Executive Leadership Team

Tamra J. Ward

Tamra J. Ward is one of three principals of Taloma Partners, a full-service public affairs firm in Denver, Colorado that offers senior-level counsel to clients in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

With 30 years of experience in local, state and federal government affairs, issue management, communications and operational leadership and oversight, Tamra’s approach in both business and civic engagement include her ability to quickly assess situations and stakeholders; clearly define steps to meet a vision or goals; building and maintaining high-performing teams and coalitions; a successful track record in raising financial resources, and strong relationships in Colorado’s government, business and nonprofit communities.

Prior to co-founding Taloma, Tamra served as the Chief External Relations Officer for Denver Zoo, the largest cultural and scientific guest attraction in Colorado. In this executive-level role she was responsible for visioning, managing and executing strategic local, state and federal government relations efforts, ballot issue and bond campaign engagement, community outreach and action, marketing, communications and public relations for the iconic and beloved 120-year-old organization.

Tamra also served as the President and CEO of Colorado Concern, a business advocacy association of more than 115 chief executives. While in this role she grew membership revenue by 25 percent, strengthened the organization’s organizational and governance culture, and successfully spearheaded a coalition focused on strengthening the fiscal transparency of the state’s ballot issue process with the passage of landmark legislation.

Before joining Colorado Concern, Tamra was the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, where she was responsible for the development and execution of a government relations and political strategy that met the needs of the organization’s 3,000 member businesses, as well as executing an organization-wide internal and external communications plan. Ward is also known for her work as the business community lead on statewide ballot measures. Since 2005 she led efforts to raise $28 million for successful campaigns to support or defeat measures viewed as helpful or harmful to Colorado’s economic climate.

A graduate of Baylor University, Tamra’s career began on Capitol Hill, where she served as Assistant Press Secretary for Sen. Alan Simpson, Press Secretary for Rep. Craig Thomas and Deputy Chief of Staff following Thomas’ election to the Senate. Prior to moving to Denver, the Wyoming native served as the Vice President of Marketing and Development for Columbia Hospital for Women, a private, not-for-profit hospital in Washington, D.C.

Tamra is a graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Denver Program, and was named by the Denver Business Journal as one of Denver’s “40 Under 40”—an annual list of Denver’s up and coming business leaders. She currently serves as the Chair of the History Colorado Board of Directors, and as a trustee of Mile High United Way and ARC Thrift Stores. She has been named a “Woman of Distinction” by the Mile High Chapter of the Girl Scouts, and one of the state’s “Top 25 Most Powerful Women” by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

Kara Swanson

Kara Swanson has 20 years of experience as an environmental professional and currently serves as a project manager and client manager for David Evans and Associates, Inc. She has diverse experience, ranging from managing planning and environmental studies to conducting oversight of environmental compliance for large design-build projects. Kara brings a unique perspective to the transportation industry from her experience on transit and highway projects across the country and US territories. She served as a City Councilwoman for the City of Edgewater for four years, is currently on the Edgewater Redevelopment Authority, and serves as a Metro Director for the Colorado Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies. Kara has a BS in Environmental Science from Iowa State University and an MS in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University.

Alan R. Eckman, PE, PTOE, MBA

Alan Eckman is a Vice President with AECOM and lives in Golden with his wife Amanda of 21 years and two children.   He brings over 23 years of experience delivering great projects for great clients in Colorado and regularly works with a global team of experts within AECOM to deliver unique services and capabilities across the business.   He leads business strategy, advancing innovation and technology in the industry, and advising Colorado and national client teams with program and project delivery.

Alan is a 5^th generation Colorado native with continuing ties to farming and ranching, has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from CSU, an MBA from UC-Denver, and Executive Leadership Certificate from UCLA.  He has been involved in several organizations including the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership program and EDC Board of Governors, ARTBA leadership foundation, Downtown Denver Partnership, ITE, WTS, and ACEC.

Corey Biddle

Larry Gallegos

Mr. Gallegos founded LS Gallegos & Associates Inc, (LSG) in 1988 with the goal of advancing best practices for program and project management for planning and delivering major transportation and public works capital infrastructure programs. His 40 + years career began with Bechtel Corporation in San Francisco, CA followed by leadership positions at the Denver Regional Transportation District and at Kellogg Corporation, a nationally recognized claims resolution and project management consultant firm. Since founding LSG he has led teams to provide project management consulting and on-site support services on some of the largest transportation programs in North America. He is a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI), and Construction Management Association of America, Colorado Chapter and served as its President in 2014 and 2015. Other memberships include Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS), Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), and Hispanic Contractors or Colorado, (HCC).

