Capt. George A. Capacci has been named interim assistant secretary in charge of the Ferries Division for the Washington State Department of Transportation, State Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson announced Friday.

“I am pleased to select Capt. Capacci as Interim Assistant Secretary for Ferries,” Peterson said. “Along with bringing a wealth of fleet management experience and customer-focused leadership, he is a proven administrator who will reliably serve our ferry system until the position is filled permanently.”

Capacci will lead the ferry system until a permanent assistant secretary is selected for outgoing Assistant Secretary David Moseley, who resigned effective April 15.

Officials with the state Department of Transportation said the agency will conduct a nationwide search to find the best replacement for Moseley.

Moseley announced earlier this week he was stepping down as chief of Washington State Ferries after serving six years at the helm.

Capacci will serve as interim assistant secretary beginning April 16.

Capacci joined WSF in 2009 as regional port captain and was promoted to deputy chief of operations and construction for ferries in 2010.

“I am honored by the confidence Transportation Secretary Peterson placed in me,” Capacci said. “My top priority is to uphold the high standards Mr. Moseley set for the ferry system.”

In his current position, Capacci is responsible for overseeing ferry operations, vessel maintenance and preservation and terminal engineering.

Prior to joining WSF, Capacci served as vice president of fleet operations for BC Ferries in Victoria and general manager of the Alaska Marine Highway System in Juneau, Alaska. Previously, he served in the Coast Guard, including five years in command of USCG cutters.

Capacci graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a bachelor of science in engineering and George Washington University with a master’s degree in public administration.

Peterson said the state hiring committee is moving as quickly as possible to fill the vacancy.

“We’re conducting a nationwide search, casting a wide net, to find the best person for the job and will include external stakeholders in the process,” she said.