PORT TOWNSEND — A new general manager for Jefferson Transit could be selected this afternoon, as the Transit Board is meeting to consider the applications of three candidates to take over the permanent position.
General Manager Peggy Hanson resigned in March after less than a year on the job and was replaced by Port Angeles Mayor Dan Di Guilio, retired Clallam Transit general manager, on an interim basis.
On May 31, the board decided to solicit applications from within the system rather than conduct a nationwide search, as it had done for the last few general managers.
Three current employees applied for the position: operations manager Tammi Rubert and drivers Lloyd Eisenman and Mike Pollack.
“We thought we’d promote from within and found three good people to apply,” said Jefferson County Commissioner David Sullivan, who is a member of the Transit Board along with County Commissioners John Austin and Phil Johnson along with Port Townsend City Council members Catharine Robinson and George Randels.
The pay for the general manager job ranges from $63,397 to $85,773 depending on experience.
The board will meet at 1:30 p.m. in the transit offices, 1615 W. Sims Way, and will begin with a public comment period before recessing into an executive session to discuss the individual applicants.
Upon reconvening the public meeting, the board could announce its decision, Sullivan said.
All three applicants for the manager job began as drivers for the system and have held other positions. Eisenman and Pollack returning to driving.
Both Pollack and Rubert have served as interim general managers, Pollack for four months in 2010 before Hanson was hired and Rubert for a little more than a week after Hanson resigned.
Pollack has the most seniority, beginning as a permanent driver in August 2001 and serving as training and service supervisor from January 2006 to November 2009.
This was interrupted when he managed the Hood Canal project during the bridge’s closure from December 2008 to July 2009.
Pollack has been a driver since that time except for his time as temporary general manager.
Eisenman began as a temporary driver in April 2005 and became a permanent driver six months later.
He worked as a road supervisor beginning in January 2010, returning to driving in May 2010.
Eisenman has competed nationwide in the Roadeo bus driver competition, something he said he will need to give up if he is selected as general manager.
Rubert began as a permanent driver in January 2006.
She worked in customer service from July 2008 to October 2009 when she was named mobility coordinator.
She took over as training and services supervisor twice, filling in when Pollack was working on the bridge project and again from November 2009 to July 2010 when she became operations manager.
Eisenman said all three candidates have different strengths, and the two not chosen would continue to work as a team.
In any case, the appointment of a new general manager will create a job vacancy is the system, he said.
The employees of Jefferson Transit have weighed in with their preferences in letters to the board.
An endorsement of Rubert was signed by all seven administrative employees and three service workers.
“Her experience at Jefferson Transit combined with her spirit and attitude speak well for her potential to excel in this position,” the letter reads.
Pollock received four letters of support from drivers Burt Langsea, Eldon Burrow and Alice Lane and dispatcher Karen Kautzman.
Burrow wrote that Pollack “has earned his stripes and his record speaks volumes,” while Langsea wrote that “Mike has done outstanding work at all levels of transit operations [and] is respected and liked by all JT employees (a rare quality in recent management).”
The timing of a new general manager taking over the position is uncertain.
On Monday, Di Guilio said, “I’m ready to get out of here as soon as they find a replacement.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
