Board of Directors

Kate Williams was elected on November 8, 2016, and re elected in 2020. She represents District A, which includes portions of downtown Denver, Cherry Creek, Glendale, and Lowry. Director Williams worked for years with DRMAC (the Denver Regional Mobility and Access Council) and the A3 (American Federation for the Blind) and is still in contact daily with those who use a variety of transportation services.

Director Williams has a long background in both non-profits and in transit, having previously served at one of the largest non-profit providers of transit services in Douglas County. As a lifetime supporter of the elderly and the disabled, and as someone who is cognizant of the ongoing “silver tsunami”, Director Williams’ focus has been address the needs of those who are transit-dependent and to assure that transit is available to all.

Prior to relocating to Denver with members of her extended family, Director Williams was active in the Greater Miami non-profit arena; she worked at an internationally known sports center for the disabled, a women’s foundation, and a shelter for victims of domestic violence. She is a CNA with a specialty in elder care and taught CPR/First Aid to medical staff and area schools.

As a self-avowed transit nerd, Director Williams quickly became involved in transit issues once she relocated to the Denver area. She serves on a variety of transit related Task Forces and committees. She is a graduate of the Transit Alliance’s Citizen Academy, a Certified Community Transit Manager, and a Certified Mobility Manager. In what spare time she has left, Director Williams sings with DU’s The Spirituals Project and practices yoga.

Director JoyAnn Ruscha (she/they) was elected to the Board in 2022 and represents District B, which spans the Denver neighborhoods of Park Hill, Central Park, Montbello, Green Valley Ranch, DIA, a portion of East Colfax, as well as north of Colfax in Aurora and parts of unincorporated Adams County.

JoyAnn is the Director of Government Relations & Grants at arc Thrift Stores, which supports Coloradans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Representing disabled Coloradans’ interests, JoyAnn serves as a Governor Polis appointee to both the Colorado Disability Funding Committee and the Towing Task Force. Previously, Director Ruscha was an executive member of the boards of J Street Colorado and NARAL Colorado (now Cobalt).

A former teacher, JoyAnn worked at the original Montbello High School in Denver and at an alternative school for at-risk youth in Aurora. JoyAnn’s son, an avid RTD rider since the age of 11, also attended middle and high school in Central Park. All four schools are in District B, where JoyAnn experienced the direct impact of transit and land use policies.

In other roles, JoyAnn was also a proud dues-paying member of SEIU Local 105 and Colorado Carpenters Local 555. In recognition of her demonstrated commitment to the rights of workers everywhere, JoyAnn was recently awarded honorary membership as a “Woman of Steel” by the Steelworkers Local 3267.

In 2022, JoyAnn was honored with the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition’s George Roberts & Jeanette Klimach Foot Soldier of the Year Award, which is given to a person who goes above and beyond in fighting for the Americans with Disabilities Act.

JoyAnn remains inspired by the Gang of 19, a group of disabled ADAPT activists who protested RTD’s inaccessible system in 1978. As Director, JoyAnn believes in the future of RTD and its ability to achieve an equitable and accessible world-class transit system for all.

Director Ruscha lives with her son, Jude, and their rescue dog, Max, in the Central Park neighborhood of Denver.

Michael Guzman, the new Director for District C, is a Denver native, a St. Joe's baby, a descendant of Aurarians with proud Chicano and Boricua roots. Currently serving up lattes and fresh coffee, he is in his 8th year as a Supervisor and Coffee Master for Starbucks Coffee Co.

He is a Graduate of St. John's University, Collegeville, MN. with a B.A. conferred in 2003.

Michael's proudest accomplishment has been to return to Puerto Rico, after Hurricane Maria, as a volunteer to plant and repopulate coffee trees. The hurricane devastated the coffee industry. It was a small step to restoring opportunity, hope, and in a deeply meaningful way to help heal both himself and his isla querida. My great-grandma taught me, "if you never put your hands into the earth, you never learn to respect it."

If he isn't brewing coffee or studying languages, he's probably reading, walking and listening to his favorite podcasts, or being still (even though that last one is rare). You'd most likely catch him on the 52, 44, 19, 31 or the G or A trains.

