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10/24/2007: "The WSF Director Retires"

(WSF photo)
It has not been as smooth sailing for Washington State Ferries (WSF) CEO, W. Michael Anderson as he perhaps would have preferred. When he moved up from acting director to Executive Director in 2005 he stated a “key focus” would be “the renovation of several terminals. Improving efforts to develop understanding and find solutions for WSF’s financial picture”.

That has not happened, and while he had correctly identified some other problems, such that ”customers should be able to count on access to accurate information, clean facilities, availability of amenities, and friendly, knowledgeable staff on the phone, at the terminal, and on the vessels,” there have been on going complaints about how all of these could still be improved.

Waves have been made by riders and committees, including San Juan County’s own advisors and the county council; and he must have thought he had been hit by a rogue wave when the state legislator stepped in and effectively stopped some of the more grandiose plans for capital improvement, including a new multi-million dollar Anacortes terminal building.

Whatever the reason, he has announced his retirement after 34 years of service.



"Congratulations to Mike, and many thanks for his decades of service," said Secretary of Transportation, Paula Hammond. "We will greatly miss his experience, expertise and leadership. We’re poised to make some major decisions about ferries, and we have much work ahead. Fortunately, Mike has set us on the right course."

Under Anderson’s leadership, WSF emerged as a leader in environmental stewardship. WSF shifted to low-sulfur fuel in 2004 and has continued to test ultra-low sulfur and biodiesel fuels. Working with University of Washington scientists, WSF has developed award-winning marine habitat restoration techniques. On the land side, WSF works with LEED-certified architects to design new facilities based on Green Building Technology.

Anderson began his career in 1973 as a ticket seller. Rising steadily through the ranks, he was tapped in 2004 for the top post by then-Secretary of Transportation Doug MacDonald. Prior to appointment as CEO, he served as Director of Operations. The nation’s largest ferry system, WSF carries over 24 million passengers and 11 million vehicles annually. Last year WSF completed 99.6% of its scheduled trips with an on-time record of 94%.

"It has been an extraordinary journey in every way," observed Anderson, "and I have been privileged to be part of one of the finest organizations and one of the most respected ferry systems in the world. It has been a great honor in my life to serve as CEO during the most challenging and trying times the ferry system has ever faced. I have worked hard to set the course for WSF. While there are intense challenges ahead in terms of long-term ferry financing and the dire need for vessel replacements, WSF now has the right people in place to carry the ferry system into the future. Paula Hammond’s appointment as Secretary of Transportation, combined with the esprit de corps that exists within WSDOT and WSF, ensures that WSF will continue to improve for our communities and customers."

The events of 9/11 created new challenges for transportation operators everywhere, including WSF. Anderson was instrumental in the implementation of WSF’s Safety Management System, now considered a model for vessel system operators nationwide. Recognizing a need for collaboration among public ferry operators, Anderson has worked to organize industry peers through the American Public Transit Association, the Public Ferries Coalition, and the Passenger Vessel Association.

A Business Administration major, Mike is an alumnus of the University of Washington (as is his younger daughter, Amber Anderson, now a first year medical student). His older daughter, Ashley Anderson-Barnes, who graduated from San Diego State University, is now in chiropractic medicine. Anderson has been married for 28 years to his wife Cindy.

Anderson will serve until late December, 2007, after which he will explore opportunities in the marine transportation industry.