Steamship Authority officials have raised concerns about the outcry from the public and about media headlines that have criticized the ferry line, saying that the hailstorm of criticism and “slander” has discouraged some qualified candidates from pursuing the top position at the Steamship.
Jim Malkin, chairman and Island representative of the Steamship Authority board, read from a prepared statement at a meeting last Thursday, noting that candidates had removed their applications from consideration because of the politically charged environment.
The names of the candidates that had dropped out were not listed at the meeting, nor was the board specific about how many had stepped down because of the public dialogue, but Malkin specifically noted one candidate, and he did not mince his words.
“Specifically, the yearlong attacks on the board, Port Council, and staff negatively impacted the search for a new general manager,” Malkin read. “The weekly streams of Freedom of Information Act requests from several Island residents, and a Woods Hole resident, for years of correspondence, for copies of all communication on SSA projects and decisions, has turned candidates away. The solicited campaign of letters to Island newspapers and social media slander has made the general manager job undesirable for some very qualified people.
“The ability of the board, the Port Council, [and] SSA staff to move forward and focus is hindered, even jeopardized, by the constant attacks from backseat drivers,” his statement continued. “The loss of a number of qualified candidates for the GM position has not served anyone well. It is unfortunate, frustrating, and not helpful for Vineyard residents.”
The statement, which was supported by other board and Steamship Port Council members present at Thursday’s meeting, comes as the ferry line is looking to replace outgoing manager Bob Davis, who announced his resignation amid a flurry of public pushback last year.
The Steamship’s general manager search committee met on Thursday to discuss next steps in the replacement process. Without naming the individuals, the committee announced that it had two finalists who would go before the full Steamship board, likely within the next few weeks. One of the finalists is an internal candidate. The board noted that it wouldn’t announce the names of the final two candidates until it posts a meeting for the public interviews.
But while procedural matters were on the agenda, Malkin’s statement overshadowed the meeting. And while there was support from other committee members for Malkin’s statement, Rob Munier, Falmouth Port Council representative, worried that the statement might be misconstrued. “I don’t want to have a perception that the candidates that we have are the only ones standing because of issues mentioned,” Munier said.
Committee members responded that that was not the case. “We’re lucky to have the two we got,” Nat Lowell said.
The reaction from a group of Island and Woods Hole residents who were not specifically named in Malkin’s statement, but who have been very vocal about opposition to the Steamship, was swift.
“Any strong candidate would be doing their homework before accepting a position, and would not be deterred by citizens raising valid issues,” reads a statement from the Steamship Authority Citizens’ Action Group. “Candidates need to understand the problems facing the Authority and be willing to embrace the challenge.
“The GM search committee chair went as far as to accuse reform advocates of slander,” the statement continued. “We await a response to our request for the foundation of such an accusation. We stand by our efforts to bring reform to the Steamship Authority.”
Thursday’s meeting began with Jonathan Pearse of Faststream Recruitment, who had been tapped to find the ferry line’s next head, providing a recap of how they had gotten to the two finalists, saying they had originally reviewed 131 candidates. Pearse said that there was a “small group” of applicants that withdrew from the process because of the level of public scrutiny targeted toward the Steamship top position, especially through local media and online. He recalled that some candidates were concerned in the process, and said they did not want to risk a stable career path to go for this position.
But he added that overall, candidates appreciated the Steamship, and some noted that they were accustomed to accountability and being in the public eye.
Reality check Jim:
You and your colleagues have allowed the Steamship Authority to be consistently mismanaged to a point of public frustration and further poured gas on the fire by giving the last GM a sweetheart exit package that only a Fortune 500 CEO could dream of. That being said, you and the rest of the leadership class of the island have laid the groundwork for this to be a terrific (not) place to come and work for educational and transportation executive types. The reality that these professionals looking to move here can do better and should probably just try to join forces with the rest of the accomplished world and dream to have a two month a year home on the Vineyard instead of actually trying to move here and contend with the Island’s dysfunctional inner workings in a daily basis.
The reality is that despite having such a beautiful island, many people here are much more focused on what makes them unhappy and the ferry mismanagement is towards the top of most people’s list.
How ridiculous it is to blame the unhappy consumers for this issue. Instead of placing blame and using excuses, maybe take the complaints and actually DO SOMETHING to fix the issues. Instead of rewarding a departing employee with a ludicrous pay out, you could actually pay a true living wage to employees. Maybe then there would not cancellations due to staffing issues shortages. I do have to say, I don’t trust anything the SSA and their reporting.
Tragic news: Some top-tier candidates have fled the Steamship Authority job search—apparently spooked by things like… questions, public meetings, and letters to the editor.
Imagine applying for a high-paid public job and discovering that the public might notice you exist. Terrifying!
the Steamship Authority’s message to the public is clear: “Please be quiet, you’re scaring the applicants.”
Why do people always play the blame game?
Could it be that qualified candidates saw just how mismanaged and inept the SSA has become and ran for the hills? Sorry Jim, this mess falls squarely on you and the rest of the port council who sat back and watched Davis run the SSA into the ground. When he should have been fired, you gave him raises. And let’s not get into the severance package…
Time for a complete overhaul of this mismanaged monopoly. No accountability ever. Cry us a river Bill. Maybe it’s time for you to step down.
Seriously? Take responsibility for your actions and inactions. We, the public, depend on the SSA. Instead of excuses and trying to blame others.
If you communicated well, fixed problems and didn’t have the gall to increase prices while delivering inconsistent service there’d be no reason for people to raise our voices.
