After a month of questions and controversy, Mayor Michael Hancock’s nominee for the next CEO of Denver International Airport passed his first confirmation vote Wednesday.

The City Council business committee unanimously approved the confirmation of Phil Washington, advancing the decision to the full council for a final vote on July 12. This is the first time the council has had a committee hearing for a mayoral appointment since voters granted the council confirmation authority in the November 2020 election.

“(DIA) plays a critical role to our local economy and to our region. And the CEO of (DIA) is a critical leadership position, especially at this time,” Hancock said during the hearing. “I knew that Phil Washington was the guy and the type of person that I wanted to lead (DIA).”

Hancock said he nominated Washington without searching for any other candidates because he was confident Washington was right for the position, and because he didn’t want to waste time with a national search as Hancock only has two years left in his final term as mayor.

Washington has a long history with Denver, previously serving as assistant general manager, general manager and CEO of the Regional Transportation District from 2000 to 2015. Most recently, he worked as CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, leaving after his contract ended in May.

“I believe that (DIA) has a rare opportunity to shape the transformation of our region’s critical infrastructure,” Washington said. “A chance to provide aviation leadership at this pivotal, historic time would be a great honor. I believe that (DIA) can be the best airport in the world.”

Despite his extensive local and industry experience, Washington’s nomination has been clouded by controversy over the last few weeks due to an investigation launched against his former company, LA Metro.

The investigation surrounds LA Metro’s contractor Peace Over Violence, which handled the authority’s “Off Limits” sexual harassment counseling hotline. Search warrants were served in February and March, one of which specifically named Washington, according to court documents.

The lawsuit was filed by self-described whistleblower Jennifer Loew, who LA Metro claims is disgruntled after being passed over for a promotion and being investigated herself. The lawsuit alleges improprieties in the way Peace Over Violence operated the sexual harassment counseling hotline.

LA Metro and Peace Over Violence have released statements denying any wrongdoing and Washington himself dismissed Loew’s claims as “baseless,” Wednesday.

Despite widespread media coverage of the controversy and initial concern expressed by council members, the hearing committee appeared reassured in their support for Washington on Wednesday, asking few questions about the allegations.

“Any large organization has litigation,” Councilwoman Robin Kniech said. “The fact that a large organization has some of those types of things going on is not unique. … I have considered those things, and I do not find them to be a barrier to this candidate’s qualifications.”

Most questions asked by the committee centered on Washington’s lack of experience in the aviation industry, specifically.

To those concerns, Washington emphasized how his experience leading two large transportation agencies can transfer to aviation, including his work leading rail projects to two airports, managing employees and understanding the transportation business.

“I didn’t run a large transportation agency until I ran one,” Washington said. “All of this, in my mind, is mobility. We should not be stovepiped into just talking about aviation or just talking about highways. This is all about what we can do for a region. I think this region can be the transportation center of excellence for the entire country.”

Washington also discussed his many visions for the future of the airport, including increasing safety and security, making DIA the most environmentally sustainable airport in the U.S., making DIA a top preferred airport partner for airlines and improving customer service through better wayfinding.

One of Washington’s biggest priorities is expanding the airport. During the hearing, he said DIA should build for its 50-year capacity today, including building two more runways on top of the current one under construction and building 50 to 75 additional gates.

Washington, who would be DIA’s first Black CEO, also said he hopes to increase equity and diversity in the aviation industry by building an aviation training center at DIA, and making the airport a destination where people come to hang out even when they aren’t traveling, similar to Denver’s Union Station.

If approved by the full council, Washington would replace current DIA CEO Kim Day, who is retiring in July after 13 years in the position.

“Phil is truly a leader and that cannot be understated,” Councilman Chris Herndon said. “I’m excited about him wanting to take this position. I think it’s going to be great for the airport.”

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

As general manager of RTD, Washington led and implemented the FasTracks program, one of the largest voter-approved transportation expansion programs in the country at the time. He also helped secure a public-private partnership to bring the University of Colorado A Line from Union Station to DIA.

Washington also served in the U.S. Army for over 24 years, reaching the rank of Command Sergeant Major, and was appointed to the federal Transportation Transition Agency Review Team by President Joe Biden’s administration.

“We’re very lucky to have someone with your background, the caliber of what you bring to the table, who is interested in coming back home,” Councilman Jolon Clark said. “There are a million places you could go and a million things you could go. To bring everything you bring back home … that means a lot.”

Reporter Dennis Huspeni contributed to this report.