Welcome to COMTO Colorado
COMTO was created to provide a forum for senior minority professionals in the transportation industry.
The voice of Equity.
COMTO’s mission is to provide full access to employment, career and contract opportunities for minorities within the transportation industry. Over the past thirty years, our mandate has evolved to include not only public transportation industry executives, but also professionals at every level of industry encompassing a variety of fields and disciplines. Now, as was then, members are encouraged to share information, opportunities and personal expertise. With 39 chapters throughout the United States, our mission is as relevant today as we strive to provide full access to employment, career and contract opportunities for minorities within the transportation industry. A small group of professionals committed to this mission, founded the Colorado Chapter of COMTO in May 2004.
Leadership
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Rico Nelson
President
Rico Nelson’s expertise includes organizational and leadership development, talent recruiting and bench strength building, profit and loss management, and strategic business operations leadership. He has planned, designed, and facilitated organizational leadership committees and forums that included all levels of company executives and employees to formulate strategies for long-term business success.
During his career, he has created compelling business plans and driven revenue generation for high-growth companies such as MassMutual Colorado, where he previously served as the agency’s Senior Executive Vice President of Organizational Development. His additional experience includes tenure as Partner/General Agent, Associate General Agent, Managing Director, and Financial Representative with Wealth Strategies Group- among other roles in the Financial Services industry. He has also worked in event promotion for the Ministry of Promise Keepers. During his rise to executive-level leadership, Rico served as public spokesperson for the organizations he’s led, has been a primary platform presenter for large industry and non-industry events, and has cultivated his capacity to engage a diverse community of constituents.
He has partnered with corporate leaders across a broad spectrum and developed enterprise-level solutions, optimized business processes, and achieved operational objectives while increasing profitability and shareholder value. Being chosen to lead high-profile efforts in environments where deadlines are a priority has characterized his success to date.
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James Ellis
Vice President
Mr. Ellis brings over 30 years of experience in program management, organizational development, construction project management, program and project-strategic development, alternative project delivery, claims avoidance, and project planning. Vice President James Ellis will work with the President on all matters specific to advancing COMTO Colorado’s mission.
"Our economy today feels particularly uncertain, and yet more public and federal resources are available to do what we do than at any other time in our history. We also know this historic opportunity exists in a small, shrinking window and time frame. It only makes sense then that COMTO Colorado is not bringing people and companies together to do what they can do on their own. Rather, we are bringing people and companies together in pursuit of a dream that is so large that it requires all of us. As we reimagine COMTO Colorado, our vision of equity is assisting businesses to be positioned and prepared to get their fair share of this opportunity while also using the present to build a more successful future. -
Jeremy Haywood
Secretary
Jeremy Haywood serves as a Roadway Group Leader for RS&H. He has engineering experience in three sectors: government, public agency, and private consulting. His government experience was as an army engineering program manager over a 170-member engineering organization. In the army, he managed several construction and base improvement projects. In the public sector, he was an architecture and engineering project manager for Harris County, where he managed the schedule, budget, and scope for 12 capital improvement projects. At RS&H, Jeremy has spent most of his time coordinating all submittals, designing, and working on plan production for the I-25 design-build project. Jeremy Haywood serves as a Roadway Group Leader for RS&H. He has engineering experience in three sectors: government, public agency, and private consulting. His government experience was as an army engineering program manager. In the army, he managed several construction and base improvement projects. In the public sector, he was an architecture and engineering project manager for Harris County, where he managed the schedule, budget, and scope for 12 capital improvement projects. At RS&H, Jeremy has led the roadway group and managed and designed multimodal projects. As Secretary, Jeremy Haywood will work with the President on all matters specific to advancing COMTO Colorado’s mission.
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Mary Catherine Carroll
Secretary
Mary Catherine Carroll serves as an instrumental figure within Civil Technology, a Denver-based MWBE in construction management. As part of the executive leadership team, Ms. Carroll assumes pivotal responsibilities in the organization’s day-to-day operations and spearheads the formulation and execution of strategic objectives. She is crucial in driving the company's growth with a primary focus on communications, marketing, technology integration, and pursuing lucrative proposals. As Secretary, Ms. Carroll will work with the President on all matters specific to advancing COMTO Colorado’s mission.
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Tanya Davis
Treasurer
Tanya Davis has been a public servant for more than 15 years. Her focus has been on helping small businesses for the last eight years. She is the Business Learning and Development Manager within the Commerce Hub at Denver International Airport. Before joining the Commerce Hub, Tanya was the Division of Small Business Opportunity manager within the City and County of Denver’s Economic Development & Opportunity Division. Tanya has held various leadership positions within the City and County of Denver since 2013. She enjoys connecting small businesses and people to the opportunities that the City and County of Denver provides.
Before becoming a public servant, Tanya worked in the private sector as an Auditor. She has a BS in Accounting and a Master's degree in Professional Studies in Organizational and Professional Communication with a specialty in Alternative Dispute Resolution. She is attaining her PhD in Leadership and Change Management from Antioch University. Also, Tanya is a certified Project Management Professional. She looks forward to connecting with your business and you soon.
As Treasurer, Tanya Davis will work with the President on all matters specific to advancing COMTO Colorado’s mission.
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Jonnie Thomas
Board member
Jonnie has over 35 years of experience in communications engineering and design for rail, transit, and large infrastructure projects. He has a proven track record of working successfully with various local and regional agencies such as Sound Transit, TriMet, Regional Transportation District (RTD), Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), and Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Jonnie is also the co-founder and CEO of Triunity. His 35 years of experience have encompassed electrical design and construction management expertise for large infrastructure projects.
As a COMTO Colorado Executive Board Member, Jonnie Thomas will work with and advise the Executive Committee on all matters specific to advancing our mission.
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Kelli Kelly
Board member
Kelli Kelly currently serves as Business Development & Strategy Director for Kiewit. Her primary function is to develop client, community, and industry engagement strategies to drive and support the pursuit and delivery of critical infrastructure projects, focusing on socio-economic equity and inclusion. In her 18+ years of industry experience, she has served in various roles, including proposal management, community outreach, business development, and head of diversity and inclusion. Kelli volunteers with several community organizations focused on education and economic development and currently serves on numerous boards, including the Denver Workforce Development Board, the Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists, and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Colorado Chapter. Kelli holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.
As a COMTO Colorado Executive Board Member, Kelli Kelly’s role will be working with and advising the Executive Committee on all matters specific to advancing our mission.
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Michael Unger
Board member
Michael has 30 years of experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams, working proactively with owners, developers, stakeholders, and partners. He has a history of consensus building, helping government agencies, partners, and communities come together to deliver projects that balance diverse needs. His leadership encompasses operational oversight, team building, market strategy, project visioning, design, and construction project development. As a COMTO Colorado Executive Board Member, Mr. Unger will work with and advise the Executive Committee on all matters specific to advancing our mission.
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Stephen Pouliot
Board member
Steve’s engineering career spans over 30 years in Colorado and the West, leading large multi-discipline projects and maintaining successful business partnerships within the transportation industry. Steve is currently the Vice President and Office Executive for Michael Baker International in Denver and has held office and regional leadership positions for consulting firms from small to large. He is a member of COMTO Colorado’s Executive Board, WTS Colorado, ACEC Colorado’s Transportation Committee, MOVE Colorado’s Membership Committee, the I-70 Mountain Corridor Coalition, and the Aurora Metro Chamber of Commerce. He has facilitated small business panels and presented for COMTO Colorado and Connect2DOT (CDOT) on the topics of Strategies for Growth and Partnership and Inspiring Partnerships: The Importance of Supporting Small Business.
News
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