Written by
Nick Blenkey
Steve Nevey [Photo: WSF]
Washington State Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar has introduced that Steve Nevey will function assistant secretary for the Washington State Ferries Division, succeeding Patty Rubstello, who’s stepping down as head of WSF to spend extra time with household after greater than 33 years of service with the Washington State Division of Transportation. Rubstello will stay assistant secretary to make sure a easy transition till Nevey begins his new position on March 16.
A profession mariner, Nevey is a graduate of Southampton Solent College in the UK and has served with Chevron and the Holland America Group.
For the previous two years he has served as director of marine operations for WSF and has been instrumental within the improvement of packages that tackle ongoing employees shortages within the trade.
“This can be a pivotal time for our ferry system, and I recognize WSF conducting a extremely aggressive nationwide seek for this position,” stated Gov. Jay Inslee. “With the Legislature’s assist, we’re making progress on staffing, vessel builds and electrification. Patty has been a relaxed voice in stabilizing and working our iconic ferry system via many tough challenges. I sit up for working with Steve to proceed our progress and guaranteeing clients are effectively served, and I thank Patty for her devoted service to our state.”
“Nevey brings a wealth of expertise to Washington State Ferries from a maritime profession spanning greater than twenty years aboard giant tankers, ferries and personal craft to shoreside operations for Holland America,” Millar stated. “Since day one becoming a member of Washington State Ferries in 2021, he has labored tirelessly together with his workforce and WSF management to seek out workable options to our staffing shortages and vessel-related upkeep and preservation challenges to make sure higher service and reliability in the long run for the customers of our WSF system. I sit up for working with him sooner or later and in addition need to thank Patty Rubstello for her service to all Washingtonians throughout a profession in public service with WSDOT for over 30 years. She was by no means one to shrink back from a problem and for that she has my utmost respect and appreciation.”
Nevey will chart the course of the most important ferry system in North America. His expertise spans on the water working for a ferry system in Scotland, main seagoing firms and the cruise trade. Nevey moved to Seattle in 2008, holding senior positions with Holland America Group, the place he gained expertise in ship retrofits and vessel upkeep, crew scheduling, human assets and profession monitoring for deck officers. Throughout the pandemic, Nevey helped lead 24/7 worldwide operations administration and emergency response.
In his position as director of marine operations for WSF, he has confirmed himself pivotal in addressing employees shortages by overseeing the creation of a number of new packages, together with a scholarship partnership designed to coach new deck officers and captains. In a brief time frame, Nevey’s revolutionary considering round these difficult points resulted in his receiving the Governor’s Award for Management in Administration in 2023.
