The Ketchikan Gateway Borough is about to experience a little bit of a management shuffle, sparked by the retirement of the finance director.
Borough Manager Dan Bockhorst explains: “Mike Houts, who has served as the borough finance director for 10 years, announced his resignation, effective March 1 this year. Cynna Gubatayao, who is currently the assistant borough manager has been chosen to fill that position, which vacated the assistant borough manager position. I just recently concluded consideration of a number of applicants for that position, and chose Deanna Garrison, who is currently the deputy borough clerk.”
Garrison is the former news director for KRBD, and previously worked as a reporter for the Ketchikan Daily News. Bockhorst says she stood out as a candidate for several reasons.
“First of all, she’s got a lot of institutional knowledge with the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, having served as the deputy borough clerk, and is a lifelong resident of Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska,” he said. “I am familiar with her work ethic, and her standards and her performance and I find her an exceptional candidate. That’s why I chose her.”
Bockhorst says that Gubatayao will take the finance director position when Houts leaves on March 1st. Garrison will transition into her new job on Feb. 17.
There was another change in borough management earlier. Ed Schofield left his job as the head of the Public Works Department to take a position with the Southeast Alaska Power Agency.
Alex Peura is the borough’s new public works director.
