Island Transit board members have chosen four finalists to be the next executive director for the agency.

The public is invited to meet them during an informal public reception 4-6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8 at the Island Transit Operations and Administration Building on Highway 20 in Coupeville.

Island Transit board members are hoping for feedback from the community.

Mike Nortier stepped down as executive director after running the agency for two years. As the former commanding officer of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Nortier didn’t have any transit experience before taking the job, but he’s credited with turning the agency around after a period of controversy and financial problems.

Nortier’s last day was Oct. 26. Under the agency’s bylaws, the transit board chairperson, Island County Commissioner Rick Hannold, is the interim director until a permanent person is hired for the position.

Nortier’s salary was set at $120,000 a year when he was hired.

The board hired the Portman Company to assist with the search for the new director. The finalists are as follows:

• MELINDA ADAMS has been with Everett Transit for nearly 10 years as program manager. Prior to that, Adams was a grant writer for Snohomish County.

• WES FRYSZTACKI has been the director of the city and county of Honolulu Department of Transportation for the past two years. From 1987-2016, Frysztacki worked in public transportation as president of Weslin Consulting Services.

• CARLA MEYER has been the general manager for Mendocino Transit Authority since 2016. Before that, she was general manager for Amador Transit for six years.

• TODD MORROW is project management analyst for Intercity Transit. He was previously with Community Transit, serving as chief of external affairs for two years, chief of strategic communications for more than 10 years and in intergovernmental relations for three years.