Ketchikan Council selects Glenn Adams as new city manager

The Ketchikan City Council voted 6–1 Sunday to select Glen Adams as the new city manager and general manager of Ketchikan Public Utilities, ending a recruitment process that drew more than 30 applicants.

Adams has 26 and a half years of military experience. He told the council he is drawn to complex problems, including utility infrastructure needs and balancing tourism impacts with residents' quality of life. He has managed facilities for billion-dollar projects and led crisis operations in Iraq and Japan.

The council interviewed four finalists Sunday: Adams, Unalaska interim city manager Abner Hogue, Texas city manager Michael Kovacs, and Alaska city manager William Homka. Hogue interviewed virtually. The other three candidates appeared in person. The interviews lasted nearly five hours before the council moved into executive session to deliberate.

Councilmember Jai Mahtani cast the sole dissenting vote. After the vote, Mahtani said he would support the will of the council and the incoming manager. The council did not publicly discuss the reasons for the selection.

Adams will oversee both city operations and Ketchikan Public Utilities. The council directed the recruitment consultant to negotiate terms and conditions acceptable to the council. A start date will be set by contract.

Strategic Government Resources conducted the search. The council selected finalists at a special meeting on April 9, 2026.

Adams previously served as interim city manager in Martinsville, Virginia. He also worked as chief of staff at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and as city manager in Santa Fe, Texas.

The council thanked all candidates for their interest. Mayor [name not in pools] said the city had a very strong pool of applicants.