February 26, 2005
Insider who began as ticket seller takes the helm of state ferry system
By Susan Gilmore, Seattle Times
Saturday, February 26, 2005
12:00 a.m. Pacific
A man who started his career selling tickets for the Washington State Ferries has been named head of the state ferry system.
W. Michael Anderson, who has been acting ferry director since November, yesterday was named the system’s executive director, capping a 32-year career with the ferry system. “I’m thrilled with the opportunity,” said Anderson, who lives in Normandy Park. “I’m very passionate about the ferry system.”
Anderson replaces Mike Thorne, who resigned in October after two years on the job. As director, Anderson will face many challenges, including getting food service restored on most ferry runs, keeping down fare increases, building new ferries in the largest capital-construction program in state-ferry history, rehabilitating several ferry terminals and weighing whether the state should get back into the passenger-ferry business with a route from Southworth to downtown Seattle.
Anderson said his top priority is long-term funding for state ferries. “That drives all the other decisions,” he said. “What is the level of subsidy and what can we expect the people to pay? We want to find revenue outside the farebox.”
Over his three decades with Washington State Ferries, Anderson has worked as a terminal manager and operations director. He was a member of the Inlandboatmen’s Union (IBU) for 25 years and has a working relationship with the union. The IBU represents the ferry food workers and has been unable to reach agreement with a food concessionaire to restore food service on most Puget Sound runs.
“Mike’s experience in the organization was a big factor in his selection for the position,” said Doug MacDonald, state transportation secretary.
“Mike is the right person at the right time to take the program forward.” Dave Freiboth, national head of the IBU, cheered the appointment. “He’s been our member for many, many years,” he said. “I like Mike and professionally they’re making the right move. Instead of going outside the system for someone who’s going to think outside of the box, we have someone who understands the box.”
Riders, too, said Anderson was a good choice. “Mike is not a ’suit,’ ” said Fred Chang, head of the Ferry Advisory Committee in Bremerton, adding there was “corporate distance” with Thorne, and many Bremerton riders blame him for killing the Bremerton-Seattle passenger-ferry run. “Mike really knows the system. I’m always happy when someone with his knowledge of operations is put in charge of an organization.”
There were three finalists for the top ferry job, which pays $127,000 a year. The appointment takes effect immediately.
Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com