Skagway recently welcomed its new deputy manager. She’s a fresh local and business graduate who knows how to have her cake and eat it too.

 

Rebecca Kameika is Skagway’s brand new deputy manager. 

“Actually, I started yesterday, so the 16th was my first day,” she said.

She took over for Emily Deach who became borough manager earlier this month.

Kameika has a master’s degree in business administration with a focus in operations management and business analysis. She has worked for Carter’s OshKosh B’gosh, Home Depot and Delta. She moved to Haines in 2019 and then to Skagway last year. She was Skagway’s port administrative assistant before transitioning to deputy manager.

But when people think about Kameika, they might think about cake. She has a side business creating delectable and intricate creations. When word got around about her promotion, there was some concern in the community she might no longer have time for pastry.

“Funny enough, that was a slight concern of mine,” she said. “The team here is good with me continuing to do that … It’s very important to keep that creativity … That’s a big, important part of my life outside of work. So I will be, but I won’t be taking as many orders as I was previously.”

Kameika is very excited about her new position.

“I found that I really was enjoying city work, government work,” she said. “And every day I feel like there’s just something new or something that I’m working on, or a project that I’m working on. It’s almost like I feel like I’m in school again where there’s always something new. Even if you’ve got to do a RFP [request for proposal]. Well, every one is different, right?”

Kameika has enjoyed applying her skills in the borough setting instead of the corporate world.

“I’m excited to kind of share my knowledge or use what I know to then help and create new things,” she said. “And then learn from other people here.”

Kameika, who recently bought a house, said Skagway’s people are her favorite part about her new town.

“Coming from Haines, I have friends, but it took me a long time,” she said. “And I didn’t feel like I totally fit in. And here I feel like anyone could fit in.”

Still, Kameika has lived in Skagway long enough to understand some of its challenges. 

“Feeling like I can’t get out of town sometimes,” she said. “Feeling a bit like I’m on an island. But what’s helpful is how close you can be with the other people in your community.”