The Alaska Department of Transportation has announced a change in the leadership of the Alaska Marine Highway System. After nearly 20 years as the ferry manager, the Alaska Department of Transportation has appointed a new deputy commissioner.
At a Jan. 6 meeting, the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board discussed staffing changes.
Shirley Marquardt (board president) stated that “the system is in an extremely vulnerable place right now.” How does one talk about succession planning and transition?
Ryan Anderson, DOT Commissioner, attended the meeting.
Anderson said, “I recognize that there is a lot happening right now. Anderson stated that Anderson believes this is a serious issue.
Capt. John Falvey announced his retirement. His final day will be January 17.
Anderson stated that they will “aggressively look” for Falvey’s replacement through a nationwide search over the next month. At the meeting, they did not have a job description.
Anderson stated, “It’s something that we have to put our energy into.” Anderson said, “Make sure that everyone works together and has good communication. We all have to believe in the same purpose. That’s how you keep Alaska moving and the system moving.
The state is called Capt. Tony Karvelas is currently the interim manager for the ferry system.
Retired Capt. Falvey was with five administrations. Governor George W. Bush appointed him as the AMHS general manager in 2004. Frank Murkowski. Falvey spent 27 years in shipbuilding and ocean-class vessel and fast ferry operations. Crew management was also his specialty. In 1976, he graduated from Maine Maritime Academy.
CoastAlaska repeatedly asked Falvey about his tenure and no one from the state was able to comment. Anderson briefly spoke of Falvey at the board meeting.
Anderson stated, “I would like to thank Captain Falvey” for his service. Anderson said, “He is a vastly knowledgeable, you know, man that I respect.”
Wanetta Ayers, Vice President of the Board, said Falvey will be remembered.
Ayers stated that “he really has done an yeoman’s job for Alaska, for Alaskans and for the Alaska Marine Highway.”
Marquardt stated that “He went through quite a lot of financial and political chaos,” which is perfectly normal. However, he did it for 20 years. Your time at AMHS was greatly appreciated by thousands, if not thousands, of Alaskans.
Falvey didn’t return calls or emails requesting comment. At the ferry board meeting, Falvey thanked all the workers on the marine highway.
“It takes a group to keep this operation running. He said that it is extremely complex. It’s not something the person in this office can do by themselves. It’s the crews on the ships, the people here at KCO [Ketchikan Central Office], and the people out in the terminals that make it all possible. It takes a team working together to make it all happen.
A new deputy commissioner has been appointed to the Department of Transportation. This department oversees the marine highway. Rob Carpenter resigned at year’s end and was replaced January 5th by Katherine Keith. She was previously the liaison for ferry board.
Keith stated to the board that she is optimistic about the future.
Keith stated, “I believe we’re in a moment where we just want the future to be looked at.” “And the current situation is dynamic, and things are changing in real-time pretty quickly.”
Robert Venables is the director of Southeast Conference’s regional civic and business association. He has been working with Falvey 18 years. In an email, he stated that he would be a difficult act to follow.
Ayers, a board member, said that she hopes Falvey will share her suggestions for managing the marine highway system as well as the skills required for his replacement. This was Jan. 17.
