Denver RTD narrows search for next CEO

The Regional Transportation District of Denver's (RTD) board yesterday released the names of three finalists in the agency's search for a new general manager and chief executive officer.

The three finalists are Stephanie Dawson, Richard Leary and RTD's interim general manager and CEO Dave Genova.

Dawson currently serves as acting chief operation officer at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which she joined in 1995, RTD officials said in a press release. Her current responsibilities include overseeing aviation, tunnels, bridges, terminals, port commerce, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson passenger-rail system, operations services and the office of storm mitigation and resilience.

Leary is chief service officer of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), which is the third largest urban mass transit system in North America, RTD officials said. His responsibilities include day-to-day revenue operations, customer services and safety at the agency. Before joining the TTC, he was chief operating officer for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

"This is a critical time in the history of RTD, so we are pleased to have such strong finalists," said RTD Chair Charles 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."