MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
December 13, 2023
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 205 of the Washington Convention Center Authority Act of 1994,
effective September 28, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-188; D.C. Official Code § 10-1202.05), which
established the Washington Convention and Sports Authority Board of Directors, I am pleased to
nominate the following person for appointment:
Mr. Leif Dormsjo
39
th
Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
(Ward 3)
as a public member and chairperson of the Washington Convention and Sports Authority Board of
Directors, replacing Linda Greenan, for a term to end May 16, 2026.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above nominee,
together with proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel Bowser
Mayor ~£~
at the request of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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12 To confirm the appointment ofLeifDormsjo as a member and chairperson of the Washington
13 Convention Center Sports Authority Board of Directors.
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15 RESOLVED, BY COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this resolution may be
16 cited as the "Washington Convention and Sports Authority Board of Directors LeifDormsjo
17 Confirmation Resolution of 2023".
18 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
19 Mr. LeifDormsjo
20 39th Street, NW
21 Washington, DC 20007
22 (Ward 3)
23 as a public member and chairperson of the Washington Convention Sports Authority Board of
24 Directors, established by section 205 of the Washington Convention Center Authority Act of
25 1994, effective September 28, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-88; D. C. Official §10-1202.05), replacing
26 Linda Greenan, for a term to end May 16, 2026.
27 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution, upon its
28 adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
29 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
30 1
LEIF DORMSJO
Executive with an exemplary record of leading complex organizations and delivering
innovative projects and programs. Ability to generate successful outcomes through
stakeholder involvement, solid execution, motivating others, and building trust. Fluency
with urban policy, community-based initiatives, political and business imperatives, and
external communications. A reputation for getting tough things done and done well.
REDGATE Bethesda, MD
Executive Vice President May 2021 – Present
Lead the firm’s Mid-Atlantic market and direct all business development, client relations, project
management and investment activities. Redgate is comprised of Redgate Real Estate Advisors, an
advisory practice serving institutions, investors and corporations, and Redgate Capital Partners, a
development fund investing in ground-up residential, industrial, and life-science projects. Redgate
has managed the delivery of over 27M square feet of real estate program.
• New Jersey Transit (NJT), Hoboken Terminal and Yards Redevelopment, Hoboken, NJ –
Leif and the project team are advising NJT on the market feasibility and commercial value of
a master developer proposal to deliver 1.5M SF of office, residential and retail within the
footprint of the historic landmarked train and ferry station. The project includes affordable
housing, minority business participation, resiliency upgrades and open space.
• Traville Life Science Campus, Rockville, MD: Building on life science project experience in
Boston-Cambridge and Research Triangle Park, our team was brought on to manage the
permitting, design development and construction of a five-building campus in the heart of
the I-270 Life Science Cluster.
• BWI Business Park Industrial Complex, Hanover, MD: Leif and subject matter experts
performed investor due diligence and feasibility analysis for a 600K SF warehouse complex,
adjacent to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. The input on permitting, land use,
transportation, environmental impacts, and construction helped support the investor’s
decision to close on the property.
• University of Maryland – College Park, Office of Real Estate, College Park, MD: Located
in Prince George’s County, College Park is the flagship institution of the University of
Maryland System. Leif led the effort to secure a 5-year on-call real estate services contract.
• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, DC: Leif leads
an interdisciplinary team selected by WMATA’s Office of Real Estate and Development to
provide strategic and financial advice, developer solicitation and negotiation support, and
project management for the agency’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) program.
LOUIS BERGER SERVICES Washington, DC
Senior Vice President September 2017 – April 2021
Served as the executive in charge of the firm’s transportation asset management business. Louis
Berger Services provides operations and maintenance services to government and commercial clients
in the transportation, utility, military, and power sectors. Responsible for managing 175 employees
and $195 million of contract backlog. Under Leif’s leadership, the division focused on partnering with
local cities and townships, large employers, civic associations, bicycle and pedestrian safety advocates,
hotel and tourism operators, small businesses, freight carriers, law enforcement, social service
providers, and environmental groups. 2
• Texas Department of Transportation, SH 130 Concession Company, Austin, TX: Led the
operations and maintenance (O&M) functions for this 41-mile privately-operated toll road.
