Speakers

	BRUCE AGNEW Cascadia Academy Bruce Agnew is the director of the Cascadia Academy. The Academy works on national and regional passenger rail, US Canada border issues, freight mobility and passenger only ferries through public private partnerships. From 1987 to 1993, Mr. Agnew was chief of staff for US Representative John Miller from Washington State’s First District. Before his congressional service, Bruce Agnew was elected to two terms on the Snohomish County Council and served as president of the Puget Sound Regional Council in 1985. He is the co-chair of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region and a member of the executive board of the Can Am Border Trade Alliance based in New York. Mr. Agnew is a 1974 graduate of Stanford University and a 1977 graduate of UC Berkeley Law School (Boalt Hall).
	RAY BUCHEGER FBB Federal Relations Ray Bucheger has more than a decade of experience in Washington, D.C., working in state government and on Capitol Hill. Ray is a partner at FBB Federal Relations, where he focuses on federal lobbying, and at the Pioneer Group, a full-service public affairs company that offers a full suite of services, including local/community organizing; municipal, state and federal lobbying; labor relations; and strategic communications and media strategy, with a focus on the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. Drawing on his diverse experience and extensive contacts at the White House, throughout the executive branch, and on Capitol Hill, Ray guides his clients, which include Fortune 500 companies, public and non-profit entities, and regional, national and international organizations, through a wide range of issue areas, including public transit, energy, infrastructure, surface and maritime transportation, taxes, defense, homeland security, and tribal issues. Ray achieves results by building multi-state, bi-partisan coalitions on and off Capitol Hill. Ray earned his undergraduate degrees in economics and political science and a master of science in applied economics (MSAE) at Marquette University. He lives with his wife and two young children in Washington, D.C.
	CAPTAIN GEORGE CAPACCI Former Deputy Chief, Washington State Ferries Captain George Capacci has served in executive management positions within three major roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry systems in the Pacific Northwest for the past eighteen years. He most recently worked with Washington State Ferries (WSF) as deputy chief, operations & construction, with a stint as interim director during the summer of 2014. Prior to joining WSF, Captain Capacci was vice president, fleet operations of British Columbia Ferry Services, Inc. in Victoria, BC, Canada. He previously was port captain and then general manager of the Alaska Marine Highway System in Juneau, Alaska. This ferry experience has been built upon a seagoing career in the US Coast Guard serving on polar icebreakers, seagoing buoytenders, and law enforcement cutters, predominately in Alaskan waters. Captain Capacci is currently working as a private maritime consultant in Seattle, and recently joined the Northwest Seaport Maritime Heritage Center as a board member. Captain Capacci graduated from the US Coast Guard Academy with a BS in engineering, and the George Washington University with a master’s in public administration. Captain Capacci holds an unlimited master’s license and lives in Seattle, WA.
	KEVIN J. CLARK Argosy Cruises Kevin Clark began his career with Deloitte in 1977, and in 1989 he created his own emerging business tax and executive financial services practice which he ultimately merged with the Seattle firm of Von Harten & Company, Inc. CPA’s. Since 1993 both he and his wife Cary have had a financial and working interest in Argosy Cruises. Kevin actively served as a partner and advisor to Argosy during the years 1993 to 2005, and he and his wife acquired controlling interest of Argosy in 2006. Since 2006 they have expanded their operations to now include Tillicum Village on Blake Island and are presently designing and looking forward to adding new vessels to their fleet. Argosy has a fleet of 8 vessels providing daily narrated tours of Lakes Washington, Lake Union and Elliott Bay; public-private ferry services; and private charters. Kevin actively serves on the Washington Tourism Alliance board of directors/executive committee; Visit Seattle board of directors; Seattle Greater Chamber of Commerce board of trustees/executive committee; Passenger Vessel Association finance committee.
	STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUDY CLIBBORN Washington State, 41st Legislative District Representative Clibborn has a distinguished 20 year career in public service. She first became engaged in politics as a private citizen, and soon after ran for a seat on the Mercer Island City Council. She went on to serve as both a councilmember and mayor of Mercer Island before joining the legislature. January will mark her 14th year in the House of Representative and her 9th year chairing the Transportation Committee. As a legislator, Representative Clibborn’s top priority has been building a comprehensive, modern transportation system that connects communities and grows our economy. She was one of the chief architects behind the bipartisan transportation package that passed the legislature in 2015, earning praise from businesses, transit advocates, labor organizations, local governments, and commuters across the state. Her dedication and ability to work across the aisle have been recognized both locally and nationally. Representative Clibborn has been a Mercer Island resident for 48 years. She is married with three adult children and five grandchildren. She holds both a BS and RN from the University of Washington.
	MARC GREENOUGH Foster Pepper, PLLC Marc Greenough is a member in the municipal government and public finance practices at Foster Pepper PLLC in Seattle, Washington. Marc serves as bond counsel, underwriters’ counsel and disclosure counsel on general obligation financings by state, local and tribal governments. In addition, Marc has extensive experience in structuring municipal and public/private ventures and in providing representation in administrative proceedings and litigation. Since 2010, Marc has been recognized by “Best Lawyers in America” for public finance law. He is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers, Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys, Washington Finance Officers Association, Alaska Municipal Attorneys Association, Alaska Government Finance Officers Association and Oregon Municipal Finance Officers Association, among other community organizations. Marc received his JD from the University of Washington School of Law and his AB from Columbia University.
	REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD T. GROMLICH US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Richard T. Gromlich serves as the commander of the Thirteenth Coast Guard District headquartered in Seattle, Washington. As the district commander, he is responsible for US Coast Guard operations and personnel covering 4 states, more than 4,400 miles of coastline, 600 miles of inland waterways, and a 125 nm international border with Canada. Rear Admiral Gromlich’s prior assignments include the Coast Guard’s first director of Operational Logistics, director of the Mission Support Integration Office, chief of the Office of Logistics, director of the Logistics Transformation Program Integration Office, substantially increasing the Coast Guard’s operational readiness during major contingency operations. Rear Admiral Gromlich also served as the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Aircraft Repair and Supply Center, now the Aviation Logistics Center, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina and executive officer of Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and aeronautical engineering officer at Air Station Savannah, Georgia. A native of Milton, Pennsylvania, Rear Admiral Gromlich graduated from the US Coast Guard Academy in 1983 with a bachelor of science in civil engineering. He completed Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida in 1986. In 1997, he earned a master of science in industrial administration from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Business. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit (three awards), Meritorious Service Medals (three awards), Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and two Commandant Letters of Commendations.
	STATE SENATOR STEVE HOBBS Washington State, 44th District Senator Steve Hobbs has been a member of the Washington State Senate since 2006. He serves as the top democrat on the Transportation Committee and also serves on the Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee as well as the Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development Committee. In addition to representing the people of the 44th district, he is a member of the Washington Army National Guard and proudly served in Kosovo and Iraq. Senator Hobbs’ expansive policy agenda includes promoting local job creation through helping small businesses and improving our transportation infrastructure ; promoting legislation that holds state government accountable for the dollars we spend; and working with the community to create new and innovative approaches to strengthening our education system. He is particularly focused on expanding programs in our high schools and colleges that will prepare our students for the growing demand in the high-tech industries both at home and globally. Steve also continues to advocate for our service members and their families in Washington State by drafting policies to develop useful legislation to help in education, finding good family wage jobs, and protecting veterans’ rights. Steve has been married to his wife Pam since 1995 and together they are raising three boys: Gavin, Truman, and Winston all of whom attend public schools. Raised in a working class family, Steve was taught to value education and hard work. In 2011, he received a master’s of public administration from the University of Washington Evans School. In 1994 he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Washington. He also holds an associate’s degree from Everett Community College.
