PORT ANGELES — Clallam Transit has approved a contract with its next general manager.
Wendy Clark-Getzin, capital development director for Kitsap Transit in Bremerton, will replace retiring Clallam Transit System General Manager Terry Weed on July 1.
She will earn $98,000 per year under a three-year agreement that Clallam Transit board members approved unanimously at a meeting in Forks this week.
“I hope to achieve the continued stability that Clallam Transit has shown financially, as well as continuing the quality and quantity of services,” Clark-Getzin said in a telephone interview.
Mike Chapman, Transit board member and Clallam County commissioner, lauded Clark-Getzin for her experience, education, legislative connections and ability to find state and federal transportation funds.
Experience cited
“Her blend of experience in planning and budgetary skills was really the skill set that I think the board was looking for,” said Chapman, who was part of a recruitment committee that identified three finalists and presented one — Clark-Getzin — to the full board.
“Her skill set, her connection to the community, the relationships she has at both the state and federal level with regard to funding sources, and her ability to plan put her over the top,” Chapman added.
“She was by far the No. 1 candidate.”
Transit board members discussed the selection in a closed-door executive session and reconvened in open session to vote on a memorandum of understanding to appoint Clark-Getzin as general manager by resolution, transit office manager and clerk of the board Mary Bower said.
“The process that the Clallam Transit board was able to pull together so completely impressed me,” said Clark-Getzin, a 19-year Kitsap Transit employee.
“I feel like I have my eyes wide open.”
Weed, 64, will retire July 5 after 33 years with Clallam Transit. He became operations manager in 1984 and was promoted to general manager in January 2005.
$104,000 per year
Weed has earned $104,000 per year since 2010.
“Terry has done a great job,” Chapman said.
“He served Clallam Transit for over 30 years. Like I’ve always said, you don’t necessarily replace someone of Terry’s caliber, but [Clark-Getzin] brings a different skill set.”
Weed said he plans to spend his retirement in the Port Angeles area.
“It’s really great to follow on the heels of Terry Weed,” said Clark-Getzin, 48.
“I really expect this transition is going to be smooth.”
A native of Long Beach, Calif., Clark-Getzin earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from California State University, Long Beach, and a master’s in urban planning from McGill University in Montreal.
She worked in Clallam County government as a transportation planner and geographic information system analyst from 1991 to 1993.
“I have fond memories of [current Clallam County Transportation Program Manager] Rich James describing how beautiful Port Angeles was,” Clark-Getzin recalled.
Clark-Getzin played violin in the Port Angeles Symphony and bought property with an extra lot, thinking she may eventually retire in “one of the most beautiful spots in the world.”
In 1994, Kitsap Transit hired Clark-Getzin to work on capital facilities projects, including the Bremerton Transportation Center.
Simultaneous openings
Two of her projects, a Kingston-area park and ride, as well as a Bainbridge Island bike barn, opened on the same day, according to a Wednesday report in the Kitsap Sun.
Clark-Getzin said the job allowed her to work regionally in all levels of government.
During her time in Bremerton, Clark-Getzin earned a master’s in public administration and developed strong ties with state legislators such as current U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, a Port Angeles native whose 6th Congressional District includes the North Olympic Peninsula and Kitsap County.
Clark-Getzin said she plans to seek new opportunities for Clallam Transit and “bring other community partners together.”
“I am so pleased for the whole family to be able to make this move,” said Clark-Getzin, who has two elementary school-aged children and a husband, Daniel, an industrial paint chemist who plays the cello.
“It just feels like a really good time to take that next huge step.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
