The borough’s search for a new finance director has come to an end. Katie Hermanns moved into the office after the position was empty for five months.

Hermanns arrived in Wrangell from Anchorage after seven years with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office, which manages one million acres of land to fund mental health programs statewide. She started at the state agency as a project manager, later earning a promotion to senior asset manager.

She spent her days managing land leases and finding ways to grow revenue for mental health programs.

Her career has taken her all over Alaska, from the busy streets of Anchorage to Ketchikan. This journey helped her understand big-city rules and small-town needs.

She started work at Wrangell City Hall in November, relieving Borough Manager Mason Villarma from covering the finance job and his own.

When she isn’t at the borough office, Hermanns is still busy. She works as an online teacher for Liberty University, a private university in Virginia. She instructs students in project management.

“I’m a teacher at heart, so children are very important to me,” she said.

Her passion for the next generation is a big reason she took the job. She wants to help build a strong local economy. She hopes her work will create a future where kids can stay in Wrangell as adults.

Hermanns and her husband, Jeff, discovered their love for the town during a visit last year. They were in town for the Milk Run Music Festival. While walking downtown, they noticed something special about the community.

“We were in Wrangell and saw some kids going down Front Street on their own without needing an adult,” she said. “It just felt right.”

The couple decided that Wrangell was the perfect environment for them. They are looking forward to exploring the Stikine River together.

The move from Anchorage was a big change, but Hermanns prefers the slower pace. She believes the borough is on the verge of a major growth spurt. She is eager to find a balance between saving money and starting new community projects.

“I’m excited about the economic opportunities here in Wrangell,” she said.

She knows that tourism is vital for the region. However, she views it as just one part of a much bigger economic puzzle.

She is already enjoying her new coworkers. She works closely with Villarma and Economic Development Director Kate Thomas. She describes the group as an efficient and supportive team.

“They’ve got my back and they know I’ve got theirs,” Hermanns said. “I think people should be excited about the future.”