PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson Transit is offering the job of general manager to longtime Portland, Ore., TriMet transit operations manager Peggy Hanson.
The board, after a closed executive session Tuesday afternoon, reconvened to unanimously select Hanson, one of five finalists, to step into the job vacated by former manager Dave Turissini.
No pay was announced pending negotiations, but Sullivan said it would be in the same range as Turissini’s salary, which was $74,000 annually.
Hanson, who has held her current position since 2007, has worked at TriMet for the last 20 years, at one point working as a bus operator.
“I think she’ll be a good fit for Jefferson County,” said David Sullivan, county commissioner and transit board member.
“She has a lot of varied experience. Her references checked out very well. She’s got the energy. She’s interested in transit issues and a hard worker.
“She worked her way up through the ranks and has done a large variety of jobs,” Sullivan said. “Portland has a lot of progressive thinking when it comes to transportation.”
Sullivan said board members Catharine Robinson, board chairwoman and a Port Townsend City Council member, and county Commissioner Phil Johnson were to contact Hanson on Tuesday night.
“I think it will be good for her family and she will like all the activities and secondary gains that make up for lower wages and higher housing prices,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he expected Hanson would start at Jefferson Transit in a few weeks.
Turissini resigned effective in January after accepting the express bus program manager’s position with Sound Transit.
The selection process involved extensive interviews and community meetings, allow transit users to meet candidates.
Cathy Sillins, state Department of Transportation assistant director for public transportation, assisted Jefferson Transit, leading the recruitment process, and Sullivan said the board was grateful for her work.
The other finalists were:
• Peter Behrman, former director of transportation for Veolia Transportation, the largest public contractor for Las Vegas, Nev., Rapid Transit.
• Brad Patterson, city of Greeley, Colo., transit services division manager for four years and a former transportation specialist for the Colorado Department of Transportation.
• Frank Poulsen, former Clallam Transit operations manager from 2005-2009 and operations manager of Santa Fe (N.M.) Trails transportation before that.
• Kim Stone, manager of business operations for North County Transit District in Oceanside, Calif., since 2000.
Jefferson Transit began public operations in May 1981 after Jefferson County voters approved formation of a transit district in 1980.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