And consider…if a candidate is scared off by a challenging situation could they be doing all of us a favor?
Perfect example of “Shoot the messenger.”
Very questionable decision on the part of Jim Malkin to decide to pen this accusation directed toward constituents that actually comes down to an implied blackmail: Don’t complain or we won’t be able to hire a new general manager.
The buck stops with the Steamship Authority Board.
Maybe what we need is a new board.
Blame the messenger much?
SSA Management: Look in the mirror, please!
Its no wonder the SSA is in the state it is. Blaming citizens and the media for the Steamship’s leadership crisis is absurd. Public scrutiny isn’t “slander”—it’s accountability ( see current Oval Office tenant). Strong leaders welcome transparency and challenge; they don’t run from it. If a few candidates withdrew because captive customers demanded better service and governance, that only proves how urgently reform is needed. The problem isn’t criticism—it’s performance, culture, and credibility.
It is tautologically apparent that anyone who doesn’t want to take the heat or can’t handle it is not qualified. I thank them for realizing this may not be the job for them and getting out of the kitchen. A qualified person has to have the ability to listen, respond in a coherent way and be able to compromise when needed. They have to be articulate, flexible, rational and willing to do what they think is right. I wonder if any of those points are on the job application ? As far as transparency goes– It is my opinion that the SSA’s efforts to restrict the transparency of their decision making processes is a major part of the reason the public has such a poor opinion if it. Mr. Makin–You mention that the SSA has to respond to “weekly streams of Freedom of Information Act requests”. It is my opinion that no one should ever have to file a freedom of information act request. It should all be out there to begin with. Full transparency will help the public’s perception. To paraphrase a well know phrase, “Transparency will set you free.”– Maybe not — but it can’t hurt.
Malkin should read the Enabling Act.
SSA has a responsiblity to all citizens of the Commonwealth and a particular responsibility to ALL of the ports in which it operates. Because they are the ones at risk if the mismanagement drives SSA into deficit positions.
Look at why you are in business! It’s not to build extravagant buildings or to take risks by buying old vessels a returning them without the knowledge it takes.
GET DOWN TO BASICS. Operate ships efficiently without polluting our ports. When you start doing that the storm will pass.
Was it a joke when it was reported that the people doing the current “reservation system” overhaul were paid major dollars basically stopped and disappeared because of the incompetence of the bidder? Is there no other ferry computer reservation system that could have been cloned? Or, for that matter, an airline system? Why does the SSA insist on reinventing the wheel? And let’s not even discuss the Woods Hole Taj Mahal -, what a total mess. What’s wrong with the current ticket office? Put a couple more benches in it, and it’s fine, from a consumer point of view.
My daughter gave me a book where I’m supposed to write 5 things I am grateful for each day. Today I’m definitely writing as number one that I’m grateful not to be in Jim Malkin’s shoes.
It’s not rocket science. It’s 2026 technology has been abound for an extensive period of time. That severance package could have been put to better use. Or you could have made them do their job.
Hahahaha!
It is with some sadness that my heart goes out to Jim Malkin after reading some of these comments, and knowing some of what he has endured during his tenure as the Vineyard’s representative on the SSA governing board. He sought the position knowing more than most what he was in for. He knew for instance from the outset, that he had a target painted on his front and back, and that what the SSA needed most was a change in leadership at the top. He dedicated himself to make that change happen. He knew because he had run companies, and helped others sort themselves out when they were in trouble. Private corporations, however, operate differently from public entities, such as the SSA, where the governing board is chosen by five different political entities each with a parochial interest in the service the organization is required to provide by law. Those separate interests are usually not congruent, as he quickly discovered, which is the reason it has taken so many years to reach this point of finding a new general manager for the SSA. Anyone with even a superficial understanding of the internal dynamics of governing boards would realize that the monumental effort required to get us to this imminent, much needed, and overdue change at the SSA is largely Jim Malkin’s doing. He deserves our gratitude and a medal not the ignorant criticism he’s getting because he’s not the miracle worker that the “backseat drivers” on the Vineyard and in Falmouth have wanted him to be. A lessor man would have given up in frustration and disgust. Fortunately for us that hasn’t been the case.
Oh please, do I hear violins? He needs to do his job as a representative of the Island Community, not make excuses for the poor management of the SSA!
The SSA is a public agency not a private entity and it has no stockholders who suffer from a share price. The public has a right to be disappointed but their issue is with the Board not the CEO. The CEO ostensibly operates with authority and accountability given to him by the Board and to his Measures of Performance. He is not accountable directly to the population of the islands but to the Board. Many Candidates for CEO would be cautious about taking a job wherein they are subject to catcalls, criticisms and FOIA on a constant basis and have little or no protection from the Board. In addition the governing board of non congruent five interests from 5 separate towns reins down on the CEO often unfairly. The Board on the other hand should be able to handle all complaints and give rationale for the failures including criticism of the CEO but their first responsibility is to deal with their CEO and force him to improve. If there are extenuating circumstances why ferry service is poor they should explain it to their constituents. As for the severance package I am quite sure it came as a contractual promise when the CEO first took the job and it is common in order to attract and retain. Yes it is true that a good CEO will come out swinging and explain everything to the general public if he is indeed a victim of many ephemeral issues that affected the performance of the Ferries. However it is understandable that a CEO candidate doesnt want to walk into this chaos
What? Really? The public calling out the SSAs bad management, planning, public relations and operations is the problem for hiring a new GM? It’s NOT the actual bad management, planning, public relations and operations? This is just so typical of the upside down and backwards administrative culture within the SSA. Shameful and lazy.
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