His team was responsible for adherence to the performance standards articulated in the P3
agreement, covering the entire range of roadway, bridge, traffic, and toll systems.
• P3 Program Management Advisory Services, Maryland State Highway Administration|
Baltimore, MD: As the P3 Advisory Lead, Leif was responsible for the establishment of the
procurement, regulatory, policy, communications, and community relations workstreams for
the state’s managed lane program. The team developed submittals for the Maryland General
Assembly and Board of Public Works, coordinated the production of solicitation documents,
evaluated market participants, generated policy briefs and analysis, and directed all external
relations with stakeholders.
• Project Development Advisory Services, Northwest Indiana Regional Development
Authority and South Shore Line | Gary, IN: As the subject matter expert, Leif was
responsible for advising the client on due diligence, financial feasibility, funding strategy and
regulatory approval for a $945M commuter rail extension and transit-oriented development
in the greater Chicago region.
• South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), Bridge Asset Management
Services, District 5&6, Charleston, SC: This asset management contract provides
professional and technical staffing, maintenance, operation, warranty protection, on-call
engineering, and rehabilitation for nine (9) fixed structures (including the iconic Arthur
Ravenel Jr. Bridge) and eight (8) movable bridges.
DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Washington, DC
Director January 2015- August 2017
Served as the Chief Executive Officer for the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the
agency responsible for capital infrastructure delivery, local transit services, roadway asset
management, customer service, bicycle and pedestrian programs, and parking operations. The
DDOT Reorganization Amendment Act of 2016 was adopted to better align programs and personnel
to deliver multi-modal and neighborhood-enhancing projects and services. Under Leif’s direction,
DDOT supported the planning phases of Hill East, Walter Reed, Union Market and the construction
logistics and public space oversight for the Wharf and the Virginia Avenue Tunnel.
• Member of the WMATA Board of Directors. Serve as the Vice-Chair of the Safety Committee
and sit on the Finance and Capital Program Committees.
• Led the permitting, community relations, and public infrastructure oversight of the infill
redevelopment Capitol Crossing project. This 2.2M SF air-rights project was built over
Interstate 395, just three blocks from the Capitol. It consists of five buildings, reinstating the
street grid of the L’Enfant Plan, the original urban design for the nation’s capital.
• Acted as the project executive for the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge project. The project
was behind schedule and at risk of cancellation. A newly constituted project team achieved
an environmental record of decision, won financial plan approval, acquired critical rights of
way, set aggressive DBE goals, completed a design-build process, and received competitive
design-build proposals. Opened to service in 2021, the bridge is both a physical and symbolic
uniter of our community.
• Launched the DC Streetcar service, a fixed guideway rail system. After a complete reboot,
the project was turned around in 12 months, opening in 2016. Proper safety oversight and 3
operations management was established. The new team completed an environmental study
and set the stage for a major extension to Benning Road Metro, intending to reach residents
historically under-served by reliable transit.
• Represented the Mayor of the District of Columbia on the executive committees responsible
for Federal Railroad Administration’s Long Bridge project and National Park Service
Arlington Memorial Bridge project. These Potomac-crossing projects required extensive
coordination and partnership with Amtrak, VDOT, Virginia Railway Express and Virginia
Department of Rail and Public Transportation.
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Hanover, MD
Deputy Secretary August 2012- December 2014
Served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)
and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA). MDOT has over 10,000 employees and a
six-year capital budget of $15.4 billion. The agency’s portfolio includes the BWI Marshall Airport
(BWI), the Port of Baltimore, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, two large
metropolitan transit systems, and statewide highway network. MDTA is a self-funded toll
authority, operating four bridges, two tunnels, and two turnpikes. MDOT also administers the
state’s Minority Business Certification program, one of the most successful programs in the country.
• Directed the 10-person government affairs unit responsible for the passage of the Maryland
Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013, raising $4.4 billion in new revenues
over six years for major capital and system preservation projects. Organized support from
key legislative districts, transit advocates, industry associations, chambers of commerce,
environmental organizations, labor unions and safety groups. Represented the
administration before the legislative budget committees and handled bill negotiations with
the presiding officers of the Maryland General Assembly.
