Transportation Secretary names interim assistant secretary and ferries chief

State Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson today named Capt. George A. Capacci interim assistant secretary in charge of the Ferries Division for the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Capacci will lead the ferry system until a permanent assistant secretary is selected. WSDOT will conduct a nationwide search to find the best replacement for outgoing Assistant Secretary David Moseley who resigned effective April 15.

Capacci joined Washington State Ferries in 2009 as regional port captain and was promoted to deputy chief of operations and construction for ferries in 2010. In his current position, he is responsible for overseeing ferry operations, vessel maintenance and preservation and terminal engineering.

“I am pleased to select Captain Capacci as Interim Assistant Secretary for Ferries,” said Secretary Peterson. “Along with bringing a wealth of fleet management experience and customer-focused leadership, he is a proven administrator who will reliably serve our ferry system until the position is filled permanently.”

Prior to joining WSF, Capacci served as vice president of fleet operations for BC Ferries in Victoria and general manager of the Alaska Marine Highway System in Juneau, Alaska. His ferry experience is built upon a seagoing career in the U. S. Coast Guard, including five years in command of USCG cutters. He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science in engineering and George Washington University with a master’s degree in public administration.

“I am honored by the confidence Transportation Secretary Peterson placed in me,” Capacci said. “My top priority is to uphold the high standards Mr. Moseley set for the ferry system.”

Peterson said the state hiring committee is moving as quickly as possible to fill the vacancy.  
“We’re conducting a nationwide search, casting a wide net, to find the best person for the job and will include external stakeholders in the process.”

Capacci will serve as interim assistant secretary beginning April 16, when Moseley concludes six years of service as head of ferries at WSDOT.