Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson today accepted the resignation of Sami Graham, who has served as the chief of staff for the mayor since August. Mayor Bronson also named Alexis Johnson as his new chief of staff.
“It was an honor to serve the citizens of Anchorage as the Mayor’s Chief of Staff,” said Graham in a statement. “As I retire, I believe in the new direction for Anchorage and will continue to try to help wherever there is a need.”
“Sami is the epitome of a dedicated, and hardworking public servant,” said Bronson. “I will miss her, and appreciate her service to my staff and the people of Anchorage.”
Originally, Bronson had named Graham the director of Libraries, but she was not confirmed by the leftist majority on the Anchorage Assembly because she lacks a masters degree in library science. Yet, she was highly sought after for the Bronson team, and so was brought in to fill the roll of chief of staff, a position the Anchorage Assembly cannot touch in its efforts to take over executive branch functions.
Alexis Johnson is a lifelong Alaskan who has served as a special assistant to the Mayor since he took office last July. She currently serves on the Anchorage Women’s Commission. She is a graduate of Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in marketing and gender studies.
She was a business owner of a food and beverage establishment and served as a volunteer on the Bronson for Mayor campaign.
“Alexis is one of our state’s brightest Alaskans,” said Bronson. “I am confident she will help my administration execute our goals to make Anchorage successful now and into the future.”
“I am honored that the mayor has tapped me to be his Chief of Staff,” said Johnson. “I want to thank Sami for her leadership and look forward to advancing the Mayor’s agenda for Anchorage.”
The changing of assignments was effective Jan. 28, 2022.