• Developed the statutory framework for HB 560 (Public-Private Partnerships - P3) and
oversaw the adoption of the relevant agency regulations. Enacted in 2013, the new state law
streamlined the legislative oversight of P3 projects, created enhanced legal authority for
project sponsors and established predictable rules for solicitations.
• Co-led the 20-member senior management team responsible for the New Starts transit
projects: Baltimore’s Red Line light rail ($2.9 billion) and the DC Region’s Purple Line light
rail ($2.5 billion). Direct the work of in-house project managers, engineers, financial
professionals, and policy staff as well as outside technical consultants, business transaction
advisors, legal counsel and economists. Partnered with the University of Maryland, small
business groups and housing advocates for both projects.
• Established partnerships across jurisdictional, political and organizational lines to advance
regional and national interests. Participated in the bipartisan House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee’s Special Panel on Freight Transportation. Formed consensus on
cost-sharing with the Amtrak NEC commissioners and safety.
Senior Advisor to the Secretary January 2011–August 2012
Responsible for public-private partnerships and infrastructure investment. Focused on real
estate, port-related and transit-oriented development (TOD) projects. Engaged with investors to
develop sound financial and operating plans, leveraging public and private sources of capital.
• Directed the solicitation, evaluation, and approval of a 35-year lease and concession
agreement to redevelop the MDTA’s two travel h o s p i t a l i t y plazas on Interstate 95.
The project was completed early and within budget. In addition to obtaining $56 million in 4
upfront private investment, the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain project will
generate over $400 million in state revenue.
• Represented the Secretary during commercial negotiation, contract approval and
implementation of a 50-year revenue concession agreement for the Seagirt Marine Terminal.
The project was enabled by a $245 million Private Activity Bond (PABs) issuance for
berth construction, container cranes and highway projects. Fostered the hiring of 30
displaced crane mechanics and preserved their collective bargaining rights. With the facility
commissioned in 2013, Baltimore is now one of only two East Coast ports with the capacity
to receive larger, post-Panamax vessels.
• Created the MDOT Office of Project Delivery, hiring staff and consultants to support the
screening, solicitation, and implementation of public-private partnerships and tax-
increment finance (TIF). Researched best practices in innovative finance and privatization
and established the office structure.
Chief of Staff January 2007- December 2010
Managed the department’s interaction with the Governor’s Office, federal, state, and local
partners, businesses, stakeholder groups and labor unions. Prepared all transportation-related
briefing memoranda and presentations for the Governor and senior staff. Coordinated the
Secretary’s calendar of internal briefings, external meetings, and public events. Directed the press
and communications personnel. Recruited executives for senior-level agency positions.
• Co-led the agency’s selection, implementation and oversight of projects funded by the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), representing over $650 million in
highway, transit, and airport investment. Chaired bi-weekly meetings with representatives
of the highway, transit, and airport agencies to fast track the deployment of stimulus funds.
MDOT was recognized by the national policy resource center Good Jobs First for the most
transparent reporting program in the country.
• Negotiated major land acquisitions for the $2.6 billion Inter-County Connector (ICC) toll
road facility, funded in part by a $500 million TIFIA loan. Led the team responsible for
settling a $75 million condemnation case and acquiring critical parcels needed for ICC
access to Interstate 95.
• Administered the selection of more than 40 appointees to six state and regional
transportation governing boards, including WMATA, the State Roads Commission, the
Maryland Aviation Commission, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
(MWAA). Interviewed candidates for vacant board and commission positions.
BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Baltimore, MD
Chief of Staff June 2005- January 2007
Directed and supervised the financial management, information technology, contract
administration, human resource and capital planning functions for the Baltimore Department of
Transportation, the agency responsible for roadway maintenance and construction, street
lighting, traffic control, parking enforcement, snow removal and towing operations. The agency
has over 1,200 employees and a combined operating and capital budget of $250 million.
• Led the retooling of the department’s Division of Engineering and Construction by
establishing new project management principles, milestone tracking systems and training
requirements. As a result, the capital program accelerated the delivery of nearly $100
million in unspent federal aid for major highway reconstruction and bridge projects. 5
• Negotiated an agreement with Trigen Energy to invest $6.6 million into steam pipe
replacements in the business district. Prior to this deal, the utility’s deferred maintenance
and poor insulation practices caused major damage to high- volume roadways.
