City Public Works and Engineering Director Katie Koester smiles for a photo downtown Wednesday evening. Koester was selected by the Assembly to serve as the next city manager following the retirement of Rorie Watt in September. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City Public Works and Engineering Director Katie Koester smiles for a photo downtown Wednesday evening. Koester was selected by the Assembly to serve as the next city manager following the retirement of Rorie Watt in September. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City selects familiar face to serve as next manager

Public Works and Engineering’s Katie Koester will take over the role from outgoing Rorie Watt.

City Public Works and Engineering Director Katie Koester is moving up to take the top spot at the City and Borough of Juneau after she was selected to be the next city manager following the retirement of Rorie Watt this fall.

Koester was unanimously appointed by the Assembly during a special meeting Wednesday evening and is set to step into the role this September. Koester’s salary will be $210,000.

Before her time with CBJ, Koester previously served as the Homer City Manager for five years before she was hired by CBJ for her current role in late 2019. Following her selection, the city will now begin its recruitment process to fill her current role.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“I am deeply humbled and honored to be able to serve my community in this matter,” Koester said after the meeting. “I’m very much looking forward to being able to lead such a competent team.”

During the “rigorous” nationwide soliciting process conducted in June for the next manager, the Manager Recruitment Committee reported more than 10 applicants expressed interest in the role. The process began following Watt’s announcement in April of his planned departure after serving in the role since 2016.

“We got candidates from all over the country,” said Assembly member Christine Woll about the months-long process. “It became quite clear we had an amazing candidate in Ms. Koester — and someone who has been a city manager in Alaska before.”

Watt agreed, and after the meeting said he’s confident both is Koester’s abilities and professionalism to take on the position.

“I look forward to watching Katie doing the job in her style, watching CBJ continuing to evolve under her leadership to meet the needs of the day.”

Koester said she is excited to take on the new role and “carry out the wishes of the Assembly.”

“I am deeply committed to this community — it is a wonderful place — and I look forward to hearing from the community and learning more about Juneau, and more about all the different community members that make it up,” she said.

• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. President Trump shared a quotation on social media, making it clear it was one he wanted people to absorb: “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.” (Al Drago/The New York Times)
Trump: ‘He who saves his Country does not violate any Law’

Quote sometimes attributed to Napoleon posted on White House’s official X account.

Members of the Alaska State Employees Association and AFSCME Local 52 holds a protest on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Alaska state employees rally for more pay and benefits on same day mass federal firings occur

Participants at state Capitol seek revival of pensions, release of state salary data withheld by governor.

Jonathan Rasch skates back to shore with his dog after spending hours looking for a man who fell through the ice on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, on Chilkoot Lake near Haines. Rasch was skating on the lake when he heard the man screaming for help and used his Garmin inReach to call for help. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)
After Haines man disappears, locals and state officials warn of the dangers of ice skating on lake

After Haines man disappears, locals and state officials warn of the dangers of ice skating on lake

A U.S. Forest Service office sign in Juneau on Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Trump’s federal layoffs hit wide range of Alaska agencies on Friday, with fears of many more to come

Murkowski: “Trying to get answers about the impact…but the response so far has been evasive and inadequate.”

A shelter staff member takes a dog who is currently boarding at Juneau Animal Rescue outside on Feb. 13, 2025. The animal shelter needs more space both outside and in, according to the executive director. It could also use a guillotine door to allow dogs easier access to the outdoors. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Animal Rescue hopes to be ‘feline’ the love at annual fundraiser

The shelter is still in need of a new building and hopes to continue educating the community.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

A building directory in Juneau’s federal building lists departments, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Forest Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Mass firings ordered by Trump administration, including nearly 10% of U.S. Forest Service

HUD plans 50% staff cut, scrutiny of “every dollar spent in serving tribal, rural and urban communities.”

Most Read