Bobby works as an attorney at Moye White LLP. As a member of the Real Estate Section and Advanced Energy Group, he focuses on real estate transactions and regularly assists clients with solar development and other advanced or renewable energy matters. Prior to joining Moye White, Bobby worked for Baltimore City Public Schools as a middle school English and Humanities Teacher.

Outside of work and RTD, he serves on the Board of Directors of Transportation Solutions Foundation and was a founding director of The Support Network, a national non-profit working to address and promote student mental health and well-being through the implementation, development and collaboration of peer support initiatives in high schools and colleges.

Director Paul Rosenthal was sworn in as Director for RTD District E on January 5, 2021. Located in the east and southeast metro area, District E represents part of Aurora west of 1-225 and south of Colfax as well as Denver, Greenwood Village and Centennial south of Yale Ave and east of I-25.

A native  of San Francisco, California, Director Rosenthal has lived in Denver since 1995. He has been a special education, Economics, Civics, Colorado History, and U.S. History teacher at a youth correctional facility since 2009. In the summer of 2020, he was awarded "Teacher of the Year" by Junior Achievement for his work engaging his students in his Economics course and leading them to 5th and 7th place in the Stock Market Challenge, where they competed against 40 teams. In 2013, he received the Teacher of the Year Award from his school.

He served in the Colorado House of Representatives from 2013-2018, where he passed legislation to require the governor to make climate change a priority. He also championed and pioneered bills to support transit and transportation, ban "gay conversion therapy", reduce use of plastic bags, reform the criminal justice system, and adopt the National Popular Vote. Director Rosenthal sponsored tributes and breakfasts in honor of Daddy Bruce Randolph and Corky Gonzales, had forums for legislators to meet with refugees and immigrants, and recognized dozens of diverse students for their success. He was the chair of the LGBTQ Caucus and founder of the Aerospace Caucus in the legislature.  His House district included southeast Denver and parts of unincorporated Arapahoe County.

Since 2005, Director Rosenthal has been an appointee by former Mayor Hickenlooper and now Mayor Michael Hancock to the Denver Community Corrections Board, and he served as Vice Chair. The board decides which offenders from prison may re-enter the community through Denver's half-way houses. In 2009, Director Rosenthal envisioned and successfully led the effort to name the new Denver courthouse after his hero, former Denver Juvenile Court Judge Ben Barr Lindsey.

Director Rosenthal was elected as a delegate to Democratic National Conventions in 2000 and 2004, and was elected Secretary of the Denver Democratic Party and President of Colorado Stonewall LGBTQ Democrats. He helped found the University Hills Neighborhood Association. For five years he served on the Jewish Community Relations Council of JewishColorado.

Director Rosenthal earned his Master's of International Management from the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business and has lived and traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East. He has worked for various businesses and law firms as well. He attends Aish Denver synagogue in Greenwood Village. In his free time, he enjoys cooking exotic foods for friends, hiking, seeing films, and a good glass of wine.

Robert E. (Bob) Broom was elected Director for RTD District F on November 8, 2016. This district includes the largest portion of Aurora and portions of unincorporated areas of Arapahoe County on the eastern side of RTD.

Bob was elected to Aurora City Council in 2003 and served three terms through 2015.  He has a strong background in municipal governance, having worked in city governments in three states.  After serving as City Manager of Aurora, Bob pursued a career in investment banking.  His expertise in municipal financial matters was an asset in his position on City Council and will be helpful also on the RTD Board.  He was a licensed Stock and Bond Broker and held a Securities Principal license.  Bob has a B.S. in Business Administration from Millikin University and an MBA from the University of Denver.

Clean air and water are a top priority, and Bob worked for them while serving on the Board of the Denver Regional Council of Governments for eight years. In 2014, he was appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper to the Denver Metropolitan Area Regional Clean Air Council. Bob also served as Chairman of the Denver Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamations District Board, on the Board of the Cherry Creek Basin Authority, and on the Colorado Department of Transportation Regional Transportation Commission.

Bob is married to Ruthie, and they have two grown daughters and a grandson.

