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Letter to the editor

PSTA chooses newdirector

Salary negotiations have begun to hire a transportation veteran from Portland, Ore.

By CRISTINA SILVA, Times Staff Writer
Published September 20, 2007

For years, Pinellas County officials have struggled to transform the area's anachronistic transportation system.

As other major cities embraced new technologies and moved toward comprehensive transit systems, county officials hemmed and hawed over how and when to move forward. A proposed Bus Rapid Transit system was stalled because officials couldn't agree on a route. Discussion of a regional transit system has been limited.

But Tuesday, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority board members shared a renewed sense of hope while interviewing three finalists for the agency's vacant executive director position.

The three finalists hailed from metropolitan areas with successful transportation agencies, but in the end, Timothy S. Garling, senior director of operations of the transit authority in Portland, Ore., was selected out of 35 applicants to serve as the agency's new executive director.

Board members said they were excited about Garling's experience, as well as his promise to help make Pinellas a "livable community" by improving bus routes and promoting the PSTA brand.

During interviews, Garling pledged to immerse himself in the community by joining various civic organizations and reaching out to business leaders.

"You can't be a partner with anybody if you are not meeting and talking with them," he said. "If you want to raise your profile, you've got to be there, you've got to be a part of the community."

In his current position, Garling, a 25-year transportation veteran, oversees a staff of 1,500 employees. He also supervised the recent development of a new commuter rail system that is scheduled to open next year in Oregon. He holds a master's degree in public administration from Iowa State University.

The two other finalists were Phillip Washington of Aurora, Colo., and Carol E. Wise of Columbus, Ohio.

PSTA staff members began searching for applicants after former executive director Roger Sweeney announced he would resign in July after 16 years of service.

Sweeney had clashed with officials in St. Petersburg over the proposed rapid bus system, with the two sides disagreeing on the design of the vehicle and its route. He also has faced sharp criticism for what critics called his go-it-alone style.

On Tuesday, board members said they wanted an executive director who would regularly initiate a dialogue about the PSTA's progress.

"We have had some growing pains," said chairwoman Deborah Kynes, vice mayor of Dunedin. "What we really need now is someone who will be able to say, 'I have been through something like this before, and this is how I handled it.'"

Board members also said the PSTA needed to do a better job of marketing itself and its services.

St. Petersburg council member Herb Polson said few people would even know what PSTA stood for if asked.

"They would probably think it's a medical malady," he joked.

PSTA staff members have begun negotiating hiring terms, including salary and benefits, with Garling. Board members hope to have the matter resolved soon, said PSTA spokesman Bob Lasher.

If Garling turns down the position, Washington is next in line for the job, Lasher said.

At least one resident lamented the board's decision Tuesday.

Marshall Cook of Pinellas Park said board members missed an opportunity to diversify the PSTA staff by not hiring Washington, a black man, or Wise, a black woman.

"There still is a glass ceiling," he said.

Cristina Silva can be reached at csilva@sptimes.com or 727 893-8846.

[Last modified September 19, 2007, 22:47:38]