Board of Directors

Kate Williams was elected on November 8, 2016, to the RTD Board of Directors and represents District A, which includes portions of downtown Denver, Cherry Creek, Glendale, and Lowry. Director Williams is the Executive Director of DRMAC (the Denver Regional Mobility and Access Council) and is 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 as the Executive Director of the largest non-profit provider 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 ran an internationally known sports center for the disabled, a women’s foundation, and a shelter for victims of domestic violence. She served on the national faculty of US Sailing/US Powerboating, 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 manages the area’s Regional Coordinating Council for Human Service Transportation, and 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.

Shontel Lewis was elected to the RTD Board of Directors in November 2018 and took office in January 2019 representing the northeastern portion of of the Regional Transportation District. This area is comprised of Aurora within Adams County, City & County of Denver, and unincorporated Adams County lying south of Denver.

Shontel is a Colorado Native, transit rider and long-time community leader. She grew up in the Historic Five Points neighborhood and she is a proud graduate of Manual High School.

Shontel serves as an Associate Director for the Community Engagement Strategy and Advocacy (CESA) team for the Denver Public Schools (DPS). In this role, she works directly with school leaders, families, and students to identify opportunities and resources needed to support.

Prior to that, she served as the Transit Equity Specialist at the Regional Transportation District (RTD). In this role, she worked towards social equity with the commitment to authentic community engagement and shared decision-making. She previously lead as the Director of Equity and Innovation at Project V.O.Y.C.E, a non-profit that she co-founded after the closure of Manual High School.

She is a proud Emerge Colorado graduate, a Mayoral Appointee to the Denver Women’s Commission, and served on the Walk Denver Policy Committee, Denveright Community Think Tank and co-chaired the Advisory Board for the YMCA. Currently, she serves on the Board of Radian|Place Matters, a non-profit dedicated to creating healthy communities through a systems thinking approach that prioritizes creative community engagement, participatory design, and increased social equity.

Shontel is committed to equitable access, removing barriers and bringing diverse representation of all communities into RTD decision-making.

Director Rivera-Malpiede was elected to the RTD Board of Directors in November 2018 and took office in January 2019. She represents District C, which is centrally located in the northwest portion of the City and County of Denver and which covers all of Edgewater, portions of northwest Denver, and the areas of Wheat Ridge south of 38th Ave. and east of Wadsworth Blvd.

Angie is Vice President of the Foundation for Sustainable Urban Communities, managing the Sustainable Development Initiative, which includes advocacy and programs promoting alternative transportation modes. She is also Executive Director of Northeast Transportation Connections (NETC), a nonprofit that provides transportation solutions to the communities of northeast Denver.

Angie has held the position of Director for RTD District C for two previous terms, initially having been appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper in 2010. During her time in office she oversaw the opening of the new Denver Union Station and the expansion of the FasTracks public transit program, including the construction of the new University of Colorado A Line to Denver International Airport. She has held positions such as Chair of the Civil Rights Committee, Vice-Chair of the General Managers Oversight Committee, Secretary of the Board, and Member of the Executive Committee.

In 2013, Angie was appointed to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Hispanic Transportation Council and currently sits on the Mayor’s Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Prior to her position at NETC, Angie was the Marketing and Public Relations Director for Mi Casa Resource Center for Women, which focused on advancing the economic success of Latino families. Before that she served as Public Relations Coordinator and Co-Chair of the Diversity Team at the Rocky Mountain News, working to connect communities of diversity. She worked with the Girl Scouts Mile Hi Council for twenty years, where she developed programs that served high-risk girls and now serve as national models. She held the position of Public Relations and Fundraising Director for the Denver Center for Crime Victims, now the Center for Trauma and Resilience.

Angie is an avid mass transit advocate, and she is dedicated to establishing sustainable transportation options that are inclusive across all socioeconomic levels.

Director Jeff Walker was sworn in as Director for RTD District D on September 20, 2011. He was selected by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and confirmed by the Denver City Council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Director Barbara Brohl. South-centrally located, District D represents all of Bow Mar, Englewood, and Sheridan, portions of south Denver, southeast Lakewood, and Littleton, and portions of unincorporated Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties.

Director Walker has been employed by Xcel Energy since 2006. He was the Community Development Director for Norton, Ohio in the mid-1990s where he re-wrote several portions of the city's zoning and subdivision codes. He also worked as a transportation planner for OKI Regional Council of Governments in Cincinnati, Ohio and later for the Colorado Department of Transportation in Denver.

His civic activities in Denver include: West University Community Association Board of Directors from 2002 - 2004; Denver Planning Board from 2004 - 2010; American Planning Association Colorado Chapter Executive Committee from 2009 to 2012; and Denver Architectural Foundation Board of Directors from August 2011 to 2012. He currently sits on the Blueprint Denver Task Force and the Leadership APTA Committee.

A native of Akron, Ohio, Director Walker received a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from Miami University (Ohio) in 1987 and received a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Akron in 1993. He attended the University of Denver College of Law in 1999.

listen to the Telephone Town Hall event 4/2/18

Director Claudia Folska, PhD. was elected to the RTD Board in November 2012 and was installed in January 2013 as the RTD Board of Director representing District E, centrally located and representing portions of western Aurora, north-central Centennial, southern Denver, and Greenwood Village east of I-25 and portions of unincorporated Arapahoe County.

