UPDATE: 5:45 p.m. Reached while on vacation, Lisa Farbstein said:
“I’m very excited by the opportunity to take the next step in my career and focus on the challenges facing national transportation security.”
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UPDATE: 4:05 p.m. Metro’s new “chief spokesperson” Dan Stessel told The Washington Examiner he’s pleased to return to the Washington region, where he lived for about a decade before decamping for New Jersey.
But the transit system isn’t the only thing that’s familiar to him. The new head of media relations at Metro has worked not just with General Manager Richard Sarles at NJ Transit, but also with him and his staff at Amtrak.
His new (and former) boss Lynn Bowersox said he came through the regular human resources process, though, and was the most qualified for the job out of 80 applicants.
His job will be slightly expanded from that held by Lisa Farbstein, Bowersox said, as it includes more social media and direct communications with riders.
She declined to release his salary but said he received no signing bonus.
His relocation package covers moving and temporary housing assistance not to exceed $20,000, according to Metro.
Stessel said he looks forward to helping create “a climate of openness and transparency.”
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Metro’s new general manager is shaking up his communication team, with a key change in who will be the public voice for the agency.
Lisa Farbstein, Metro’s director of media relations for the last decade, is resigning from the transit agency, according to a memo obtained by The Washington Examiner.
Dan Stessel, who does the same gig for NJ Transit, will take her place. He’s worn the flak jacket for Metro General Manager Richard Sarles before, when Sarles headed NJ Transit.
Stessel even confirmed the new job in his biography on his Twitter account: “Until May 20: Senior Director, Corporate Communications at New Jersey Transit … As of May 23: Chief Spokesperson/Dir. Communications at WMATA.”
He did not respond to a request for comment.
Farbstein, who is on vacation, could not be reached for comment. She is going to work for the Transportation Security Administration as a regional spokeswoman for New York and New Jersey, though she will remain based in the Washington region. Her last day at Metro is June 3, according to the memo.
“Over the last 10 years, Lisa has made important contributions to WMATA, working around-the-clock to represent the agency on a day-to-day basis and during some of our most difficult times,” according to a memo sent to employees.
The change means Sarles is putting his imprint on the agency and how it presents itself to the public. Stessel’s hire represents a clean sweep of the top echelon of the communications team, with Sarles bringing in allies from his home turf.
He brought in Barbara Richardson last spring as assistant general manager of corporate strategy and communications with a salary of $175,000 after working with her at Amtrak.
In November, he brought in Lynn Bowersox from NJ Transit, where she was assistant executive director in customer service and communications. Now she’s Metro’s managing director of public relations, a new position. She earns a $165,000 annual salary and received a $10,000 bonus.
Metro has not released a comment on the changeover. It was not public yet how much Stessel will earn in the position.
