Two former general managers helped put most of the pieces in place for the metro-wide mass transit program, and Dave Genova is putting those pieces in motion.
For the , his first move is probably the biggest.
It starts Friday with the much anticipated start of the will run on 23 miles of commuter rail from Denver Union Station to DIA.
Genova, 54, compared the new line opening to a big league manager unveiling a lineup geared for a World Series run.
“Opening day is like nothing else,” said Genova. “There is such a buzz about this. It’s exhilarating and exciting.”
“Projects like these take so long,” he added, “with the planning and design. And I know people can’t wait to see it.”
Genova, who got his bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Colorado, was picked by the RTD board of directors in March to take over the general manager’s post over outside candidates, both from the East Coast.
He served as interim general manager when Phil Washington left in March 2015. Genova has worked nearly 22 years with RTD, which included stints as the agency’s senior manager of public safety and assistant general manager of safety, security and facilities.
He watched as the late , who as general manager, lobbied heavily for the FasTracks program before voters approved it in 2004. Genova called Marsella a “visionary.” He describes Washington, who succeeded Marsella, as an “innovator.”
“My legacy is to complete FasTracks and maintain the system,” he said.
Genova said his eye was never on the general manager’s job until he had a casual conversation with Marsella.
“I was in Cal’s office one day after a long meeting, and Cal told me ‘When you are the GM … ‘ ” Genova said. “That planted the seed. Everything kind of changed after that.”
When he served under Washington, Genova describe himself as a “sponge.”
“I was a case study in professional development,” he said. “I wanted to learn so much.”
Mostly he picked up on the importance of teamwork.
“If I had to label myself, I would say I’m a collaborator. I want to serve this community, RTD and the family of employees. I don’t want to sit around on my hands,” Genova said. “I spent a lot of years preparing myself for this job, and I want to get together with people and get things done.”
Genova’s ability to work in concert with others made him uniquely suited for the job as general manager, said Tom Tobiassen, chair of the RTD board of directors.
“As we shift from a construction focus to an operations focus, a different skill set is needed,” said Tobiassen. “Dave has the background and experience to face the many complex challenges of operating five major transit corridors while integrating them into the entire system.”
“No small task,” added Tobiassen.
Three other rail lines are scheduled to open later this year, all part of the FasTracks plan to build 122 miles of new commuter and light rail and 18 miles of bus rapid transit.
RTD also began its , the Flatiron Flyer, on U.S. 36 between Denver and Boulder, earlier this year.
“This is really historic, ” Genova said. “This is going to be a momentous year.”
Genova faces other challenges besides the rolling out of FasTracks.
• On ensuring RTD’s system can grow:
The millennial generation has values that tend toward mass transit, which will help RTD’s ridership, said Genova. The agency will also work with Uber and other car-sharing services to solve the problem of getting commuters to the bus stop, train station or their front door.
• On criticism the new bus service from Boulder to Denver is not the rail service voters originally approved:
More outreach is planned for communities in the Boulder corridor to gauge their mass transit needs, Genova said. The Bus Rapid Transit system is doing well and expansion into arterial routes are a priority, he said. “We are getting a good return on that investment.”
The promise of rail for the Boulder corridor has also not been forgotten. “Clearly we value that corridor. It is important.”
• On ridership lagging on the W-Line from Denver to Golden:
“Our ridership is less than anticipated,” Genova said. But numbers are likely to improve as more business and housing developments emerge along the corridor, he said. “We are actively seeking ways to improve that line.”
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907, mwhaley@denverpost.com or @montewhaley
Opening day
A look at the festivities planned Friday for the opening of the Univeristy of Colorado A-Line between DIA and downtown Denver:
8:10 a.m.: Denver Union Station ribbon cuttings
8:30: Train leaves Union Station
8:50: Train arrives at 40th and Airport station for ribbon cutting
9:25: Train arrives at DIA station
9:30: DIA ribbon cutting
10: Grand opening ceremony
Noon: Train opens to public at DIA and Union Station for free rides
