Washington State Ferries Employee News

Read the January 2025 edition of Ferry Tales, the Washington State Ferries employee newsletter.

Watch the winter 2025 all-staff meeting recording from Jan. 21, 2025.

Have an idea for this employee newsletter? Email WSFEmployeeComms@wsdot.wa.gov.

Read the January 2025 edition of Ferry Tales, the Washington State Ferries employee newsletter.

Changing our culture to sail better together

Many of you participated in a culture assessment last spring with our consultant group Segal to assess how our culture is doing and what could be improved.

We had robust participation from all over the agency during team interviews.

What we heard is already helping to write the blueprint for our work culture of tomorrow.

Here are a few of the positive things we heard:

Significant improvements to our culture have already taken place in the last 18 months and were notable by many stakeholders and visible to interviewers.
Assistant Secretary Steve Nevey was noted by many as being supportive and accessible with a great vision for the future.
A four days a week, 10 hours a day schedule is highly valued by many ordinary and able-bodied sailors as they allow for greater work/life balance, especially for those who live far from their home docks.
Many interviewees noted that scheduling has improved due to the responsiveness and understanding of some dispatchers.

We also have a lot to improve on. Here are the themes of the feedback we heard:

Current schedules, policies and practices have negatively impacted employee quality of life.
Siloes due to limited interaction among groups has created barriers to fostering a cohesive work environment.
Varying levels of success in the development and implementation of employee engagement strategies have created pockets of misalignment.
Differing expectations related to accountability has created frustrations among employees.
Lack of access to human resources due to limited capacity and historic turnover has impacted levels of employee support and trust.
The current communication approach has created misalignment and challenges in connecting employees to the appropriate information.

To address the areas where we need to improve, a Culture Enhancement Team has been formed to design and implement strategies to strengthen the employee experience.

Your continued participation is critical to this effort. There will be more opportunities to participate in surveys and share your feedback going forward. Please take the time to share your experiences and thoughts.

It’s extremely valuable and will help us make Washington State Ferries an employer of choice.

Todd Lamphere
Senior Director of Finance, Administrative & Employee Services

What’s New at HQ?

With a lot of new faces, it’s important to review our state budget process.

Washington’s budgets are on a two-year cycle that starts in the summer of odd-numbered years.

The process starts with state agencies sending budget requests to the governor, who must propose our budgets in December before the Legislature meets. Lawmakers review, change and then approve it. Once signed into law, it takes effect on July 1. The budget can be changed later, and updates made during sessions are called supplemental budgets.

As you may have seen, Gov. Jay Inslee released his proposed 2025-27 budgets in December.

His plan supports our efforts to improve service reliability despite budget challenges. It continues funding workforce development programs that help hire and keep crew members. This includes helping current employees and people with no maritime experience to become licensed deck officers, one of the positions we’re most in need of.

His transportation budget proposal also continues funding for extra staffing on each operating vessel to help prevent last-minute service disruptions. It also funds improvements to our employee dispatch system to fill crew relief requests, customer communications, as well as terminal traffic control and security.

Gov. Inslee’s 2025-27 budget plan continues funding to supplement our Seattle/Bremerton route with additional Kitsap Transit passenger-only ferry service, so travelers have more reliable service and more options while the route remains on one-boat service. It also includes money to continue extra King County Water Taxi service between Vashon Island and downtown Seattle to supplement our Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route, which remains on a two-boat schedule instead of three.

The governor’s proposal also includes support for our efforts to build and update our aging fleet. It includes money to continue the hybrid-electric conversions of our Jumbo Mark II ferries and construct new hybrid-electric vessels.

This year, lawmakers will review Gov. Inslee’s budget plan and Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson’s budget priorities during their 105-day session that began Jan. 13.

Employee Spotlight

A woman stands in front of a large docked ferry, pointing towards it on a sunny day — **Elena Zachry**
Terminal Supervisor

Our terminal supervisors wear many hats. Fortunately for those on our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route, Elena Zachry is comfortable with lots of attire on her head.

“I manage day-to-day terminal operations, including planning and providing continuous improvement in all processes and practices,” said Elena, now in her fifth year as a terminal supervisor. “Provide Jedi-level customer service, banking, problem solving, supervise the staff, scheduling both vessels and employees, sometimes first aid response and I am the interisland San Juan Island resource.”

Elena has been with WSF for over 20 years, starting as a galley employee and moving her way through the organization before becoming a terminal supervisor at Anacortes. Her position requires quick thinking and an ability to bounce between the many responsibilities a day brings.

“It takes patience, thick skin and perseverance (to do this job),” she said. “Also, a critical mind that can recall all the pertinent nuances about the Anacortes operation that make it so dynamic.”

Our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route is the most complex in the system, with four boats crisscrossing over long distances for over 20 hours a day. With that many vessels, and the passengers they carry on board, there are bound to be issues that arise. This is where Elena thrives.

“Knowing I help get passengers to where they need to go safely, the satisfaction of coming up with an alternate service plan when the situation warrants and keeping everything running smoothly and efficiently (is rewarding),” said Elena. “I also enjoy making breakfast on Sunday morning for the staff.”

Outside of work, Elena enjoys gardening, spending time with her granddaughter and family, riding her four-wheeler, travelling internationally and listening to K-pop.

Employee Recognition

Side-by-side photos of two people holding coins in separate indoor and outdoor settings — Terminal Supervisor Wayne McFarland Jr. recently presented a Shared Value Coin to longtime Traffic Attendants James Franklin and Brian Hodkinson for excellence in customer service and always going the extra mile to be helpful, compassionate and do their jobs with pride. When a customer had mistakenly left their phone in Southworth, they helped get it safely to them on the next sailing to Fauntleroy.

