Two outsiders who help run some of the busiest transit hubs in North America are vying with a Regional Transportation District veteran to become RTD’s new general manager and CEO.
The three finalists are Stephanie Dawson, Richard Leary and Dave Genova, it was announced Tuesday night at the RTD board meeting.
Dawson is the acting chief operating officer at the New York and New Jersey.
Leary is the chief service officer for the , the third-largest urban mass transit system in North America.
been serving as RTD’s interim general manager after Phil Washington left in April. Washington is now the head of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
The chairman of the RTD board said Tuesday he is pleased with the three finalists. RTD will open in 2016 and introduce the Flatiron Flyer commuter bus system on U.S. 36 between Denver and Boulder.
“This is a critical time in the history of RTD, so we are pleased to have such strong finalists,” said chairman Chuck Sisk. “We have searched across the world to find the most qualified candidates to ensure RTD continues to be the best transit agency in the nation.”
RTD will host a forum with the finalists from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Embassy Suites, 1420 Stout St. Those attending will be asked to provide feedback in writing on each finalist.
The board will interview the finalists Friday and is expected to make a decision by the end of the month.
Dawson joined the Port Authority in 1995. She currently oversees aviation, tunnels, bridges, terminals, port commerce, PATH rail, operations services and the newly created office of storm mitigation and resilience.
The Port Authority maintains America’s busiest airport system, marine terminals and ports, six tunnels and bridges between New York and New Jersey, the Port Authority Bus terminal in Manhattan and the World Trade Center. Dawson retired from the Army in July 2011 after 32 years of service.
Leary oversees the day-to-day revenue operations for the Toronto Transit Commission as well as customer services and safety. He was recruited from York Region Transit in Ontario in 2014 to help improve service in Toronto.
While heading York Region, ridership grew from 18.6 million to about 23 million riders annually on its regular buses and express service, according to the Toronto Star. Leary joined York Region as general manager in 2009, after retiring from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
Genova has been with RTD for more than 21 years, serving as the assistant general manager of safety, security and facilities for eight years.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907, whaley@denverpost.com or @montewhaley
