Denver RTD names three finalists in search for new CEO and general manager

Three finalists have been chosen by the Denver Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) Board of Directors and the executive search firm Krauthamer & Associates in their search for the agency’s new general manager and CEO.

The three finalists being considered are Debra Johnson, Adelee Le Grand and Tina Quigley.

Johnson is a transit executive with more than 25 years of diversified, progressively responsible experience leading and managing business processes for public transit agencies. She has held executive positions at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro). Currently, she is the deputy CEO at Long Beach Transit in Long Beach, Calif.

 Le Grand is a leader with more than two decades of experience, who is passionate about utilizing mobility as a tool to create and sustain vibrant equitable communities. Her area of specialty is developing and communicating strategies into actionable plans that will guide the implementation of business solutions and innovations. Through contract agreements with Transdev North America, Le Grand has served as a member of the executive team for two transit agencies. She has served as the chief mobility officer for the Atlanta‐region Transit Link Authority (ATL), working closely with the executive director and planning division to develop a strategic plan to document the new state authority’s suite of services and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders and regional partners such as the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority and Georgia Department of Transportation. Le Grand also served as the chief strategy officer in service to the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority where her responsibilities included developing the first Strategic Mobility Plan for the New Orleans Region and rebuilding the planning department. She empowers her team to view their portfolio of projects as opportunities to improve the lives of the community they serve.

Quigley served as CEO for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada until her retirement in November of last year. During her tenure, Quigley embraced and fought for sweeping technological advances, advocated for comprehensive future planning and built critical partnerships to position the Las Vegas Valley for ongoing and sustained economic vitality. Quigley began her career as a planner at McCarran International Airport. She is a licensed pilot and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Airport Planning & Development from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School Program for Leadership Development. She is active on several boards, including the Desert Research Institute Foundation, Waycare Technologies, Vegas Chamber, Nevada Institute of Autonomous Systems, International Women’s Forum, Neon Museum Steering Committee and the Fulfillment Fund of Las Vegas.

Later this month, the public and Denver RTD employees will have the opportunity to learn more about each finalist and provide feedback after hearing their vision for the agency in taped video presentations. The presentations by each of the finalists and an online survey will be available Aug. 19–23 on the RTD website. 

The nationwide search began in May and garnered more than 58 applicants. The board’s executive search committee interviewed six candidates earlier this week and narrowed down the field to three finalists this morning. A final selection is expected to be made by the end of August.

“We are pleased to reach this major milestone in our search for a new leader who will guide the agency through this crucial time of transition,” said Board Chair Angie Rivera-Malpiede. “We certainly couldn’t have predicted the year we have had, but we are confident that one of these three candidates have what it takes to lead us forward during recovery and beyond.” 

Denver RTD is currently led by Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Paul J. Ballard. Ballard assumed the role for an interim period starting in February after former General Manager and CEO Dave Genova retired in January.