Anchorage city manager departing to lead Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority

Anchorage City Manager Mike Abbott has been tapped as the next chief executive of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the agency announced Wednesday.

Abbott has worked as city manager since Mayor Ethan Berkowitz took office in 2015 and has been a key figure in public policy decisions. Abbott worked previously as city manager under Mayor Mark Begich and as the operations chief for the Anchorage School District.

The Mental Health Trust Authority is a state corporation with a bank of land that it manages for revenue to benefit residents with mental illness, developmental disabilities, chronic alcoholism, Alzheimer's disease and brain injuries. The longtime chief executive, Jeff Jessee, left last year in a split with the board of directors.

In the current fiscal year, Abbott will oversee nearly $18 million in grants to state agencies, nonprofits and service provides around the state. The trust also announced Wednesday it had hired Andy Stemp, a former finance administrator in the North Slope Borough, as its chief financial officer.

Abbott's departure comes about six months before the end of Berkowitz's first term. Berkowitz is running for a second term. He has not yet announced a replacement for Abbott.

"Mike Abbott has been worth his height in gold as Municipal Manager," Berkowitz said in a statement Wednesday, referring to Abbott's tall stature. "For all the many contributions he has made to the Municipality and the community, I'm sad to see him go. As his friend, I'm excited for him and this new opportunity."

[Longtime chief of state-run mental health trust quits over split with board]

Abbott's last day with the city is Oct. 31. He will start work at the trust on Nov. 1.