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Regional Transportation District of Denver (RTD) General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Cal Marsella recently announced plans to leave the agency on July 31, ending his 14 year run in the top post. He's taking a "high-level position with a private sector firm," according to the agency.

Under Marsella's leadership, RTD opened three light-rail lines; purchased Denver Union Station in partnership with the city and county of Denver, Denver Regional Council of Governments and the Colorado Department of Transportation; developed the FasTracks expansion program, which was approved by voters in 2004; and was named Outstanding Public Transportation Agency in North America by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) in 2003 and 2008.

In 2006, Marsella was named Outstanding Public Transportation Manager by APTA. He also was named Person of the Year by the University of Colorado Real Estate Council in 2006 and Transportation Professional of the Year by the Colorado Association of State Transportation Agencies in 2000.

Marsella joined RTD in 1995 after co-owning Gulf Coast Paratransit Inc. consultants in Fort Meyers, Fla. His previous stints include chief of contracted services for Miami's Metro Dade Transit Agency and director of transportation services for Hartford, Conn. Marsella began his transportation career in 1974 in the Connecticut Department of Transportation's highway engineering division.

The RTD board plans to launch a search for Marsella's successor during the next several weeks.