The Sitka Community Land Trust (SCLT) has named Amy Kramer Johnson as its new executive director. Johnson will take over the role from Randy Hughey on October 1, 2026.

Kramer Johnson has served as the SCLT’s Grants Manager since 2024. Her appointment as executive director follows a months-long search for a candidate with the skills needed to run Sitka’s nonprofit affordable housing program, which broke ground on its fourteenth single-family cottage in September, while also opening a six-unit apartment complex.

Board president Zaide Allen says the SCLT conducted a national search for new leadership for the organization, which has emerged as an exemplary model for affordable housing in Alaska. Kramer Johnson proved to be the top pick, however, since she’s played a crucial role in supporting the SCLT’s strength and mission in recent years. “Hiring an internal leader brings continuity at an important time of transition,” said Allen. “Amy already understands SCLT’s mission, history, programs, and partnerships. Rather than beginning by learning the organization and building relationships from the ground up, she can build upon the trust and connections that already exist while identifying opportunities for growth.”

Kramer Johnson has been a significant player in Sitka’s nonprofit and business communities for over two decades, beginning as Director of Convention Sales with the Sitka Convention and Visitor’s Bureau in 2001. Her longest tenure came next at KCAW Raven Radio, where she served as Development Director for thirteen years. In that role Kramer Johnson helped establish the station’s award-winning journalism fellowship. Later, she moved to the Sitka Music Festival as Associate Director for five years, and one year as the organization’s interim executive director during the COVID pandemic.

In addition, Kramer Johnson founded two small businesses: a marine charter company, and a tour and shuttle service.

 As one of the state’s top development professionals, Kramer Johnson has many possible career paths, but she says taking the top job at the Sitka Community Land Trust is a chance to combine her love of the community with her professional strengths.

“I think the timing feels right because my experiences in the nonprofit sector for over 25 years have prepared me for this next chapter,” said Kramer Johnson. “I’ve learned a great deal from the organizations and people I’ve had the opportunity to work with, and I’m excited to bring that experience to the job.”

Kramer Johnson will officially take the reins of the SCLT on October 1, at the opening of the two-day annual conference of the Northwest Community Land Trust Association to be held in Sitka. A major attraction of the event is a planned walking tour of the SCLT’s S’us’ Héeni Sháak cottage neighborhood on Halibut Point Road, which will have created homes for 20 Sitka families by completion next year.

While the project is a legacy of the collaboration shaped by outgoing executive director Randy Hughey and the many other pioneers of affordable housing in Sitka, Kramer Johnson sees the neighborhood as a starting point for creating more projects and solutions to housing affordability in the community.

“I intend to build on the momentum created by Randy Hughey,” she said, “to identify property acquisition opportunities, expand partnerships and funding sources, and increase our public awareness by sharing the stories of our community land trust.”

A reception to honor the retirement of Randy Hughey and to welcome Amy Kramer Johnson into the executive director role, will be held 4:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 3, in Stevenson Hall on the Sitka Fine Arts Campus. The public and Northwest Community Land Trust conference participants are welcome to attend.