Following some twists and turns, the Island Transit Board of Directors finalized a contract with a new executive director this week.

Melinda Adams, the current transportation services manager at Everett Transit, was chosen to lead the no-fare transit agency through a period of turmoil following the firings of top administrators and revelations of serious employee morale problems.

Adams, a Freeland resident, has 15 years of experience in the transit sector. She’s held key leaderships positions at Everett Transit. From March to June 2024, Adams served as acting director of Everett Transit, “where she demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to the region,” states the press release.

In addition, Adams has participated in several regional committees, including the Regional Transportation Operators Committee, the Snohomish County Public Information Officer Group and Transit Executives Mobility Partnerships. Perhaps more importantly, she is well liked among staff in her current job, according to Island Transit officials.

Adams, who has a business management degree from the University of Phoenix, will earn $160,000 a year.

“I feel so humbled and privileged to have been selected to work alongside the Island Transit employees and Board of Directors,” Adams said in a press release. “Together, we will restore trust and elevate service delivery to the Island County community. There is a great deal of work ahead, and I am confident we will achieve great things together.”

Earlier this year, the board unanimously voted to terminate then-Executive Director Todd Morrow after revelations that he didn’t clearly disclose that giant raises for some administrative positions were included in the budget; the HR director was fired a few weeks later. The board became aware of widespread morale problems and hired a consultant who described an unhealthy work culture and a lack of confidence in leadership.

In addition, the board expressed concern with service problems; a dearth of drivers has affected transit agencies across the nation.

Since the terminations, Langley City Councilmember Craig Cyr and Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon, both members of the board, have been working long unpaid hours as acting director and HR director, respectively. Other voting board members include Commissioners Janet St. Clair and Jill Johnson, Coupeville Councilmember Jenny Bright and Oak Harbor Councilmember Eric Marshall.

The process of finding a new executive director had a few bumps along the way. The headhunting firm hired by the board recommended candidates for the position. Island Transit sent out a press release announcing four finalists, but quickly withdrew one of the names after members of the public Googled his name and found that he left a prior agency following allegations of misuse of public funds.

Another candidate withdrew her name because she worked for a transit agency in North Carolina and felt compelled to stay and help rebuild following widespread destruction from a hurricane.

In the end, two candidates remained and Adams prevailed, but her contract wasn’t finalized immediately. Cyr said Adams asked for certain “provisions” in the contract to protect her employment. The board held a special session this week, without notifying the newspaper, and discussed the issue in executive session.

The decision to hire Adams was unanimous, Cyr said. He said he is confident in her leadership abilities.

“With her deep commitment to the community, Melinda will reestablish timely, reliable, and consistent transit services while fostering a positive work culture,” he said in a press release. “Melinda will restore trust with Island Transit staff and the board. I look forward to working with her as the agency not only continues its commitment to transition to zero emissions but also progressing toward a more resilient, sustainable future for our community.”

Island Transit provides no-fare public transportation services to the residents of Island County, including fixed-route bus service, on-demand service, paratransit and rideshare programs. The agency is funded by a small sales tax and grants.