Staff and Board of Directors

Lisa joined the Via team in 2003. Over her more than two decades with Via, Lisa has served as a Call Center Lead, Call Center Supervisor, Paratransit and Community Manager, and Director of Paratransit and Mobility before moving into the Director of Operations role. This experience enhanced her knowledge to serve Via’s riders and her team better, and her institutional knowledge is a cornerstone of Via’s continued success.

Having worked with many nonprofits, Lisa joined Via because she was looking for a job that helped people and made a difference in their lives. To Lisa, mobility means the freedom and independence to travel where you need to go, safely, affordably, and without limits.

In her free time, Lisa loves spending time with her family, and she enjoys flexing her creative muscles through home decor projects.

Effective January 1, 2025, Dena Boutwell will step into the role of Deputy General Manager. For six years, she has led Via’s Safety & Training program, ensuring top safety standards and strong partnerships with RTD and local governments.

In her new role, Dena will continue overseeing Safety & Training while supporting company-wide initiatives, representing Via in public meetings, and strengthening partnerships, including pursuing direct-pay paratransit contracts.

Dena joined Via in 2018 after a decade at Boulder Valley School District as a Transportation Supervisor. She also has experience in human resources, regulatory compliance, and special needs transportation. Her leadership has driven a 40% reduction in automobile safety incidents, reinforcing her commitment to community service.

Passionate about mobility and safety, Dena sees this role as a perfect fit. “Via is one of the most supportive and caring organizations I’ve worked for,” she shared. In her free time, she enjoys camping, jogging, hiking, and time with family and friends.

Frank Bruno
Chief Executive Officer

Frank began his tenure as Via’s Chief Executive Officer in 2016. Before joining the Via team as an employee, he served for seven years on its Board of Directors. Two of those years he was Board President. Serving in this capacity gave Frank a deep insight into the importance of Via’s work and provided him insight into the areas that the organization could grow.

To Frank, mobility is about dignity and independence. At one point, Frank experienced the need for Via’s services firsthand. After foot surgery, he could not drive for many weeks. Click here to read about Frank’s experience as a temporary Via rider.

Frank earned his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Business from St. John’s University in New York City and his Master of Science in Labor and Industrial Relations and Human Resources Management. Before Via, he served the following roles in Boulder: President and CEO of Western Disposal, City Manager of Boulder, and Vice Chancellor for the University of Colorado-Boulder. Prior to this, he was Assistant City Manager for the City of Fort Collins. He began his career in New York City as a project manager and later as Assistant Vice President for the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. 

“I am very honored to lead this organization. After a career spanning more than 40 years, Via is indeed a highlight for me,” Frank said. He is proud to be an integral part of building an exceptional team of employees dedicated to all the people Via serves.

Frank lives in Boulder with his wife, two sons, and four dogs. He is an avid writer of stories, loves to try to play guitar, and is absolutely nuts about dogs.

A Colorado native, Britney joined Via in 2021. She comes to Via from an organization that helped underserved adolescents with severe mental health disorders. There, Britney found herself thrust into the HR world after working as a receptionist for only two months. Over her seven and a half year tenure with that company, she served as a Recruiter, HR Generalist/Manager, and HR Director. Britney brings diverse HR experience to the Via team.

To Britney, mobility means having the independence to move freely and easily from point A to B. She loves Via’s mission and feels philosophically aligned with Via’s work. Britney enjoys being part of a company that is very people forward and provides flexibility to ensure that employees are taken care of because this means that she can also spend more time with her family.

Britney was born and raised on the Western Slope and attended Colorado Mesa University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration focused on Management and Marketing. Eight years ago, she moved to the Front Range with her husband, and in late 2020, they welcomed their first child, a daughter, into their family. She enjoys the flexibility Via gives her to spend more time with her baby girl.

Craig joined the Via team in 2014 after retiring from a successful career in education. He was introduced to Via when he signed his father up for Via’s paratransit service. Via helped Craig’s father regain his independence, and, in turn, Craig wanted to give back to Via.

He started his Via career as a driver and has had the invaluable experience of holding several positions during his tenure. Craig has been a Receptionist, HR Assistant, Trainer, and Training Coordinator before moving into his current role as Manager of our Professional Development and Training Department.

