After ten years’ service, Intercity Transit’s general manager to retire this month

Posted

Ann Freeman-Manzanares, who has been serving as Intercity Transit’s (IT) general manager since 2013, is set to retire on March 31 after serving in the agency for 30 years.

Director of Operations Emily Bergkamp is set to act as interim general manager for eight months starting on April 1 until an ad hoc committee composed of Intercity Transit (IT) members selects the new general manager.

Freeman-Manzanares was emotional as she bade farewell to the IT on Wednesday, March 1.

“Thank you so much for all the support just throughout the years and [for] allowing all of us to be bold and unafraid as we pursue this transformational public transit system,” Freeman-Manzanares said.

Freeman-Manzanares informed the body that she would continue living in the community while spending more time with her family and traveling to experience public transit systems in other countries.

IT members commended Freeman-Manzanares’s leadership in their parting words. IT Chair and Olympia Mayor Pro Tem Clark Gilman said the agency would continue to have strong leadership thanks to Freeman-Manzanares’ efforts.

“The effort you put in building a super strong leadership team for the agency means that like all the rest of us humans, you actually can leave to do something else, knowing that there's really strong leadership at the organization,” said Gilman. “I think that's the finest testament to an executive is that you can step away and know that the work will continue.”

Other IT members praised her for “transformational” policies during her term, such as the suspension of fares which started during the pandemic.

“I've so appreciated Ann’s leadership and we have done so many transformational things. Zero-Fare is transformational,” said IT member and Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan.

“I've gone to DC with Ann and staff a couple of times for [American Public Transportation Association] conferences and the respect nationwide that Ann has as a general manager is phenomenal. We are going to miss her greatly,” Sullivan added.

Sullivan is part of the ad hoc general manager selection committee, which would also include Lacey City Councilmember Robin Vazquez and citizen representatives Justin Belk and Don Melnick.

Gilman said that Intercity Transit is likely to conduct the selection and hiring process through internal human resources, adding that they are confident that they could conduct a national search within the transit industry.

Comments

1 comment on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

  • PeteKmet

    Thank you Ann for your many years of service at Intercity Transit. As General Manager, you have taken IT to the next level with service improvements, new vehicles, and improved and expanded support facilities. All this, while at the same time managing the agency through the pandemic, one of our most trying times. You have done it all with grace and compassion. I've enjoyed working with you. I wish you all the best in retirement.

    Pete Kmet, Fmr Tumwater Mayor

    Saturday, March 4, 2023 Report this