Stanley Takes the Helm as WETA Moves Forward

Meanwhile, Sacramento lawmakers had an even broader vision—a ferry system to increase regional mobility and also provide emergency transportation in the event of a disaster. The result was Senate Bill 976, which, effective January 1, 2008, transformed the WTA into a new agency, the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA). Additional legislation, Senate Bill 88, set aside $250 million of Proposition 1B funds for waterborne disaster response facilities, of which $25 million was allocated to WETA in last year’s budget and $25 million in this year’s budget.

At the same time, Steve Castleberry resigned after serving five years as WTA’s Executive Director and CEO. So, the new WETA found itself with an expanded mission and the need for a new leader. After a nationwide search, that new leader was found right in the Bay Area: Jon Stanley, CEO of the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation. Stanley brings an impressive resume; he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and gained experience with nuclear-powered submarines, then earned a graduate degree in nuclear engineering from UC Berkeley. Since then, he has had 25 years of experience in project management and engineering. Board President Charlene Haught Johnson said that Stanley possesses the right leadership skills, knowledge of the maritime industry, and consensus-building strengths to help WETA move forward with expanding Bay Area water transit to significantly increase our region’s emergency response capacity.

Intrigued by Stanley’s maritime experience, we sat down with him for a wide-ranging discussion:

Bay Crossings: From the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis to WETA, how would you describe your career path?

Jon Stanley: My father was an officer in the Navy during World War II, and I have always been attracted to the maritime world. That was what drew me to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. What also attracted me was the challenge, since I wanted to do something difficult, and it was also out of town. That suited me, since I wanted to see more of the world than just the City of Long Beach where I grew up.

When I graduated from the Academy, I fully intended to make a career in the U.S. Navy and drive nuclear submarines. But, after six years, I decided to leave the service. My graduate work in Nuclear Engineering at UC Berkeley was in preparation for joining the civilian work force as a professional engineer. In the mid-1970s, I began working for a consulting engineering firm involved in designing nuclear power plants. I also spent a couple of years at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. But, as the nuclear-power industry began faltering, I went into software development for other industries.

Several years ago, I heard that the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation in Alameda was looking for a CEO. I was selected and found it a wonderful challenge. Equally important, I was back again on the waterfront, which is where I like to be.

BC: How did you feel about being selected for the WETA job?

JS: My initial reaction upon being selected to head the WETA was, This is really a great job! And one reason I accepted it was that I love the challenge and find the vision is compelling. I am thoroughly enjoying it, and finding that it is a very exciting time to be involved in putting together a regional ferry system. Furthermore, I am very impressed with what the WTA staff has done in the last few years with a limited staff. They have really put together a tremendous plan and a vision for a regional service. I am as excited as can be and want to put my oar in the water and get this thing done!

BC: What is the status of creating the regional ferry system?

JS: The near-term project for us is a ferry operation from South San Francisco to Oakland, and we are on schedule for starting that service in the late summer of 2010. Next comes Berkeley/Albany to San Francisco, and we are finishing up the Environmental Report on that service as we speak. We have also begun environmental reports for ferry terminals at Hercules and some of the other runs. So we are moving right along, and are excited about the prospects.

BC: What about the construction and maintenance of the ferries themselves?

JS: The initial two ferries for the regional system, both 149-passenger, 25-knot spare boats, are being completed in the Seattle area. The first, to be called Gemini, will be here in December, and the second, to be called Pisces, will arrive next March. In addition, two 199-passenger, 25-knot ferries are being built for the South San Francisco service and will arrive in late 2009. Ferry maintenance facilities will be needed. We have some funding and are looking at one facility that exists on Mare Island, as well as the possibility of a mobile maintenance facility.

BC: What is the status of WETA’s acquisition of existing ferry systems?

JS: WETA is mandated by the state to develop a transition plan for the assumption of existing ferry services on the bay, with the exception of Golden Gate Ferries. We have established a team—including representatives of the cities of Vallejo and Alameda and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission—that is currently developing a transition plan and expects to have public meetings in both cities early next year. For Vallejo, the transition plan is due for completion by July 1^st of next year. We believe that we have the funding needed for both acquisitions.

BC: How will WETA provide emergency response capability?

JS: The state bill that established the WETA requires that we identify sources of fuel around the bay and develop additional docking capability in the corridor between San Francisco and the East Bay. We are also developing emergency service contracts with private boat operators to make sure that, in the event of an emergency, we will be able to call upon all of the passenger boats on the bay. We are also working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and the Offices of Emergency Services on both sides of the bay.

BC: How will WETA secure adequate funding to carry out its mission?

JS: Some federal money is available from the Ferry Boat Discretionary Fund. There is also the state’s Proposition 1B funding, Regional Measure 2 from bridge tolls, plus sales tax measures in San Mateo and Contra Costa counties. We have received our first award of $25 million from Prop. 1B. Some of it will be used for the new ferry terminals and some for permanent and mobile ferry maintenance and fueling facilities. We expect to get additional monies from the state in future years, because a total allotment of $250 million is available. But, the real challenge may be to find sufficient operating funds, although some is available through Regional Measure 2. Based on these funding sources, from federal, to state, to regional and local sources, we have identified sufficient funding to make a great beginning to the transition of existing services from Vallejo and Alameda, build at least the first couple of new terminals and ferry operations, and provide emergency response capability.

So, I think that the original vision of the regional ferry system articulated in the WTA Implementation & Operations Plan is doable, although it is going to be a challenge. We are going to try to get the system in place by 2025 and triple the number of ferry commuters on the bay, from four to twelve million per year. It will be an interesting challenge!