Paul Ballard, the Denver Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) interim general manager and CEO, starts his new position Feb. 24.
Ballard – who retired last year as CEO from Trinity Metro, which serves the city of Fort Worth, Texas, and its suburbs – takes the reins from Heather McKillop, RTD’s chief financial officer. McKillop has served as RTD’s acting interim general manager and CEO since Dave Genova retired last month after 26 years with the agency.
Ballard most recently had been advising the Secretary of Transportation’s office for the North Carolina Department of Transportation on its efforts to begin and expand commuter rail in that state. Prior to his work in Texas, Ballard served as CEO of the Nashville MTA and Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee. He has served as a general manager, CEO or president of public- and private-sector transit systems for more than four decades.
Denver RTD says Ballard will earn an annual salary of $350,000 and receive customary benefits, including relocation expenses, in alignment with Denver RTD’s policy for executive management. A nationwide recruitment for Denver RTD’s next permanent general manager and CEO is underway.