BALTIMORE MAYOR’S OFFICE Baltimore, MD
Operations Analyst, CitiStat Program August 2001- August 2003
Responsible for delivering recommendations to the Mayor and senior staff for bi-weekly performance
management meetings. The portfolio covered transportation, general services (fleet and facilities),
water and wastewater utilities, and sanitation departments. CitiStat achieved aggregate citywide
savings of $100 million over the program’s first four years of existence through personnel cost
reductions, new revenue streams and competitive outsourcing. In 2004, CitiStat won the Harvard
Kennedy School Innovations in American Government Award.
• Chaired ProjectStat, a program designed to track schedule milestones and funding decisions
during the capital delivery process. Supported by a small consulting staff, this program
pushed project teams to shorten task durations, perform concurrent reviews and heighten
quality control.
ST. PAULS SCHOOL FOR BOYS Brooklandville, MD
High School History Instructor August 1998 – August 2001
WILLIAMS & CONNOLLY Washington, DC
Legal Assistant August 1997 – August 1998
LEADERSHIP
DC Water Northeast Boundary Tunnel Dispute Resolution Board (2018-Present) • Association for
Management and Operations of Transportation Infrastructure Assets (AMOTIA) Board of
Directors (2017-2021) • District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) Board of Trustees (2018-
Current) • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board of Directors (2015-
2017) • Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (2015-2017) • AASHTO Board of Directors
(2015-2017) • Amtrak Northeast Corridor Commission (2014-2017) • B&O Museum Board of
Directors (2014-2016) • World Trade Center Institute – Baltimore (2012-2014) • Maryland
Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors (2012-2014) • AASHTO Center for
Excellence– Wharton Transportation Executive Program (2011) • Leadership Maryland (2008) •
American-Swiss Foundation Young Leaders (2007) • Harvard Kennedy School Admissions
Committee (2005) • Rappaport Public Policy Fellowship – Boston Public Schools (2004) •
Wesleyan University Varsity Lacrosse (1994, 1995, 1997) • Swedish Program (1996) • Internship
Senator Bill Bradley (1992)
EDUCATION
HARVARD UNIVERSITY Cambridge, MA
M.P.P. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development 2005
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Middletown, CT
B.A. History 1997
PHILLIPS ACADEMY Andover, MA
1993
Executive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Leif Dormsjo
Leif Dormsjo is a real estate, infrastructure, and urban policy professional.
He is the Executive Vice President and Mid-Atlantic Market Leader for
Redgate Real Estate Advisors, an investment and advisory firm serving
institutional, investor and corporate clients and partners.
Prior to Redgate, he ran the infrastructure asset management business unit for
a major US engineering firm. His background includes executive leadership
positions with the District Department of Transportation, Maryland
Department of Transportation, and Baltimore Department of Transportation.
He has served on the boards of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Union Station
Redevelopment Corporation and Maryland Economic Development Corporation. Currently, he
serves on the District of Columbia Public Library Board of Trustees, where he provided oversight
for the Martin Luther King Jr. Central Library renovation project.
Early in his career, Mr. Dormsjo interned for United States Senator Bill Bradley. He holds a
master’s degree in transportation, housing, and urban development from the Harvard Kennedy
School, where he was a Rappaport Fellow, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Wesleyan
University.
Mr. Dormsjo and his family live in Glover Park. They explore many DC playgrounds and parks,
where among other things they examine and discuss butterflies, moths, bees, and bugs. His sons
are both native Washingtonians and eager enrollees in DCPL’s Books from Birth program.
A Ward 3 resident, Mr. Dormsjo earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Wesleyan University
and his Master of Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development from the Harvard Kennedy
School, where he was a Rappaport Fellow.
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724 -7681
To: Tomas Talamante, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: December 12, 2023
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of Resolutions nominating Alan Bubes and Brian
Kenner as members and Leif Dormsjo as a member and chairperson of the
Washington Convention and Sports Authority Board of Directors
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above- referenced resolutions and
found them to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Erika Satterlee, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at 202 -
724-1303, or me at 202- 724-7681.
______________________________ Elizabeth A. (Betsy) Cavendish