To Craig, mobility is the ability to move from one place to another. It’s about being independent and self-sufficient.

Craig loves all that Boulder and Colorado have to offer and regularly takes advantage of living in a beautiful place.

Denise started at Via as a driver in 1999. Over the years, she moved into the role of Operations Specialist and eventually took over as the Founding Mission Services Manager. She attended University in Northern Colorado with a major in Elementary Education. Before Via, Denise was a teacher for a Head Start school.

Denise is a compassionate and caring person; helping others in need has always been one of her goals. Working for Via helps Denise give back to the community.

To Denise, mobility means the ability to move or be moved freely and easily. “This is what we give our passengers,” Denise shared.

In her free time, Denise loves to be outdoors. She enjoys hiking and spending time in her garden.

España joined the Via team in 2019. As part of Via’s Mobility Team, España serves as the first point of contact for new clients – a job she greatly enjoys. Being bilingual and having the ability to help new riders in her native language is very important work to España. 

Knowing that she personally contributes to helping our community is a great accomplishment for España. She has really connected with Via’s vision and culture and feels this is the right place to be.

To España, mobility is the ability to be able to move around easily and independently.

Outside of work, España enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending as much time as possible with her family.

Nayeli is passionate about giving back to the community she grew up in, having spent her formative years in Boulder County. Working for Via aligns perfectly with her values and dedication to community service. Outside work, she channels her creativity into digital art and enjoys spending quality time with her family. Nayeli is driven to contribute to making a positive impact through Via’s mission.

Leslie joined the Via team in 2019. Leslie enjoys the feeling of community and acceptance at Via. She loves Via’s social enterprise business model that uses earned income contracts to support Via’s missions services. 

Before Via, Leslie spent 20 years in public accounting, supporting and consulting with businesses and individuals to help them grow and meet their financial goals.

To Leslie, mobility is being able to make choices on where we go in life. 

Outside of work, Leslie enjoys hiking, biking, camping, reading, pilates, quiet time, and most importantly, laughing!

Bob joined Via in 2012 and manages the HOP service in Boulder and other fixed routes. Over the years he also served as a vehicle detailer, a driver, and an Operations Specialist. These experiences gave him a first-hand understanding about Via’s transit operations, which is serving him well in his managerial role.

Bob says he is grateful for working with amazing teammates. “Serving is what it’s all about for me,” he says. He is committed to continuing serving the community as a Via employee.

Bob loves to spend his free time with his family, especially his young granddaughters.

Christine joined Via in 2016 as a late-night driver for the HOP division. She soon began driving for other seasonal HOP routes including the Park to Park shuttle, Chautauqua Concert series, and Eldo Shuttle. Christine was promoted to the field trainer role, assisting Via’s drivers meet a high safety standard. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her 25-year medical background helped her implement effective sanitation routines to protect passengers and staff. Christine continually became more involved in office positions such as dispatching and as a backup operations specialist. Her extensive experiences inform her work in her current role as a Trainer, where she brings valuable insights to driver training. In her spare time, Christine loves spending time with her family and three grandchildren, cheering them on at every sporting event, recital, and concert.

Phil has over 12 years of experience in the transportation industry and more than a decade of experience assisting in safety compliance. He is a current state-certified CDL tester (Class B with Passenger and School Bus endorsements). Phil is a transportation training expert with experience in maintaining compliance and records for all Federal, State, and Department regulations; training and mentoring drivers on safety, regulations, and annual reviews; interviewing and hiring new employees; helping with drug and alcohol compliance. As a semi-Boulder Native who graduated from Fairview High School,  Phil is looking forward to assisting Via with serving our community.

Bill joined the Via team in 2015. Before Via, Bill built a company from start-up to success to acquisition and learned a lot along the way. He has participated on nonprofit boards for over 30 years and has seen firsthand how a strong board of directors teamed with good management can succeed.

Bill was drawn to Via because he wanted to use his business experience to contribute to a high-performing nonprofit organization. Via’s consistent growth has provided a welcome challenge to Bill, and he enjoys applying his skills and learning even more from his coworkers and associates. He feels lucky to have found his role with Via.

To Bill, mobility is freedom. Humans inherently need to be mobile, and Via makes that possible for many who face limited mobility options.