	CAROLYN HORGAN Blue & Gold Fleet Carolyn Horgan is the president of Blue & Gold Fleet, L.P., operating a fleet of 19 vessels and providing bay cruise tours and excursions, as well as ferry service throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Horgan has 39 years of experience in vessel operations. She was the first female dispatcher hired in the Bay Area. Before joining Blue & Gold Fleet as the vice president in 1997, she spent more than 20 years at Crowley Maritime’s Red and White Fleet. Horgan holds a BA in mass communications from the University of Denver and an MBA in marketing from Golden Gate University. She is a past president of the Passenger Vessel Association (2013), and previously served the organization as Western Region chair (2003-2006), member of the board of directors (2005 to present), secretary/treasurer (2011) and vice president (2012). Additionally, Horgan is an active member of the Port of San Francisco’s Maritime Commerce Advisory Committee and sits on the board of directors of the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District (FWCBD). She is also a member of the FWCBD’s Sustainability Committee. A mother to two sons and a grandmother to one, Horgan resides in Piedmont, California with her husband, Jon.
	BRAD JURKOVICH Fisher Jurkovich Public Affairs Brad Jurkovich brings nearly 27 years of experience as a public affairs consultant, senior advisor to state government leaders, and staff for business association public policy programs. Brad has considerable experience in public policy issue project management, including creating public education strategies and managing coalition-building projects. Recent clients include the Washington Ferry Coalition, Friends of the Port of Olympia, Port of Seattle, Puget Sound Energy and the Partnership for Washington’s Waters and Workers. Brad served as the senior leadership advisor from 2001 to 2004 on a broad range of business and major transportation issues to the House Democratic Caucus (HDC), reporting directly to the Speaker of the House, House Majority Leader and Caucus Chairman. He provided support on successful bi-partisan legislative issues including aerospace and transportation packages. Brad holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the Atkinson Graduate School at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.
	STATE SENATOR MARKO LIIAS Washington State, 21st District Senator Marko Liias has represented the 21st Legislative District (Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mukilteo, Everett) in Washington State since 2008. Throughout his service in the legislature, Marko has focused on policies to advance a strong economy based on good-paying jobs, a safe and quality education system, and a balanced transportation system that serves the whole community. Marko is a graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, DC and has studied public administration at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Affairs. He volunteers with the Kamiak High School Debate Team and serves on the boards of the Transportation Choices Coalition and the Seattle Repertory Theater.
	DAVID MOSELEY DM Consulting David Moseley recently retired after a 40 year career in public service. His service included director of the City of Seattle, Department of Community Development; city manager in 3 separate jurisdictions in Washington State; and, he concluded his career as the director of the Washington State Ferries. David continues to be active in civic activities and owns DM Consulting focusing on management, operational and community relation issues.
	PETER PHILIPS Philips Publishing Group Peter is the president of Philips Publishing Group, publishers of trade journals for the maritime and transportation industries. In the years since Philips Publishing was founded by Peter’s father in 1983, the company has grown to become the largest maritime and transportation publishing house on the West Coast. Titles include Pacific Maritime Magazine, aimed at West Coast commercial vessel and terminal operators, FOGHORN, the official publication of the Passenger Vessel Association, Clipper Vacations Magazine, published for Seattle’s Clipper Navigation, Catalina Express Magazine, published for Catalina Express, Pacific Fisheries Review and Fishermen’s News, the oldest commercial fishing publication on the Pacific Coast. In addition to publishing trade journals, Philips Publishing also specializes in creative design services for the maritime and transportation industries, with clients across the country. Peter is the immediate past president of the Seattle Marine Business Coalition, which represents the interests of marine industrial land users. Peter is past president of the Port of Seattle Chapter of the Propeller Club, and past regional vice president, West Coast, of the International Propeller Club. Peter has a BA in history from Whitman College, and has been employed in the maritime publishing field since 1985.
