The Denver City Council on Wednesday begins the formal process of reviewing Mayor Michael Hancock’s nominee to be the next leader of Denver International Airport, third busiest in the country.

Phil Washington, former leader of the Regional Transportation District and most recently chief executive officer of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), was picked by Hancock to take over as CEO for DIA, replacing Kim Day, who is retiring in July after 13 years.

The nomination will be taken up by the council’s business committee Wednesday. If the business committee moves the appointment forward, it will have to pass a full council vote in the coming weeks.

Washington talked to the Denver Gazette Monday about his qualifications to lead a large airport, his biggest accomplishments at LA Metro and the controversy surrounding a lawsuit against his former agency.

“Many things are transferrable,” said Washington of his skills honed leading two large transportation agencies. “My experience with leading rail projects to two airports is unparalleled as it brings a deeper understanding of construction and managing large projects. And my work with many employees at large organizations is transferrable, as is understanding the business, concessions and understanding the customer experience.”

As L.A. Metro’s CEO, Washington managed an $8 billion budget and oversaw $18-$20 billion in capital projects. L.A. Metro has 11,000 employees and transports 1.2 million boarding passengers daily on 2,200 clean-air buses and six rail lines.

LA Metro recently broke ground on rail service from the city to LAX, Los Angeles International Airport. That project, and many other capital improvements to public transportation infrastructure, comes from Measure M, which voters approved in 2016. It provides an estimated $860 million per year to public transportation improvements using a voter-approved sales tax increase for decades to come.

“It was from coalition building that we put that together,” Washington said. “You don’t pass a measure like that – the largest in the history of American infrastructure – by 71% without bringing people together for a common goal.”

The biggest priority for DIA in coming years includes the completion of the Great Hall improvements, the gate expansion project and continuing to improve the customer experience, Washington said.

“I bring a lot to that infrastructure space with my experience,” he said.

“I absolutely see the growth of DEN continuing,” Washington said. “The potential is off the charts. I think it has more potential than any other airport in the country – perhaps the world. With all the available real estate we have around DEN … it is well-positioned for the future growth.”

After city council members asked about the search process, the Mayor’s office sent more information, according to an email obtained by the Denver Gazette.

“The CEO of Denver International Airport is one of the most critical leadership positions in the Mayor’s Cabinet,” according to the email. “Phil Washington is a nationally recognized transportation leader who also knows and loves Denver.”

Hancock and Washington’s discussions started in the Spring after Day’s retirement announcement.

Washington said he let Denver officials – and others around the country – know that he would not be renewing his contract with LA Metro, which ended in May.

“I wanted to come back to Denver, I don’t make any bones bout that,” he said. “If any opportunities came up, I wanted folks to keep me in mind.”

Hancock’s office was interested in Washington because his experience as the former head of RTD brought “a deep knowledge of Denver and a commitment to our city.”

“Given the cost and time of a national search, and given the risks associated with leaving the airport CEO position vacant any longer than necessary, Phil represents an undeniable win-win opportunity,” according to the email from the Mayor’s office to councilmembers.

As far as the controversy of an active lawsuit against LA Metro, which also names Washington, he said it has no merit.

“It’s baseless in my mind,” Washington said. “Anyone can put in a complaint, whether it has merit or not. Regardless of what people call this, it’s not an investigation. It’s a review being done that’s been going on for a year. … I would not have put my name out there for this position if there was any impropriety with any contracts. … I ask people to look at my record of 25 years serving this country (in the Army) and my 20 years in public service.”

The lawsuit was filed from a self-described whistleblower, who LA Metro claims is disgruntled after being passed over for a promotion and being investigated herself. The case surrounds LA Metro’s contractor Peace Over Violence, which handled LA Metro’s “Off Limits” sexual harassment counseling hotline. Search warrants were served in February and March.

Peace Over Violence recently updated its webpage to dispute any claims of wrongdoing, stating: “There are no whistles to blow regarding the Off Limits project or the funding process, including the sole source/no-bid process that was initiated by (the self-described whistleblower) herself. All of POV’s activities and involvement have been transparent and above board over the last five years.”

Councilmember Kevin Flynn said he’s looking forward to the vetting process.

“Council will be setting the precedent for future cabinet appointees with our hearing next week, so I’m binge-reading our rules of procedure to make sure we don’t stumble out of the gate,” Flynn said in a Thursday email statement. “As for the news stories that have been published … I expect Mr. Washington will address in a direct and forthright way any questions we put to him. I’ve never known him to duck.”

Hannah Metzger contributed to this report.