June Insights Series | Innovating Transportation - Changing the Way We Move

Description

Technology is reshaping how people, goods, and services move through the world. Join us for our June Insights Series as we explore the innovations driving the future of transportation, aviation, public transit, delivery systems, and more. Hear from local tech leaders as they discuss how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, and connected systems, are changing the way we move and redefining the future of transportation. Learn how organizations are building smarter, faster, and more resilient systems to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world.

Keynote Speaker:

Phil Washington, CEO, Denver International Airport

Phillip A. Washington was first nominated to lead Denver International Airport (DEN) by Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock in 2021 and re-nominated by Mayor Mike Johnston in 2023. Under his leadership, DEN became the third-busiest airport in the U.S. and sixth-busiest in the world in 2024, with a $47.2 billion annual economic impact. He oversees a $12.5 billion Capital Improvement Program focused on expanding and modernizing the airport, including new gates, security areas, a consolidated rental car facility, and the Great Hall terminal project. During his tenure, DEN achieved record passenger traffic, earned improved credit ratings, maintained strong safety inspection results, and launched the Center of Equity & Excellence in Aviation to create career pathways in the aviation industry.

Before joining DEN, Washington served as CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) from 2015 to 2021.

Panelists:

Joe Donohue, Executive Director, E-470

Mr. Donahue joined the Authority in November 2023 as the Interim Director of Finance and was named Director of Finance in April 2024.  Mr. Donahue was named Executive Director of the Authority in June 2024. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the tolling industry. He began his career at E470 in 2000, serving as Controller then as Director of Finance. During his tenure, he helped establish the Authority’s first long-term financial plan, multi-year capital and operating budget process, and long-term cash and debt management policies. His work contributed to leveling annual debt service payments that provides the Authority with significant financial flexibility now and into the future. He also played a key role in E470’s transition to All-Electronic Tolling in 2010. In 2012, Mr. Donahue began consulting toll agencies throughout the U.S. in areas of finance, operations, technology, and administration. Since returning to the Authority, Joe has led organizational restructuring efforts, guided updates to the strategic plan, and developed a new long-term financial plan to support the organization’s next 15–20 years. He was also elected to serve a four-year term on the Board of Directors for the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA).

Brett Feddersen, CITO, RTD

Brett Feddersen is a technology strategist and public sector innovator who serves as Chief Information and Technology Officer for RTD. With more than two decades of experience leading digital transformation, Brett has delivered measurable gains in customer experience, operational efficiency, and organizational agility.

At RTD, he spearheaded the Trans IT ARCHITECTED initiative—raising IT customer satisfaction by 35 points—and coordinated the agency’s technology response during the COVID19 pandemic, ensuring the organization remained connected and able to deliver on its mission throughout an exceptionally challenging period.  His earlier leadership at the City of Boulder helped earn national recognition for excellence in digital government.

With graduate training in Strategic Innovation and a reputation for collaborative, mission driven leadership, Brett builds high performing technology teams that turn complex challenges into practical, future ready solutions.

Adam Lane, Public Policy Manager for State & Local, Waymo

Adam Lane is a Public Policy Manager for State & Local at Waymo, the Autonomous driving technology company with a mission to be the worlds most trusted driver. In this role, he oversees Waymo’s relationship with policy and government stakeholders in southern California and several states across the United States. 

Prior to Waymo, Adam served as the Vice President of Government Affairs andPrograms for the Los Angeles Business Council, a progressive business advocacy and research organization, where he oversaw the organization/s government affairs strategy and public policy priorities in the areas of clean energy, economic development, environmental sustainability, homelessness, housing, and transportation. 

Juan Lucero, Senior Vice President and CIO, DEN

Juan Lucero is a certified Project Management Professional with over 35 years of experience delivering large complex Information Technology projects and programs.

In his current role at Denver International Airport (DEN), Juan is the Senior Vice President of the Business Technologies division and is the Chief Information Officer for the airport. Juan is responsible for overseeing the successful execution of DEN’s IT plans, ensuring that all functions are running efficiently, while maintaining a highly available and secure ecosystem. Juan’s team comprises 138 full-time employees, with another 60+ covering staff augmentation services and various managed service contracts. Juan manages a $30+ million-dollar annual IT budget that covers both operational and capital expenditures. 

Prior to joining the airport, Juan was with IBM for 26 years, where he held various positions ranging from Application Developer to Executive Program Manager.  Juan’s primary focus was delivering Application and System Integration efforts related to strategic projects and programs.  Juan used a variety of resource strategies to deliver results, including the use of global sourcing.

Juan holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Regis University, as well as a Master of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Denver.

Juan is a Colorado native and is married with two children and 3 grandchildren. He enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities, physical fitness and especially playing tennis.

Moderator:

Aylene McCallum, Director of Partnerships & Development, Open Mobility Foundation (OMF)

Aylene McCallum is the Director of Partnerships & Development at the Open Mobility Foundation (OMF), a global nonprofit helping cities and industry collaborate on the digital infrastructure and open data standards shaping the future of mobility. With more than 20 years of cross-sector leadership experience spanning mobility, urban planning, economic development, and civic innovation, she works at the intersection of technology, transportation, and public policy. Her work focuses on helping public and private sector partners navigate emerging transportation technologies—including connected systems, automation, curb management, and mobility data governance—to build smarter, safer, and more resilient cities. She is particularly passionate about how digital infrastructure, interoperable data standards, and cross-sector collaboration can improve the movement of people and goods while advancing broader goals around safety, sustainability, and economic opportunity.

Throughout her career, Aylene has specialized in solving complex civic challenges by aligning diverse stakeholders, designing strategic partnerships, and building organizations and programs that can translate innovation into real-world outcomes. Whether advancing equitable mobility initiatives, developing sustainable funding models, or guiding organizations through change, she brings a collaborative, systems-oriented approach grounded in curiosity, clarity, and follow-through.

While OMF is a fully remote organization, Aylene lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and two children. Outside of work, she enjoys being a soccer mom, thrifting, and traveling with her family.