Casco Bay Island Transit District, also known as Casco Bay Lines (CBL), has appointed John Warnock as the general manager following a unanimous vote by its board of directors. Warnock began work July 22.
“I am thrilled to return to Maine and get to work leading Casco Bay Lines,” Warnock said. “I look forward to starting out by riding the boats to meet captains and crew and Casco Bay islanders. My focus will be on safety first, on excellent service to islanders, good employee relations, and sound fiscal management.”
A search committee comprised of board members from Peaks, Long, Great Diamond, and Cliff islands worked with a recruiting firm to evaluate 75 applicants. The committee interviewed seven candidates and brought two in to visit Casco Bay Lines. Semifinalists rode boats to Peaks and Long islands and met with residents of several islands as well as three members of CBL senior staff and the union president.
“Hiring the right leader to put CBL on track for the future is important to the islanders we serve and to captains, crew and staff,” said Jean Hoffman, chairwoman of the search committee. “As a veteran of many searches, I can attest to the rigor and fairness of our process. John Warnock brings a history of learning, exceling at new challenges, effective management, and helping companies leverage technology to improve productivity and lower costs.”
Warnock will lead a team of management, marine, and shoreside personnel which grows from 40-plus year-round to 90 in the busy summer season. He will be responsible for leading day-to-day operations and long-range planning.
CBL’s Mission “is to provide sufficient dependable, reliable service in a safe and secure manner, as affordably as possible, to preserve our year-round island communities.”
Nate Mills, president of the CBL union and senior captain, cited Warnock’s “strong operational background and commitment to safety” and said they will benefit “both our team and the community we serve.”
Warnock had worked at Worldwide Counter Threat Solutions based in Virginia, where he helped clients with strategic planning and communications, process improvement, and IT transformation. Most recently, as a strategic communication analyst, he provided analysis and interpretation of federal and military codes, laws, operations orders and directives, as well as effective communications, staff collaboration, and program management.
Previously, Warnock was at NGROUP Performance Partners, an organization that does workforce management and helps companies leverage technology to increase productivity and lower costs.
At the Navy Operational Support Center Norfolk, he was in charge of 2,500 reserve sailors in 123 units who were responsible for getting the right people on the right missions for their 25 “customers” and then managing those assets on each mission. Warnock served in the Navy for 29 years.
For more information about Casco Bay Lines, visit www.cascobaylines.com.