Director Bouquet was elected to the RTD Board in the 2020 general election on November 3rd. Director Bouquet was sworn in as Director on January 5, 2021. Director Bouquet represents RTD District G which includes most of Parker and Lone Tree and portions of Centennial, Aurora and Castle Rock.

Director Bouquet is a full time middle school teacher for Douglas County School District. He teaches elective classes on media and broadcast production, as well as a class on photojournalism and electronic publishing. His classes have won multiple district and statewide student-media and student-journalism awards.

He has grown up in Douglas County and has lived most of his life in the county. Director Bouquet is a frequent RTD rider, and was first introduced to RTD while attending the University of Denver. He used the E or F line almost everyday in college. Director Bouquet graduated from the University of Denver in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Director Bouquet has been involved in several political campaigns since 2012. He has served as a non-paid volunteer, an organizer and a canvas manager. He is also a proud Eagle Scout and credits most of his civic engagement from his time in the scouts.

Doug Tisdale was elected to represent District H (Cherry Hills Village, Greenwood Village, Centennial, Littleton, Columbine Valley and Highlands Ranch) in November 2016, receiving nearly 77,000 votes. Doug was elected Chairman of the RTD Board in January 2018 and re-elected as the Chair in January 2019, committed to communicate, collaborate and cooperate. Dedicated to collaborative business growth on a regional, national and international level, Doug is the Executive Vice President of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, where he focuses on creating an environment of economic development and prosperity throughout the region.

As a globally-recognized attorney, facilitator, problem-solver and champion of causes, he has been a successful leader in civic, charitable, cultural, educational, governmental, healthcare and corporate environments. His leadership has benefited individuals, companies and governments in Africa, Asia, Australia, China, Europe, New Zealand and throughout North America.

Doug recently served as Mayor of Cherry Hills Village and was an officer of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (where he worked on transportation issues for almost 12 years), the Denver Metro Mayors Caucus, the Colorado Municipal League and the National League of Cities. In addition to being the Chairman of the Colorado State Board of Registered Psychotherapists at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies for eight years, he is also a member of the Board of Governors at the Denver Zoo and the Board of Trustees at the Lone Tree Cultural Arts Foundation. Being a developer of the #21 Best Hotel in the World (Travel+Leisure), located in Beaver Creek, is also on Doug’s list of accomplishments.

A University of Michigan Law School graduate, Doug is President of Tisdale & Associates LLC and was formerly a partner in the global law firms of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck as well as Popham Haik and Baker & Hostetler. He was Chairman of the Board of the Colorado Neurological Institute and of the Eagle Health Care Center and was Treasurer of the Vail Valley Medical Center. Doug, an accomplished actor and singer, has enjoyed appearing in numerous productions around the country for over half a century. He is frequently sought out by nonprofits in Colorado and California to serve as an energetic, passionate emcee and live auctioneer.

Riding buses to school in Los Angeles and Detroit was a part of Doug’s adolescence. He continued his public transportation experience by riding the bus to work in Denver. He is a self-proclaimed “rail junkie.” Dedicated to a safe, secure, reliable and economical transportation experience, Doug is sensitive to the needs of passengers. His appreciation of the needs of operators and maintainers comes naturally to him, being an honorably withdrawn member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Local No. 372).

Doug was married for 31 years to the late Patricia C. Tisdale, Esq., with whom he had four children (Doug Jr., Lakewood; Dr. Sara, Colorado Springs; Maggie(!), Denver; and Vicki, Sandy, UT). He also has three young grandsons and a granddaughter. Find him on Facebook and look for him on LinkedIn.

Director Erik Davidson was sworn in to serve on the RTD Board of Directors on January 5, 2021.  Erik is the Director for RTD District I, representing all of Lafayette, all the portions of Broomfield and Erie that are within the Regional Transportation District, most of Longmont, a portion of Thornton, and portions of unincorporated Adams County and Boulder County.

Director Davidson has worked as a business leader across the technology sector, focused primarily on leading growth initiatives and new ventures.  He was educated as an engineer, receiving a B.S. and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.

