In a recent statement issued by the State Transportation Commission, it was announced that Member Bob Distler, who is from Orcas Island, will serve as Vice-chair of the Washington State Transportation Commission.The new Chair is Carol Moser from Richland. Commission members elect new officers every year; their terms become effective on July 1.
Distler came to the Commission in 2005 with an economics background and a career spanning several areas of transportation management – marketing, planning, operations, and government and industry affairs. Since moving to Orcas Island in 1972, Distler’s volunteer efforts have focused on transportation and growth management issues involving Washington State Ferries and San Juan County.
Moser has been a member of the Transportation Commission since 2006, having served for 10 years on the Richland City Council. She has also served on a variety of transportation boards including the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, Board of Directors for the Association of Washington Cities, Ben-Franklin Transit Board of Directors, Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, and is currently Chair of the Governor’s State Aviation Planning Council.
The Washington State Transportation Commission is an independent state agency that provides a public forum for transportation policy development. It reviews and evaluates how the entire transportation system works across the state and issues the state’s 20-year Transportation Plan. As the State Tolling Authority, the Commission sets tolls for state highways and bridges and fares for Washington State Ferries. The seven-member board is comprised of private citizens who are appointed by the Governor for six-year terms.