	BYRON A. RHETT Port of San Francisco Byron A. Rhett, a former veteran of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency is the deputy director of planning & development for the Port of San Francisco. Mr. Rhett is responsible for overseeing all planning and development activities at the Port including the implementation of large scale, mixed-use commercial, recreational and industrial projects. He manages implementation of the Port's estimated $1 billion waterfront projects including the James R. Herman International Cruise Terminal at Pier 27, restoration of the historic Ferry Building, and Exploratorium at Piers 15-17, to name a few. Prior to joining the Port, Mr. Rhett was a senior project manager for the Redevelopment Agency managing the Hunters Point Shipyard project and nearby Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood development projects. Previously, he worked as a planner for the City of Newark, New Jersey, the Newark Watershed Conservation and Development Corporation and special assistant in the city manager's office in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Rhett holds a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and design from the University of Cincinnati and is a National Urban Fellow at Occidental College. He resides in San Francisco with his wife and their two sons.
	JOHN SAINSBURY HMS Consulting and Technical As president of HMS Consulting and Technical, John is responsible for the management of all technical, regulatory and business consulting activities of the HMS Consulting team. John is a marine transportation graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY who also completed minor studies in marine engineering. John has also completed various additional studies in project management and business management. He currently holds a US Coast Guard master’s license for vessels to 1,600 gross tons, any oceans. He has sailed in various sectors of the industry, including deep sea, towing, passenger and general cargo, thereby gaining valuable experience before moving ashore as a manager. Over the years John has progressed through marine operational management positions in the passenger vessel industry to the level of president and general manager. He has provided valuable maritime consulting services, to include; risk management, regulatory compliance, vessel construction and repair, business planning and feasibility and financial analysis.
	PATRICK VASICEK, PE, LEED-AP, GPCP, GGP Art Anderson Associates Patrick Vasicek is an expert in civil and environmental engineering, waterfront design and ferry system and terminal design and construction. Since coming to Art Anderson Associates in 2004, Patrick has been a key leader in planning, design, management and environmental compliance for waterfront infrastructure projects, such as ferry terminals, marinas and industrial infrastructure. He is very familiar with the specific challenges of determining ferry system and infrastructure needs over a multi-decade planning horizon, having led the development of long-term ferry plans for multiple ferry agencies. He has served in essential leadership and negotiation roles securing grants, permits and approvals to support projects, understanding the importance of teamwork and communication to project success. A retired US Navy captain with 35 years of active duty and reserve US Navy experience, he has served in prominent roles in the areas of waterfront infrastructure and environmental cleanup and compliance. With the Navy, he was principal or project manager for projects ranging from small pier and wharf repairs to multiple $500M-plus waterfront infrastructure programs throughout the Pacific Rim and Indian Ocean.
	ED WELCH Passenger Vessel Association Edmund B. Welch has been legislative director for the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) since 1997. PVA is the national trade association representing owners and operators of commercial US-flagged passenger vessels of all types, including ferries. Others for whom Ed currently provides or previously performed legislative services include the Union of Greek Shipowners; the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association; Dare County, NC; and other maritime and agricultural organizations. From 1975 to 1994, Ed served on the staff of the US House of Representatives, including 12 years as staff director and chief counsel of the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. This committee had jurisdiction over shipping, the Coast Guard, the Panama Canal, numerous coastal and marine environmental laws, and offshore energy resources. Ed was extremely involved in the debates on and drafting of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. He is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a long-time trustee for the North Carolina chapter of the Nature Conservancy.
	STATE REPRESENTATIVE HANS ZEIGER Washington State, 25th District Hans Zeiger is serving his third term in the Washington State House of Representatives for the 25th District (Puyallup, Fife, South Hill, Summit, Waller, Midland and Parkland). He serves on the Transportation, Higher Education, Rules, Community Development, Housing, and Tribal Affairs Committees. Outside of the legislature Hans leads the Chapman Center for Citizen Leadership at the Seattle-based Discovery Institute, and he is a second lieutenant in the Washington Air National Guard. Hans' civic and volunteer activities include the boards of the One Another Foundation, the Puyallup Kiwanis Foundation, Boy Scouts of America Pacific Harbors Council, the William D. Ruckelshaus Center, and the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition. A graduate of Puyallup High School, Hans holds a BA from Hillsdale College and a master's degree in public policy from Pepperdine University.