Southern Nevada RTC veteran MJ Maynard to lead agency into new era of transportation

MJ Maynard has been appointed as the new CEO of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada following a unanimous approval from the board of commissioners.

Maynard, with more than 12 years of service in Southern Nevada RTC leadership, most recently served as deputy CEO and succeeds retiring CEO Tina Quigley. She will begin her new role effective immediately.

Maynard joined Southern Nevada RTC in 2007 after a 25-year career in the Las Vegas hospitality industry. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the CEO position given her tenure as deputy CEO, leading diverse departments at the Southern Nevada RTC including finance, transit services, human resources, technical equipment and transit amenities, safety and security and customer care. Maynard also serves on the American Public Transportation Association Board of Directors.

Maynard’s priority in her new role is to provide a sustainable, efficient and accessible transportation system that meets the diverse mobility needs of the growing Southern Nevada region. She will also continue to develop innovative strategies and partnerships to enhance services and reduce costs for the transportation agency.

“The services the RTC provides are critical. We connect people to their friends and family, jobs, schools, healthcare and recreation – basically everything in Southern Nevada,” said Maynard. “That is why I am humbled and excited to lead the RTC, especially during this era of evolution for transportation and growth for our community.”

Maynard also announced her four-member executive team that brings vast experience in transportation leadership. They include:

• Deputy CEO David Swallow: With more than 25 years of experience in the transportation industry, Swallow oversees the Southern Nevada RTC’s planning, engineering and funding programs for transportation infrastructure, new technologies and traffic management. As deputy chief executive officer, he is focused on developing a long-term vision for improving mobility in Southern Nevada; working with community partners to implement the Southern Nevada Strong regional plan; programming projects to enhance the valley’s roadway network; coordinating construction to minimize impacts; developing high-capacity transit lines on key corridors; managing the public bike share system; and integrating new technologies and data to improve traffic operations for residents and visitors alike. Swallow joined the Southern Nevada RTC in 2001.
• Deputy CEO Francis Julien:  Joining the Southern Nevada RTC this month, Julien most recently served as vice president of western region operations for Keolis Transit America, where he managed operations for four transit agencies, including Southern Nevada’s residential and resort corridor transit routes. He brings to the Southern Nevada RTC significant experience in the public transit industry and will oversee management of the Southern Nevada RTC’s transit service, transit facilities and systems and related departments. Julien has a keen understanding of advanced mobility initiatives and has embraced innovation to enhance mobility in the region. Under his leadership, Keolis partnered with the Southern Nevada RTC to launch Trip to Strip, the world’s largest microtransit pilot offering on-demand shared ride service in the resort corridor. Additionally, he also managed the launch of the AAA/Keolis autonomous shuttle, which was the nation’s first pilot of a self-driving shuttle in mixed traffic.
• Chief Strategy, Policy and Marketing Officer Angela Castro: Castro is chief of staff to Maynard and oversees strategic and public facing initiatives, including all state and federal government affairs and public policy; traditional and digital marketing; transit advertising; public engagement; and media relations. She provides strategic counsel and thought leadership on high-level initiatives and policies as well as efforts that are public facing. She has built consensus among executive teams, community leaders and stakeholders to promote transparency and influence positive change. Castro has more than 15 years of experience in media, marketing and management from her service at the Southern Nevada RTC as well as previous positions with the Las Vegas Monorail, MGM Resorts International and the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
• Chief Financial Officer Marc Traasdahl: With more than 25 years of accounting experience at public, private and non-profit agencies, Traasdahl oversees all elements of finance, purchasing and contracts, fare policy and collection, short-and long-term operating and capital budgeting, grant reporting and administration, and the RTC’s asset management system. Under his leadership, the Southern Nevada RTC consistently receives clean audit reports from external auditors and has secured significant interest savings and additional grants to benefit transit and transportation infrastructure development in the region.