Mr. Gallegos is a 5th generation Colorado native. He earned B.S. Civil Engineering and Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degrees from the University of Denver. He also earned a Leadership Certificate as a participant in the Denver Community Leadership Forum, from the University of Colorado Center for Public/Private Partnerships.

Brendan Carroll

Randy Grauberger

Randy Grauberger is a Senior Rail Consultant with Quandel Consultants.  Randy joined Quandel in March of 2021 after completing his 2-year assignment as Project Director for Colorado’s Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission. Prior to joining the Rail Commission in 2019, Randy served as Senior Project Manager for WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff for 14 years.  Randy led several major rail studies, both passenger and freight for numerous clients.  This work included State Rail Plan and Rail Passenger Service Development planning. Prior to this work in the private sector Randy retired from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) after more than 28 years serving as Branch Manager in the Planning Division and leading CDOT’s Rail Programs.

Randy and his wife Cally enjoy spending time with their 3 grandchildren and playing as much golf as possible!

Jeff Kullman

Jeff Kullman, P.E. is a seasoned leader with a demonstrated history working within both the public and private sector of the transportation infrastructure industry – always focused on improving Colorado’s quality of life. Through his 40 years of tenure, he has been engaged in transportation policy and finance and has a comprehensive understanding of the details of political and agency processes, and the significant transportation challenges confronting Colorado. Jeff is currently working for Kullman Engineering Group providing expertise and specialized services to select clients in the industry. He has been a member of Move Colorado since 2008 and served as its President from 2011-2017.  Jeff also currently serves on the DRCOG Regional Transportation Committee, the CU Denver Engineering Leadership Council and is a member of both WTS and ITE.  A 4^th generation Colorado native, Jeff received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University.

Tony Milo

Tony Milo was named Executive Director of the Colorado Contractors Association in April 2005. He is responsible for the day to day management of the Association and particularly enjoys working on legislation to advance and protect  Colorado’s infrastructure industry.

Prior to joining CCA, Tony was Executive Director of the Michigan Road Builders Association and has accumulated more than 20 years of experience representing the infrastructure construction industry through work for major trade Associations including the Highway Users Federation, Michigan Manufacturers Association and Michigan Asphalt Paving Association.

Tony earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from James Madison College of Michigan State University and a Master of Management degree from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tony enjoys playing golf, a great glass of wine, traveling, hiking and is a diehard Michigan State Spartans fan.

Carla Romero Perez

Carla Romero Perez is a Senior Strategic Consultant with HDR and has more than 30 years of experience in executive management and advisory services specializing in transportation policy, finance, administration, governmental affairs, communications and program development. Ms. Perez gained her experience in both the public and private sector having served as Transportation Policy Advisor to Governor Ritter, Assistant General Manager for Administration at RTD, and Policy Director for CDOT. Ms. Perez has also provided consulting services to various corporate clients including JP Morgan, George K. Baum and various engineering firms. Carla recently served as project manager, leading the governance and policy efforts to advance the development of passenger rail along the Front Range, from Fort Collins to Pueblo, and serves as Past-President of the Move Colorado Board of Directors, COMTO Colorado Board of Directors, and the WTS Executive Advisory Committee.

Ms. Perez is a Denver native, has a B.A. from Colorado State University, her M.P.M. from University of Maryland College Park, with certificates in Public Policy from Harvard University, the Rand Corporation and S.U.N.Y. Stoney Brook.

Danielle Smith, PE

Danielle Smith, PE is the Central Region and West Region Director for Triunity, Inc. She has seasoned professional experience in public transportation project delivery, encompassing the project and program management and the design of highway, light rail and traffic-related projects. Danielle has worked and served in the Colorado Transportation Industry for over 26 years, and was intimately involved in the nationally recognized RTD multi-modal project T-REX and the RTD FasTracks project. Her experience includes program management, stakeholder coordination, highway and light rail design, utility coordination, project controls, cost estimating, and project coordination.

Danielle is a competent and skilled leader that will enhance any project or team at a company. She has great communication and the ability to lead teams to implement projects and bring them to completion with high satisfaction. She also has been the Discipline leads of office departments where she manages the day to day activities and staff utilization on projects.  Danielle also serves on the WTS International Board as the Secretary, impacting the growth and advancement of Transportation at a national level.