Director Claudia Folska, PhD. began to go blind at the age of five but she refused to accept her visual impairment as an impasse. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Psychology and received her MBA at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business. After beginning a dual doctorate in Architecture and Design at the University of Colorado, Denver in 2004 and cognitive science at University of Colorado, Boulder, she completed her dual Ph.D. in 2012.

Claudia and her recently married daughter and son-in-law rely primarily on public transportation. Claudia is passionate about public transit and is committed to improving the transit system so that it is more accessible to everyone.

A small business owner, Claudia is the principal of Virtual Vanguard Productions, a full-service production company dedicated to producing original and unconventional video and film content initiating public discourse. She is the creator and host of a cooking television series currently airing on Rocky Mountain PBS entitled “Cooking in the Dark” in which she explores local gastronomy and visits sustainable food producers and renowned Colorado chefs.

Claudia is the author of a book “Making ¢ of Pedestrian Oriented Developments-Feet on the Street” in which she examines and rethinks current auto-centered design paradigms for pedestrian-oriented developments. Claudia believes that if she can affect designs that are more accessible for the visually impaired, then she has indeed made it more accessible for all.

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 Ken Mihalik was elected to the RTD Board in November 2016 and took office in January 2017, representing District G. The most southeastern portion of RTD, District G includes all of Lone Tree and Foxfield, portions of Aurora, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Parker, and areas of unincorporated Arapahoe and Douglas Counties. 

Director Mihalik received his BBA from Texas A&M University, College Station and his MBA from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth. Since relocating to Colorado in 2007, he has worked at two south metro aerospace firms. He also has experience in both the automotive and chemical industries.

An avid gardener and beekeeper, Director Mihalik enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling the world with his wife Kelly. As a public servant, he is an advocate for his southeast metro constituents striving for fiscal responsibility and transparency.

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 Judy Lubow was first elected to the Board of Directors of the Regional Transportation District in November of 2012 and sworn in on January 8, 2013. She was re-elected to the Board in November of 2016 and sworn in on January 10, 2017. Judy is the Director for RTD District I, located in the northern RTD area and represents all of Lafayette, all of the portions of Broomfield and Erie that are within the District, portions of Longmont (except parts west of North 95th St. and south of Mountain View Ave.), Thornton north of 136th west of Holly St., and portions of unincorporated Adams County and Boulder County generally east of North 95th St.

Judy is a retired attorney with over thirty years of public service experience. Prior to being elected to the RTD Board, she worked for the Environmental Protection, where she was a Clean Air Act enforcement attorney handling pollution cases from the transportation sector. In addition, she took part in writing federal regulations controlling transportation sector air pollution. Judy previously worked as a Legal Aid attorney in Sullivan County in Upstate New York and as a consumer advocate at the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs.

Judy's volunteer activities include tenure on the boards of two local animal welfare organizations, as well as the board of Colorado Common Cause. Active involvement with local and national political campaigns - both candidate and issue-focused - has been another long term interest. In addition, she previously volunteered for many years with radio station KGNU, the local Boulder-Denver community radio station, both as an on-air news announcer and also as the producer of an independent environmental radio series.

Judy has abiding interests in protecting the earth, the species on the earth, and the integrity of our democracy. Concern and advocacy for effective mass transit is a natural outgrowth of these interests.

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. When Director Buzek moved to Colorado 25 years ago, he was impressed with RTD’s vision for a world class transit system and eager for its implementation. 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 by profession, graduated from Western Illinois University; IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law and the Harvard University/Kennedy School of Government’s program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. Director Buzek enjoys travelling with his wife, Karen; 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.

Shelley Cook was elected to the RTD Board of Directors in November 2018 and took office in January, 2019 representing District L. District L represents all of Arvada, a small portion of Westminster, unincorporated southwest Adams County and a portion of unincorporated Jefferson County.

Professionally, Shelley is the founder and general manager of Ride Provide, Inc., a Colorado non-profit that previously operated the A-Line shuttle, providing transport to and from DIA for over 13 years. Ride Provide recently launched and now operates the Arvada Veggie Van, a mobile farm stand bringing fresh, locally-grown produce to food desert neighborhoods in central and southeast Arvada.

Shelley’s prior public service includes three terms on the Arvada City Council where she focused on transportation policy and planning including for the G Line. She has long been a proponent of public transit and her goals include expanding access and convenience for all residents.

A Colorado native, Shelley grew up in Adams County and since 1983 has lived in Olde Town Arvada. Her B.S. and M.B.A. are from the University of Colorado, and she earned an M.P.A. from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.

Natalie Menten grew up in Denver and moved to Lakewood in 1988. She was re-elected to the Board of Directors in 2016. She represents District M, located in the western RTD area and represents all of Golden, Lakeside, and Mountain View, the majority of Lakewood and Wheat Ridge, and portions of unincorporated Jefferson County.

Director Menten’s core beliefs allow her to vote for the people, limited government and against wasteful spending. She is passionate about representing citizens at a grassroots level in legislative manners and was honored with the Vern Bickel award for leadership for her work in promoting legislation requiring greater transparency by state government and school districts. Natalie will continue to push for financial transparency at the Regional Transportation District which leads to more accountability and savings to taxpayers.

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, partners 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 efforts.

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, current
• Boulder Housing Partners Foundation board, president, current
• Colorado Fourteeners Initiative board, current
• Senior Fellow, Getches Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources and Environment, CU Law School, current
• Community Cycles Capital Campaign, current
• Focus Reentry, treasurer, current
• 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.