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People News: Denver RTD; Railroad Consultants

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Pictured: Robert Grado, outgoing Chief of Police and Emergency Management, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District, and Ann Holland, Vice President Operations, Railroad Consultants.

Pictured: Robert Grado, outgoing Chief of Police and Emergency Management, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District, and Ann Holland, Vice President Operations, Railroad Consultants.

At Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District (RTD), Chief of Police and Emergency Management Robert Grado is stepping down. Also, Murfreesboro, Tenn.-based Railroad Consultants has appointed Ann Holland as Vice President Operations.

After 12 years of service, Robert Grado is leaving Denver RTD “to pursue other endeavors,” the transit agency reported on March 9. As Chief of Police and Emergency Management, he has led a number of initiatives, such Transit Watch programs and creating a comprehensive recruiting, testing and background investigation program for prospective hires. Grado has also expanded training for RTD Transit Police officers and created a process to formalize video investigations, resulting in millions of dollars in agency liability claim savings and high-quality criminal investigations, according to Denver RTD.

Grado started his agency career in June 2021 as a Police Commander, and was later tasked with overseeing the Emergency Operations Coordination (EOC) for RTD leadership. In March 2017, Grado was promoted to acting Chief of Police, and assumed the role of Chief of Police and Emergency Management in July 2017. 

“I have had the opportunity to work with incredibly talented genius-level engineers on technology projects, and had the opportunity to pioneer new technology and incident management programs that have been duplicated and recognized around the world,” said Grado, a 35-year law enforcement veteran. “I have also fond memories of the relationships that I have built with my incredible teammates and within the communities that RTD serves. It has been amazing to be part of leaving our mark in transit and being the team that our peer agencies call for advice. I am so thankful to RTD for the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as the Chief for this division.”

At Railroad Consultants (RC), Ann Holland will serve on the executive team as Vice President Operations. She worked most recently for Union Pacific (UP), managing supply chain asset disposition for engineering. Holland is also proficient in operations analysis, having worked directly with crew dispatch, as well as network planning, business process, and financial forecasting, according to RC.

“With her rail industry background, Ann brings a breadth and depth of operational knowledge,” said Derek B. Godwin, President/CEO of RC, which provides railroad engineering, construction, and field service support to Class I and short line railroads, passenger rail agencies, rail-served industry, and state departments of transportation. “From crew support services to fiscal management and contract fulfillment, Ann will help RC to continue to grow.”

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