PORT ANGELES — Longtime Clallam Transit Maintenance Manger Kevin Gallacci has been selected as the agency’s next general manager.

The Clallam Transit board voted 7-0 to tab Gallacci after a half-hour executive session Monday.

Gallacci, 52, has served as maintenance manager since 2000 and acting general manger since April. The Port Angeles native has been a Transit employee since 1984.

The board did not discuss the hire prior to voting in open session.

“I thank you and appreciate all of you,” Gallacci said at the end of the board meeting.

“I’m hoping to do my best for you.”

Clallam Transit attorney Craig Miller said he would prepare an employment contract for the board to consider at its next meeting. The next meeting will be at 1 p.m. Sept. 18 at Forks City Hall, 500 E. Division St.

If approved, Gallacci’s contract will have an effective date retroactive to Monday, Miller said.

The Clallam Transit board interviewed candidates for general manager and evaluated their qualifications in a special meeting Aug. 11. No action was taken after that executive session, according to the minutes.

In a Monday interview, Gallacci said he had considered applying for the general manager position in the past.

“I’m certainly happy about it and I’m relieved,” Gallacci said of the board’s decision. “It’s been kind of a long process.”

Gallacci said his immediate priorities will be upcoming union negotiations, promoting the Strait Shot fixed route bus service to Bainbridge Island and improvements to the Clallam Transit fleet.

“I’ll still have the dual roles for a period, but I’m excited about it,” Gallacci said after the meeting. “It’s kind of a relief at this point.”

Gallacci has served as both maintenance manager and acting general manager since April 17, when the board accepted Wendy Clark-Getzin’s letter of resignation.

Clark-Getzin, who was placed on administrative leave for undisclosed reasons until her resignation took effect May 30, was hired as Clallam Transit general manager in April 2013.

Clallam Transit’s governing board is composed of representatives of the Port Angeles, Sequim and Forks city councils and Clallam County commissioners.

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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.