SEATTLE — Lynne Griffith will take over as Assistant Secretary for the Washington State Ferries Division, the Washington State Department of Transportation announced Sept. 10.

Griffith will replace interim WSF chief George Capacci.

Griffith officially begins in her new job in October. Griffith will be responsible for guiding the ferries management team and all ferries employees to meet safety, operational and budgetary goals.

Griffith has more than 35 years of experience in the transportation industry in transit, airlines and rail, from entry level operations to executive management. She currently serves as the chief executive officer of Pierce Transit. She has also worked at C-TRAN in Clark County, and managing bus and specialized transportation for people with disabilities at MARTA, in Atlanta, Georgia, one of the largest transit authorities in the United States.

“I am very pleased Lynne is joining the WSDOT team and I want to thank Capt. George Capacci for serving in the interim role,” said Lynn Peterson, Secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation.

“Our ferry system is an iconic symbol of the state of Washington and a vital link in our statewide transportation system. It will be in good hands with Assistant Secretary Griffith,” she said.

Secretary Peterson sent a memo to Governor Jay Inslee Sept. 10 with short- and long-term considerations to move the division forward under Griffith’s leadership. Inslee said he was “pleased someone as capable and experience” as Griffith was hired.