Outside of work, Bill loves to be outdoors. He enjoys golfing, hiking, bicycling, and traveling the world.

Mark joined the Via team in 2020 when Via took over operations of Seniors’ Resource Center’s transportation division. Mark brings to Via more than 20 years of experience in transportation services, and he is a Certified Community Transit Manager.

To Mark, mobility means freedom.

Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending his time working on woodworking projects.

Crystal began her journey at Via in 2018 as a reservationist. After a brief departure, she rejoined the team in 2022. “I love building relationships with our clients on the phone,” Crystal shares. “I love to make them happy and make their day.” In February 2023, Crystal changed roles to become a Mobility Specialist and has grown to thrive in public outreach to the community. Grateful for her supportive colleagues, she feels at home at Via. Outside of work, Crystal enjoys outdoor activities with her husband, three children, and her beloved dog.

Alex has worked for Via since 2004. He attended Northwestern University and Coe College, majoring in Pre-Med and Music, respectively. Prior to Via, he worked for University Hospital for six years in a variety of roles, HR Benefits Representative, HRIS Analyst, IT Analyst, and Database Analyst.

Alex has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Broomfield and assisted with organizing their network and computer refurbishing area. He’s also a huge advocate for organ transplant donations; he was the fortunate recipient of a liver donation in 1998.

To Alex, mobility means having the independence to go out and participate in your community and participate in activities with your friends and family.

Alex brings his innate ability to communicate highly-technical concepts to any staff and audience to Via. Alex currently lives in Broomfield with his wife and has two grown children. In his free time, he enjoys reading, collecting and playing guitars, and jamming out to old-school R&B and Motown music.

Nick joined the Via team in 2014 after reading a Help Wanted sign on the back of an Access-a-Ride bus. He was looking for an encore career and started as a route driver for Access-a-Ride. He quickly moved to the training department to teach behind-the-wheel skills for driving Via vehicles.

After a few years of training drivers at Via’s Denver facility, Nick transferred to the Boulder headquarters. In addition to training drivers in the classroom and on the road, Nick also produces training videos for the Professional Development and Safety Teams. He also produces videos that showcase Via’s drivers and clients.

To Nick, mobility means moving people around safely, no matter their needs and abilities.

Outside of work, Nick loves to road bike, hike, camp, and cook. He’s a proud cat dad to a black-and-white house panther named Buddy.

Deinse joined the Via team in 2020 when Via took over operations of Seniors’ Resource Center’s (SRC) transportation division. She was familiar with Via through her role with SRC and was glad to move to Via when the opportunity presented itself. Denise was thrilled to continue her work in nonprofits through this role with Via, and she loves that Via values its employees, has a wonderful work-life balance, and has a great mission.

Before entering the transportation world, Denise worked as Waiting Child Manager in adoption. She spent 15 years working in international adoption, placing children with special needs with loving families. This work gave her great joy to bring families together and even helped her fulfill her dream of becoming a mom (the best job ever!) by adopting four girls from China. 

Outside of work, Denise loves spending time with her family. She enjoys her annual camping and fishing trips with family and friends and traveling, especially road trips with her daughters and parents in tow. Denise’s tight-knit family gets together for weekly happy hours, and they never get bored catching up on the week’s events.

Adriana joined Via in 2019, starting her journey as a reservationist and dispatcher. Her prior experience as a Lead IT Support at IBM equipped her to quickly advance to Call Center Lead. In 2021, she became Via’s Operations Manager. “I find immense joy in giving back to the community and working for Via has allowed me to fuel this passion,” Adriana shares. Outside of work, she treasures spending quality time with her family and enjoys visiting them in Mexico.

Steve joined the Via team in 2022 as Fleet and Facilities Manager, overseeing Via’s Boulder and Denver locations. Previously he worked for UPS, Adams 12 Schools, and the U.S. Army. 

A Colorado native, Steve is passionate about our environment and lowering the transportation industry’s carbon footprint. He’s excited to be part of Via’s responsible transition to electric vehicles. 

Steve is married to his high school sweetheart and has a young son and daughter. He enjoys building cars, collecting vintage gas and oil memorabilia, taking his son to the skatepark and finding new places to eat.