From the King County Ferry District, which runs the Water Taxi (whose West Seattle-to-downtown run resumes a week from today, April 5, with a celebration on April 11) – a new KCFD executive director has been chosen. Read on for the official announcement:

The King County Ferry District board of supervisors named Hank Myers of Redmond Executive Director with a unanimous vote.

Myers is a transportation economics consultant who is also serving his first term on the Redmond City Council. He previously served on the advisory board for Metro Transit. Earlier in his career, Myers was employed by Alaska Airlines and other airlines in planning and management roles.

“Hank Myers brings tremendous transportation management expertise to the King County Ferry District and we are pleased to have him join our team,” said King County Councilmember Jan Drago, who also serves as chair of the King County Ferry District Board of Supervisors. “Hank joins us at an exciting time for the Ferry District as we look toward long-term strategy and planning for the agency.”

Myers said he looks forward to putting experience to work for King County Water Taxi riders.

“My job will be to make sure the King County Water Taxi is operated as efficiently and reliably as possible,” Myers said. “The Ferry District wants to provide a dependable transportation option that is safe and comfortable for our passengers and crew.”

The executive director position is considered a three-quarter time position – 30 hours per week. With Myers appointment, the Ferry District board made the position permanent. The district was previously staffed by Lund Consulting, a management consulting firm specializing in special districts.

The Ferry District currently operates water taxi service between downtown Seattle and Vashon Island. On April 5, the district will resume offering water taxi service between downtown Seattle and West Seattle operating with a newer vessel and an improved dock on the West Seattle side.

In 2009, the Ferry District assumed operating responsibility of the Vashon route, leased a new vessel, received a clean bill of health in its first audit since its 2008 formation and posted a record ridership year, breaking the 200,000 rider mark on the West Seattle route.

The King County Ferry District is a special purpose government created to provide passenger ferry service in King County. The Ferry District’s Board of Supervisors is composed of the members of the King County Council. The King County Marine Division operates the service under the name King County Water Taxi.