Sitka Tribe of Alaska, the federally recognized tribal government for Sitka, announced Monday that it is welcoming Bert Adams of Yakutat as its new general manager.
Adams is “an experienced project manager and tribal leader who has spent much of his career working in tribal governments and organizations,” STA said in a news release Monday.
He has served as executive director of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and the Native Village of Eyak, STA said, and "has a particularly keen sense of government-to-government relations and funding strategies, which he has used to great effect across many projects.”
Adams is to begin the job on Aug. 17, taking over from Rob Allen, who was hired as interim general manager when Lisa Gassman resigned in December 2025 after some 20 years in the role.
"I am excited to be part of the STA family," Adams told the Sentinel in an email Friday. "I have been in Tribal government for a long time and STA has always been, in my mind, a solid Tribe with longevity in the leadership roles."
Adams, whose Tlingit name is Deix wudu'oo, said he is Ye'il (Raven), of the L'uknax.ádi clan and Gunaxoo Kwaan from Yaakw'daat (Yakutat). He said he first learned the position was available during Gold Medal in Juneau this year.
"I decided to take a look at STA and felt it would be a good fit," he said.
Adams said his priorities include supporting tribal sovereignty and strengthening economic development.
"All Tribal programs are challenging and require continued protection and advocacy of sovereignty for each program at the federal agency level," he said. "Economic development for Tribes has always been a focus of mine, so Tribes can self-sustain certain programs and grow communities."
He said his experience in strategic planning will help him work with tribal leadership.
"I can lean on strategic planning for Tribe and community — building a STA team that participates and grows the strategic plan with Tribal Council," he said.
Adams said he also has longstanding ties to Sitka. His grandmother, Stella Adams, spent the last years of her life in Sitka, one of his sons was born at Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital, and he regularly visited the community while coaching high school basketball in Yakutat, where regional tournaments were frequently held in Sitka.
Last month Adams visited STA for interviews and was available to speak with tribal citizens and their families at a meet-and-greet event.
In the announcement of Adams' hiring, STA Tribal Council Chairwoman Yeidikook'áa Dionne Brady-Howard said the organization was excited to welcome Bert to STA.
“His experience, ideas, and strong history of working well with Federal and State agencies, Tribal Councils and citizens will bring a fresh perspective and innovative new ideas to our Tribe,” she said.
This is an expanded version of the brief story on Adams' hiring that appeared in the Friday, July 17 edition of the Daily Sitka Sentinel.
