Arnold Transit Company is reborn as one Mackinac ferry service rebrands, hires new leader

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – A storied name in Mackinac history, the Arnold Transit Company, is being reborn on the Straits as the Mackinac Island Ferry Company rebrands itself with the moniker of one of the area’s original passenger service fleets.

The company late Wednesday also announced new leadership, with a well-respected island captain and business owner Veronica Dobrowolski taking the helm as president. She will be supported by a few other well-known island names, including Dan Musser, former owner of Grand Hotel.

“I am honored that the Hoffmann Family of Companies has the faith in myself and those individuals named and those several unnamed others who have agreed to help with this transition,” Dobrowolski said in a statement. “My goal is to establish a quality ferry service for the cities of St. Ignace, Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island in the time-honored tradition since 1878 of Arnold Transit Company.”

A Whirlwind of Change

The new name and new leader are the latest changes in what’s been a whirlwind two months for the ferry company. In late June, Mackinac Island Ferry Company, formerly known as Star Line, was purchased by Hoffmann Marine, part of the Florida-based Hoffman Family of Companies private equity firm.

CEO Jerry Fetty initially stayed with the company, but was fired a few weeks later. Hoffmann Marine, which also owns Shepler’s – the island’s competing ferry service – asked Chris Shepler to oversee daily operations of both ferry fleets. In mid-August, Hoffmann officials asked the island’s city council for permission to suspend passenger service aboard Mackinac Island Ferry Company vessels through Oct. 31, saying they’d identified multi-million dollar repairs and maintenance that had to be done. By that time, most of its fleet had already been pulled from the water.

The city council agreed, which was an unprecedented move that allowed Shepler’s ferries to be the only boats taking passengers between the island and the mainland docks. To handle the long lines of passengers, Shepler’s had to continue into fall their fast turnaround times typically used during the peak summer months.

Against this backdrop, Jerry Fetty, Mackinac Island Ferry Company’s ousted leader, filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming he was fired illegally and had been defamed by Hoffmann Marine employees after his departure.

A few days ago, word began to filter out that Chris Shepler would not be overseeing daily operations of Mackinac Island Ferry Company any longer, but nothing official was released until the local Mackinac area’s newspapers – also owned by an arm of Hoffmann – reported the Arnold Transit name change and the new leadership today.

In a news release, Hoffmann leadership called it a “challenging season” following the Mackinac Island Ferry Company’s purchase. This latest move was made, they said, with guidance from island stakeholders.

Rebranding the fleet to honor the Arnold Transit Company’s history was the first step. And the new leadership team is expected to add stability.

In addition to Dobrowolski and Musser, leadership support is also being given by Bob Brown, Judge Bill Carmody, and many staff members.

“Our first priority is providing the best possible winter service to our residents and contractors,” Dobrowolski said. “I appreciate all the well wishes already received and with a host of assistance will work diligently to provide exemplary service to our local constituents and visitors to Mackinac Island.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us but with the support of others I am confident we will get it done.”

Hoffmann Marine reiterated that it’s committed to running two separate ferry services for the island. The city’s charter gives it the unique role of approving ferry ticket prices, schedules and other fleet details.

Getting the Arnold Transit Company boats back in shape and figuring out the winter ferry service is the next step. Shepler’s typically shuts down its passenger service in late October. The boats now owned by Arnold handle the island’s winter ferry contract. This usually means the thick-hulled Huron ferry, which is heated and can plow through some ice build-up in the Straits.

Right now, the Huron’s winter availability is questionable because of the repairs needed, Hoffmann reps recently told the city council. Their backup plan had been to use other Shepler’s ferries, or make an arrangement with Dobrowolski to use one of her freight vessels to take passengers across.

Dobrowolski, who is also CEO of the island’s Arnold Freight Company, became part of the Hoffmann enterprise earlier this year. The firm bought the island’s Sip n’ Sail cruises, of which Dobrowolski was part owner. She continues to manage that two-boat cruise operation, as well as run her freight business.

In making these changes, Hoffmann execs also gave a hat-tip to the Shepler family members for stepping in to fill the gap.

“HF Companies extends its deepest gratitude to Chris and Billy Shepler and the entire Shepler’s Ferry Service team for their support, dedication, and commitment throughout the season, especially following the purchase of MIFC,” said Geoff Hoffmann, co-CEO of the Hoffmann Family of Companies.

The statement said Chris Shepler will continue to lead Shepler’s ferry operations. He’s also expected to “lend his expertise” to the Arnold Transit Company rebuilding.

A Famous Ferry Line Name

The Arnold Transit name has a long history on the island and some think this could be a phoenix moment as the embattled company works through its rebuild period.

Beginning in Mackinac’s early days as a tourist destination, Arnold Transit ferried passengers across the Straits for nearly 140 years. Its early start was as part of a lumber company founded by George T. Arnold and a couple business partners, according to information from the Mackinac State Historic Parks.

“In 1890, Arnold bought out his competitors and incorporated the company. Thus, the Arnold Transit Line was born. Its fleet was a common sight near Mackinac Island into November 2016, when its assets were sold to Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry.”