A smiling person holds a round object in an office setting Side-by-side photos of two people shaking hands and holding certificates and coins — Coupeville Terminal Supervisor Lana Wilson recently awarded Terminal Attendant Traci Loftis with a Shared Values Coin for her dedication, tireless work ethic and positivity she brings to every shift – always with a smile.

Side-by-side photos of two people shaking hands in an office while holding a certificate and a coin — Vessel Engineering and Maintenance Director Richard Servance presented Eagle Harbor Operations Manager Alex McEwen and Electrical and Electron Systems Specialist Tim Cortez with a Shared Values Coin recently for their swift emergency medical response in helping a coworker in need.

People in an orange inflatable boat on water amidst debris or logs A ferry worker assists a person in a motorized wheelchair onto a ferry — Chief Mate Heather Natal-Morse awarded each member of her Port Townsend B watch team with a Shared Values Coin recently for their efforts during a logjam at Coupeville terminal over the holidays. The crew went above and beyond to keep the route in service. They didn’t just have to navigate around the driftwood and debris, but the crew even launched a rescue boat twice to move logs. Congratulations to Capt. Jesse Rongo, Chief Engineer Chris Kalinski, Quartermaster Nadia Winstead, Oilers Jordan Gallauher and Christopher McLaughlin, Able-Bodied Sailors Ben Flodquist, Rita O’Bryan and W. Mark Olson (pictured in rescue boat), Mate in Training Chris Lupton and Ordinary Sailors Matthew Frantz, Walter Olson and Seth Steben on a job well done.

A person in a wheelchair is guided onto a ferry by someone in a high-visibility vest — Terminal Supervisors Sam Miller and Jonah Shrader awarded Traffic Attendant David Herman with a Shared Values Coin for going above and beyond in his role. David noticed that a regular Vashon customer had difficulty boarding a sailing when their electric wheelchair got caught in the gap between the bridge seat and the dock. To help, he created a “wheelchair accessibility stick” to fill the gap, making boarding easier and safer. His thoughtful solution is now used regularly by dock workers and vessel crews, improving accessibility for wheelchair passengers.

All-staff meeting Tuesday, Jan. 21

Our next all-staff meeting is at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21. On the day of the meeting, click this link to join.

There will be a short presentation with a message from Assistant Secretary Steve Nevey, budget updates, how we’re working to update our Service Contingency Plan and sailing schedules, workforce development and how your input is changing the way we operate.

Please send in your questions, either during the meeting or email WSF Employee Communications. Most of the meeting will be devoted to answering your questions.

If you’re not able to join live, a recording will be posted at the top of our Ferry Tales webpage. That’s where you can currently view our last all-staff meeting.

Cirque du Soleil KOOZA ticket discount

Ever wanted to check out Cirque du Soleil? Now’s your chance!

KOOZA comes to Marymoor Park Jan. 19 to March 2 and all WSF employees are eligible for a 20% discount on tickets.

Groups of 10+ save 25% and reduced fees. Email Sarah Hudson at Cirque du Soleil KOOZA if you have questions with questions.

In case you missed it: 2024 Year in Review

Our 2024 Year in Review has arrived!

It was first sent out in Monday Matters on Jan. 13. It contains a look at our year by the numbers, key initiatives and highlights from 2024.

Read about our workforce development, community engagement, Shared Values Coin recognition program and more in our 2024 Year in Review (PDF 670KB).

What’s Up at WSDOT?

On Wednesday, Jan. 8, Governor-elect Bob Ferguson announced that Julie Meredith, WSDOT’s current assistant secretary for Urban Mobility, Access and Megaprograms, will serve as Washington’s next Secretary of Transportation.

During her 36 years at WSDOT, Julie has led and managed some of the most complex, high-profile transportation projects throughout the greater Puget Sound area, including the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, construction of the new SR 520 bridge – the world’s longest-floating bridge – and the expansion of the region’s managed lanes and tolling program.

Julie is known for her proactive approach to solving complex problems, ability to build lasting partnerships and commitment to diverse and inclusive leadership in the transportation industry.

Julie’s appointment begins on Jan. 15. In Washington, the governor appoints cabinet position leaders who start work upon their appointment date. Those positions also must undergo a confirmation hearing and confirmation vote by the state senate. Confirmation dates have not yet been scheduled.

Holiday photos

A group of six people, some in orange safety jackets, sit on a bench inside a building with a water view and holiday decorations — Fauntleroy terminal celebration.

Santa Claus with an umbrella on a rainy dock, as a ferry approaches in the background — Mukilteo terminal employee Erik Eklund dressed as Santa Claus.

Five people in safety vests, two with Santa hats, standing and smiling on the car deck of a ferry — The Bainbridge B watch celebration on the Chimacum car deck.

Safety Matters

The Quality, Health, Safety & Environment team wants to emphasize the importance of taking care of one’s mental health during the long Pacific Northwest winter season.

Seasonal depression can hit hard during these months, so it is important to maintain a regular sleep schedule and maximize sunlight exposure when possible.

Incorporate physical activity, like walking and cardiovascular exercises to boost endorphins. Stay socially connected with family and crewmates and communicate feelings openly. Engage in hobbies or mindfulness practices to reduce stress.

And if symptoms worsen, seek professional support through your telehealth services like WSDOT's Peer Support Program or the Employee Assistance Program.