Katie Koester, Homer City Manager, was named the next Director of the Department of Public Works and Engineering for the City and Borough and Juneau on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Courtesy Photo | City and Borough of Juneau)

Katie Koester, Homer City Manager, was named the next Director of the Department of Public Works and Engineering for the City and Borough and Juneau on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Courtesy Photo | City and Borough of Juneau)

City names new director of public works

Homer City Manager Katie Koester will lead the department

The City and Borough of Juneau has named Homer City Manager Katie Koester as the next director of the Public Works and Engineering Department, according to a press release from the city.

Koester will take up the position “at a future date,” the release said, replacing previous director Mike Vigue who retired earlier in December.

Koester has served as Homer’s city manager since 2015, the release said, and is working on a master’s in public administration at the University of Alaska Southeast.

“Public Works & Engineering is the backbone of municipal government. The department’s work provides safe travel, clean water, responsible stewardship of the environment,” Koester said in a statement. “Juneau is a thriving and vibrant capital city and I am looking forward to working with the (city) team, Assembly, and community to implement their vision for the future.”

Koester has also served as the City of Homer’s Community & Economic Development Coordinator. She has a Master of Political Science from the Pontific Catholic University of Chile and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Smith College, the release said.


• Contact reporter Peter Segall at 523-2228 or psegall@juneauempire.com.


More in News

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of May 12

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2024 schedule.… Continue reading

Lupita Alvarez, a teacher at Montessori Borealis Children’s House, testifies at a Juneau Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Educators, the ‘backbone of our schools,’ are breaking

Teachers say district contract counteroffer with less pay sends the message they should leave.

Eaglecrest Ski Area Board President Mike Satre (left) confers with Juneau Assembly member Christine Woll during an Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Assembly’s budget deep dive: Debate spans from $3M to support Eaglecrest to $2,000 for veterans’ events

City leaders spend marathon evening seeking to resolve notable items during year when funds are short.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, May 13, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, May 12, 2025

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

A sign for a store that accepts food stamps and exchange benefits transfer cards is seen in this 2019 photo. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)
Alaska gives food stamp recipients’ personal information to federal officials

Data sharing part of nationwide request by Trump administration; appears to be targeting migrants.

Rep. Jeremy Bynum, R-Ketchikan, speaks to Rep. Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, during a vote on amendments to the state’s capital budget on Monday, May 12, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Amid budget struggle, Alaska has little money for new construction or renovation

State’s capital budget about to pass Legislature with no projects for individual legislators’ districts.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, at center, sits among senators during a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Most Alaskans nominated for state boards and commissions get Legislature’s approval this year

One nominee was rejected on a 0-60 vote, which may be a first for the Alaska Legislature.

A person uses a garden hose in an effort to save a neighboring home from catching fire during the Eaton Fire on Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Dozens of members of Congress from both parties plead with Trump to unfreeze FEMA grants

Sen. Murkowski part of group drafting letter urging FEMA to begin spending already OK’d by Congress.

Most Read