Director Davidson formed and led a coalition of citizens and officials in Broomfield to develop an accurate financial valuation of the working & mineral interests of a major oil & gas operation planned in the City & County.

Having lived in or having family living in major metro areas such as Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York City, Director Davidson believes in robust transit systems that build a stronger economy, provide more equitable mobility, and promote a healthier environment.

Director Davidson lives in Broomfield with his wife, Anastasia, a professional actress.  Erik is a Taekwon-Do instructor, enjoys the outdoors, believes in the arts, is passionate about reading & learning, and loves his family.

Director Vince Buzek was elected to the RTD Board of Directors in November 2018 and took office in January 2019, representing District J. Director Buzek’s District includes the cities of Westminster, Northglenn, Federal Heights, portions of western Thornton and portions of unincorporated Adams and Jefferson Counties.

A Chicago native, Director Buzek grew up in a transit dependent family, relying on public transportation for much of his early life. As a Council Member for the City and County of Broomfield from 1999 – 2007, Director Buzek was active in transit issues and participated in the decision for Broomfield to publicly support FasTracks. Director Buzek also served on the Colorado Gaming Commission as a Member and its Chair and has served for the past 6 years on the Adams County Planning Commission as Member, Vice-Chair and Chair. Director Buzek understands the many challenges faced by RTD and its ridership and brings his background and expertise to address the issues faced not only by his constituents in District J, but throughout the entire region.

Director Buzek, an attorney with over 30 years’ experience in Chicago and Colorado, currently operates his own firm in Broomfield focusing on estate planning and mediation. Director Buzek enjoys travelling with his wife, Karen; bee keeping, reading, and attempting to garden.

Director Troy Whitmore was elected to the RTD Board of Directors in November 2018 and took office in January 2019, representing District K. District K is RTD’s most northeastern district which includes Brighton, Commerce City, much of Thornton and unincorporated Adams County.

Troy Whitmore is an active community servant who has been a United Power employee for more than 30 years. In his current position as Public Affairs Officer, he oversees communications, marketing, key accounts, governmental affairs and community relations functions for the electric distribution cooperative based in Brighton, Colorado.

A northeastern Colorado native, Troy is a 1983 graduate of Northeastern Junior College and a 1985 graduate of Colorado State University.

A former Thornton City Council member, Troy remains very active in his community. He is past Chair of the Board of Directors of the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce, past Chair and Board member of the Brighton Economic Development Corporation and past President and Board member of Almost Home, Inc. He serves as a Board Member for Smart Commute MetroNorth and Adams County Economic Development. He also chairs School District 27J’s Bond Advisory Committee and is Vice Chair of the Board of Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) which is Colorado’s premier energy assistance foundation.

The MetroNorth Chamber named him Business Person of the Year in 2011 and recognized him with the Chairman’s Award in 2016. He was awarded the Pathfinder Award by Northeastern Junior College in 2015. In 2017, Whitmore was honored by Pro 15 with the Alumni of the Plains recognition. Director Whitmore is committed to building a world-class transit system that effectively serves constituents in all socio-economic classes and prompts economic development throughout the RTD service area.

Ian Harwick is a mostly native of Colorado, having spent his first 6 months in Ohio. He moved to Arvada in 1988 and has spent a good portion of his life there.

He graduated with a degree in Business Management from Johnson & Wales University, attending at their Providence campus, as well as their now-closed Denver campus.

Ian joined RTD in January 2023 after a write-in campaign in 2022. He has been a staunch advocate for transit, cycling, walking, and adaptive mobility for the last 20 years.

For his day job, Ian works for the City of Denver in the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency. His prior work at the city included a small stint at DDPHE (during the start of the Covid pandemic) and then a longer stay at the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner. Prior to his time there he spent ten years running a small consulting business and has been highly involved in the Athmar Park Neighborhood Association, Denver’s YIMBY’s and New Leaders Council.

He is now back in Arvada where he parents a feisty 6-year-old girl with his wife, Kristin. He spends his spare time fixing up his house, playing volleyball, and attempting to read more books.

Director Marjorie Sloan was elected as Director for District M on November 3, 2020, and sworn in on January 5, 2021. District M includes all of Golden, Lakeside, Mountain View, the majority of Lakewood and Wheat Ridge, and portions of unincorporated Jefferson County. 

