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RTD names a deputy CEO

The Regional Transportation District will have a deputy CEO starting March 17.

Angel Peña was named as the agency’s first deputy CEO, according to a press release last week.

The transit organization conducted a national search to fill the role. Peña’s 25 years of experience includes leadership roles working for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Washington D.C.’s subway system and the District Department of Transportation. He also has experience in the private sector as the vice president and rail and transit leader for the Texas and Mountain region at STV, Inc.

“Angel’s extensive background in transforming transit infrastructure, enhancing operational performance, and rebuilding public trust has prepared him well for this pivotal leadership role at RTD,” said Debra A. Johnson, RTD’s general Manager and CEO, in the release.

Peña will be responsible for pushing RTD’s goal on making its transit system safer and more reliable, running day-to-day operations and management of RTD divisions including capital programs, safety and environmental compliance, civil rights, contracting and procurement and planning.

“I recognize the challenges that may exist and see numerous opportunities for enhancing the services provided to customers, whom I look forward to meeting when I ride on the system,” Peña said in the release.

Law firm expands to Denver

Reed Smith, a law firm with more than 30 locations around the world, has a new office in Denver.

The new Denver office debuted with 20 lawyers and is the second Reed Smith location that opened in the last month, following after their Atlanta expansion with an office of 37 lawyers.

Reed Smith’s Denver location is its 20th in the U.S. and 33rd worldwide.

“Our clients are enthusiastic about our presence in Denver. Like Atlanta, Denver is a vibrant, fast-growing market,” said Casey Ryan, Reed Smith’s global managing partner, in a press release. “This expansion is aligned with our growth strategy and builds on the strength and experience of our private equity, finance and technology teams.”

The Denver office will help the law firm grow in markets such as emerging technology, global commercial disputes, real estate and insurance recovery, according to Reed Smith.

The law firm is still looking to hire trial lawyers, insurance recovery lawyers and real estate practitioners, said Julie Hardin, Reed Smith’s managing partner in the Americas.

“We will continue to build in Denver by recruiting top-of-the-market lawyers who are eager to grow their practices and leverage our industry focus and global capabilities,” Hardin said. “This is just the beginning.”

New brewery debuts IPA

Colorado-based Broken Hops Brewing Co. is ready to hit the shelves.

The brewery announced it will start selling its flagship West Coast and Hazy India Pale Ales across the metro Denver area, using techniques from traditional German lager brewing.

Broken Hops Brewing was founded by Christopher O’Connor, the vice president of operations at Prost Brewing Company, as a side project.

“I created Broken Hops to showcase my love for German brewing principles, looking to the past for inspiration on what the future of IPAs could be,” O’Connor said in a press release. “With these modern IPAs as the vehicle, Broken Hops showcases how clean and vibrant the style can be, and how these techniques can make an unforgettable finished product.”

The West Coast IPA has 7% ABV and is “packed with hop flavor and bitterness” with strong traces of herbal grapefruit. The Hazy IPA has 7.3% ABV and features notes of peach, strawberry, citrus and stone fruit hop with light bitterness.

Bernadette Berdychowski, The Denver Gazette