RTD’s board of directors on Tuesday officially named former United Airlines executive Sean Donohue; Vancouver, British Columbia, transit chief Douglas Kelsey; and interim RTD general manager Phillip Washington as finalists for RTD’s permanent GM position.
Another candidate who had received a favorable assessment from Regional Transportation District directors, San Diego transit chief executive Paul Jablonski, is no longer in the running for RTD’s top spot.
The Denver-area transit agency has been looking for a new general manager since Cal Marsella left the position in July. Marsella, who had led RTD for 14 years, joined a private transit firm.
RTD’s board received more than 200 applications for the GM post, and directors expect to soon select a winner.
Donohue joined United in 1984 and worked for the airline until 2008. He once served as head of United’s Denver- based mountain region and was senior vice president for flight operations and onboard service when he left the company.
Kelsey is president and chief executive of British Columbia Rapid Transit Co., which serves the Vancouver area.
BC transit includes the SkyTrain automated rail system and the West Coast Express commuter rail system. The agency also has responsibility for the Canada Line, SkyTrain’s newest rail operation. It opened in August, linking downtown Vancouver with its international airport.
Washington was RTD’s assistant general manager for administration for nine years before the board tapped him as interim GM in June.
As chief of administration, Washington was responsible for RTD’s finance, procurement, information technology, human resources, treasury and disadvantaged business departments.
The public can meet the finalists from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at a forum at the Oxford Hotel, in Lower Downtown Denver.
Call 303-592-5469 to RSVP.