Director Sloan has been Mayor of Golden, preceded by terms as city councilor and planning commissioner. In these roles, she has studied, worked on, and resolved transportation issues in Golden, District M, and the entire Regional Transportation District. She was Chair of the Denver Metro Mayors Caucus and a steering-committee member of the national Mayors Innovation Project.  She was recognized on International Women’s Day with the 2020 Jefferson County “Shattered Glass” award.

By profession, Director Sloan is a lawyer, having earned her law degree at the University of Colorado School of Law (graduating 3rd in her class). She has worked as a law clerk to the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court, a litigation partner in the Denver office of the national law firm BakerHostetler, and a staff attorney in the United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Director Peggy Catlin was sworn in as Director for RTD District N on March 27, 2018. She was selected by the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Tina Francone. District N is entirely in Jefferson County and serves unincorporated Jefferson County as well as the communities of Evergreen, Conifer, Morrison, Willow Springs and Ken-Caryl Ranch.

Director Catlin is a licensed professional engineer with a 39-year multi-disciplined engineering and management career holding leadership positions in both public and private sectors primarily focused in transportation. She has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Colorado State University and is currently the owner of Catlin & Company, which provides transportation consulting services in areas such as strategic planning, project management and alternative delivery systems. She is also currently serving on the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board Congestion Pricing Committee. She was the deputy executive director for Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) from May 2000 until June 2011 and represented the department on the DUSPA Board. Prior to her state service she was vice president for HNTB Corporation from May 1994 until March 2000 culminating in the design/build contract for Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Director Catlin served on the WTS (Women’s Transportation Seminar) International Advisory Board May 2002 to May 2006 and was a Charter Board Member for the Colorado Chapter where she was named WTS Woman of the Year in 2002. She was a member of Colorado State University Civil Engineering Advisory Board from 2003 to 2007, and served as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials from July 2004 to July 2005. Her work on the conversion of the I-25 HOV lanes to High Occupancy Toll lanes in partnership with RTD was awarded the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials annual award for planning in 2007. She was honored by the Mile High Girl Scout Council as a Woman of Distinction in 2009.

Director Lynn Guissinger was elected to the RTD Board of Directors in November 2018 and took office in January, 2019 representing District O. District O represents the most northwestern portion of the RTD area including all of the City of Boulder, Jamestown, Louisville, Lyons, Nederland, and Ward, the portion of Longmont west of North 95th St. and south of Mountain View Ave., all of Superior within Boulder County, and the majority of unincorporated Boulder County, generally lying west of North 95th St.

Director Guissinger is a small business owner and former attorney with broad experience in managing a business, and in financial analysis and creative fundraising.

Guissinger’s business, Catalyst Communication, partnered with city transportation departments around the country (including Seattle, Cambridge, Denver, Boulder, Tucson, Anchorage, and others) to market and promote their transit, biking, and walking options. Catalyst Communication worked for years in the bicycle and outdoor industries, and Guissinger has worked with advocacy efforts in these areas.

Guissinger graduated from CU Law School, and practiced law for a number of years. She clerked on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. After practicing law at Holland & Hart, Guissinger taught Land Use Planning and Local Government Law at CU Law School.

Civic and community activities include:

• City of Boulder Transportation Advisory Board (chair), 2005-2009
• Chair, Successful campaign for 2M and 2N, the Community Culture and Safety tax, 2017
• Commuting Solutions board
• Boulder Housing Partners Foundation board, president
• Colorado Fourteeners Initiative board
• Senior Fellow, Getches Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources and Environment, CU Law School, current
• Community Cycles Capital Campaign
• Focus Reentry, treasurer
• Emergency Family Assistance Foundation, past president, 1990s
• Intercambio Uniting Communities, past member 2009-2011
• City of Boulder Greenways Advisory Committee, 2007-2009
• Democratic Women of Boulder County, past president

Director Guissinger is passionate about helping build strong communities through transportation options that work for people’s lives. She is excited to represent much of Boulder County and the Northwest Corridor on the RTD board.