Post by ferryfast admin on Oct 25, 2007 13:15:31 GMT -5
Anderson to step down as ferry-system chief
By Sara Jean Green
Seattle Times staff reporter
seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003973420_ferrychief25m.html
Mike Anderson, 52, began working for the ferry system as a teenager.
Mike Anderson took a job selling tickets for the Edmonds-Kingston ferry run as a teenager, then steadily worked his way up the ranks, becoming director of Washington State Ferries in 2004.
After a 34-year career with the nation's largest ferry service, Anderson surprised legislators and ferry employees alike when he announced Wednesday that he plans to retire at the end of December.
And while the 52-year-old envisions a future working on "water-borne" transportation issues at a national level, he says there is "still a math problem" in how this state's ferry system is financed — a problem lawmakers need to resolve.
He decided to announce his retirement now so a replacement can be appointed before the next legislative session convenes in January.
But Anderson, who considers himself more "team captain" than "dictator" of the system and its 1,800 employees, said he has worked to put key people in place and create structures for a seamless transition.
"The last few years have been challenging and some of the toughest times" in the system's history, he said. "But I'm real comfortable with the handoff. They'll be fine without me."
Still, it will be difficult to replace Anderson, a man with first-hand experience of virtually every aspect of the system's operations, said Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond. She hopes to have Anderson's replacement chosen by the end of the year.
"Where we're really struggling is in our financial future. We don't have a sustainable financial plan," she said.
The ferry system's financial woes began in 2000 after voters passed Initiative 695 to repeal the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, which provided 22 percent of the system's revenue. Fares increased and fuel prices soared — from $20 million to $80 million per biennium over the past eight years. Aging vessels, unpredictable operating costs and competition for funds with road and bridge projects across the state have made for a precarious financial future.
State Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, chairwoman of the House Transportation Committee, said she and ferry workers were surprised by Anderson's announcement. But "everybody I've talked to has said they can take this change in stride," she said.
Last session, lawmakers commissioned a study of ferry customers, froze construction of new terminals and began a ferry-finance study through the joint House-Senate Transportation Committee, Clibborn said. Those reports, which may be ready as early as December, will guide decisions on the ferry system.
"Anybody who's put in 34 years probably has some war wounds, but he's handled it beautifully," she said of Anderson.
Former Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald, who resigned in July, also had high praise for Anderson.
The way Anderson managed ferry security after Sept. 11, implemented the electronic-fare system and paved the way for vast improvements in labor relations with the 16 unions that represent ferry workers are among Anderson's "signal achievements," he said. Under his leadership, environmental strides were made as well, including using cleaner fuels to run the ferries.
"Mike just stood out — he was very eager to lead and take on these challenges," said MacDonald, who promoted Anderson to CEO.
Anderson was recently nominated to the national board of the Passenger Vessel Association, the country's largest organization representing vessel operators. He figures he can use his expertise to help operators of smaller ferry systems meet the same safety and training standards that have made Washington State Ferries a national model.
"My passion is in the marine industry, so I'm sure that's where I'll end up," he said.
Sara Jean Green: 206-515-5654 or sgreen@seattletimes.com