Charlene Haught Johnson, founding chairwoman of the Water Transit Authority (today's Water Emergency Transportation Authority, or WETA) died on July 31 at the age of 74 after a long illness.
BY BOBBY WINSTON
Published: September, 2019
Charlene Haught Johnson, founding chairwoman of the Water Transit Authority (today’s Water Emergency Transportation Authority, or WETA) died on July 31 at the age of 74 after a long illness.
She was first appointed by Governor Gray Davis and then reappointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as chairwoman of the renamed WETA, serving as chairwoman of both agencies for a total of 14 years.
Johnson practiced law, specializing in property, probate and trust litigation. A native San Franciscan and lifelong resident of San Mateo and San Francisco counties, she graduated from San Francisco State University and received her law degree from Hastings College of the Law in 1974.
Johnson is recognized for her foundational contributions to the development of comprehensive regional ferry service—including the recruitment and development of professional staff, refurbishment of existing vessels, and construction of new vessels and terminals.
As chairwoman, she oversaw the growth of WTA, later WETA, from its nascence into a world-class regional ferry system serving five counties in the San Francisco Bay Area, and as an emergency transportation alternative in the event of a disaster.
She was the daughter of Charles Haught, a career naval officer, and Ursula Duane Haught. She is survived by her husband, Jeremiah F. Hallisey, her son, Charley Johnson of San Francisco, and two stepsons, Jeremy Hallisey of San Francisco and Sean Hallisey of Hayward.
On June 14, 2018, the WETA North Bay Operations Center on Mare Island was dedicated to her.
