Today, Mayor LaFrance and Chief of Staff Katie Scovic announced Scovic will depart from her role by the end of April.
Before starting as Chief of Staff, Scovic served as LaFrance's campaign manager in her bid for mayor, then led LaFrance's transition into office, an effort that brought together hundreds of Anchorage residents around the mayor's priorities.
“Katie and I have worked together closely since she came onto the campaign a year and a half ago," said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. “She is a tireless teammate and a true leader – smart, kind, and with a real vision for Anchorage. She has also become a good friend. She's earned a break, and I can't wait to see what she does next."
As Chief of Staff, Scovic built the Mayor's Office team, developed the administration's 100-day plan, and directed the mayor's communication and policy strategies.
Under Scovic's direction, the team at City Hall launched a strategy to build 10,000 homes in 10 years, identified millions of dollars to house people out of homelessness, and developed a partnership with the Anchorage Community Development Authority to take Anchorage Beyond the Beige by bringing color to public space. She helped connect the community to their local government by facilitating more than 200 meetings between the mayor and community groups. On her watch, the administration delivered a balanced, unanimously approved budget prioritizing public safety and investment in Anchorage, including a 24/7 Mobile Crisis Team and the redevelopment of Town Square Park.
“My job for the mayor was to build a strong foundation – for the next two years, and the next two decades, in Anchorage," Katie Scovic said. “I'm proud of the work and, most importantly, I believe in the mayor and the team. I'm confident handing off the baton for the next leg."
Graham Downey, Special Assistant to Mayor LaFrance, will assume the role of Acting Chief of Staff upon Scovic's departure.
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Media contact: Berett Wilber berett.wilber@anchorage.gov 1 (907) 343-9641