Retired Tacoma City Manager James L. Walton came out of retirement to begin his new role this week as interim CEO of Pierce Transit. At a special meeting on Sept. 15, Pierce Transit’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to name Walton to the post after departing CEO Lynne Griffith announced her plans to accept an appointment to assistant secretary, Washington State Ferries. Her last day at Pierce Transit was Sept. 22. Walton assumed the CEO role Sept. 23, and is expected to serve as interim for approximately six months, or until a replacement for Griffith can be hired.
In his first meeting with his direct reports, Walton explained his rationale for accepting the Interim CEO opportunity.
“What really made the difference to me as I was trying to decide whether to do this was the demographics of the people we serve – the fact that as of 2014, 44percent of Pierce Transit customers make less than $20,000 per year, and 39 percent do not own a car. It means that Pierce Transit provides a vital service in Pierce County, especially for people with no other options. Our employees and the agency as a whole must be at their best, so that our customers who rely on that service get the best transportation system we can create.”
Walton praised Pierce Transit’s Board, Griffith and employees for guiding the agency through the Great Recession. Although he acknowledged that Pierce Transit’s service hours have been reduced about 35 percent from where they were in 2008, Walton called the agency’s present financial stability “a miracle.”
“The public needs to understand all that goes on at Pierce Transit to ensure the bus they expect at a specific time is going to be there as promised,” said Walton. “We also need to convince other cohorts that public transportation is not just for the transit-dependent rider. We want people with a choice to choose Pierce Transit, too.”
As Walton gets acquainted with his new team and responsibilities, the Board is actively engaged in moving the CEO search process forward. A request for proposal for a search firm to assist the board was issued in August, and an evaluation committee made up of Board members and staff is currently reviewing the submittals.
In the meantime, Walton says he will focus his energy on getting to know employees and what they do, and making sure the agency is carrying out the Board’s policies and meeting their expectations.
“I will be looking for ways to build and re-build the community and stakeholder relationships that may have been impacted by the events of the past few years. We will need those relationships in order to achieve new miracles in the future.”
