and related experience will continue to build upon Hamiltons modern, reliable, and service-orientated public transportation program."

The press release says Dixon will lead the Hamilton Street Rail (HSR) through a culture change of its own.

"David will be leading the transit group through a progressive transition towards achievement of the Citys corporate culture goals. This includes a number of important initiatives including a dedicated Human Resources Organizational Development Specialist to support senior staff as they work through culture changes within HSR," writes the city's press release.

In June, the HSRstripped Hull of many of his duties in the fallout ofa sexual harassment scandal that called for a culture change at Hamilton's transit authority. The scandal led to an adjudicators investigation into sexual harassment that went on for years at the HSR by a supervisor toward a female employee. It included lewd emails, unwanted touching and insults including her being called an "Irish skank."

Hull is expected to help in the transition. Dixon will start as director on Nov. 3, while Hull will retire after 18 years with the city on Nov. 14.