Denver RTD names general manager finalists

Denver's Regional Transportation District Board of Directors has named three finalists in its search for the district's new General Manager and CEO. The three finalists are Sean Donohue, Douglas Kelsey and Phillip Washington.

Donohue
has extensive experience in private-sector management after leading United
Airlines’ global operations and managing a budget of more than $3 billion as
United’s Senior Vice President of Flight Operations. Donohue retired from
United in 2008 and has since been working on several private equity ventures.

Kelsey is
currently the president and CEO of the British Columbia Rapid Transit Company.
His responsibilities have included overseeing a $2-billion Public-Private
Partnership for the Canada Line service. Kelsey began his career at Shell Oil
and became the manager of all of Shell’s retail locations across Canada before
being recruited by Starbucks to manage the coffee giant’s Canadian retail
locations.

Washington
is the current interim CEO and General Manager for the RTD. For the past nine
years, Washington was RTD’s assistant general manager for administration,
overseeing finance, procurement, information technology, human resources, treasury
and disadvantaged business enterprise departments. Before joining RTD, he spent
24 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a decorated Command Sergeant Major.

The RTD
Board will interview the finalists Dec. 11 as part of the selection process.
Finalists will also interview with RTD’s Civic Leaders Panel, representing
stakeholders from around the region, which will advise the board on its
recommendations. The RTD Board is expected to appoint a full-time general
manager by the end of year.