Ann R. Purcell, Georgia's 1st Congressional District representative, was elected secretary of the State Transportation Board (STB) of Georgia at its monthly board meeting on Thursday, August 18. Joining her are Kevin Abel as chairman and Robert Brown as vice chairman. The new positions are effective immediately. Board elections are held annually to ensure all regions of the state are represented at the executive leadership level. 

“The Georgia Department of Transportation manages the 10th largest transportation network in the nation,” Ann R. Purcell, secretary of the State Transportation Board of Georgia, said. “It is a tremendous honor to be elected secretary of the board and I will continue to work with transportation leaders across the state, both public and private, to help deliver effective transportation solutions that serve all of Georgia.”

Secretary Purcell, a former state legislator, resides in Savannah. She was elected to the board in 2013 and was recently re-elected to serve her third term earlier this year. Purcell has previously served as chair, vice chair and secretary. Purcell is a published genealogist and was named one of the 100 Influential Women to Know by Engineering Georgia magazine. 

The 14-member STB determines policy and governs the Georgia Department of Transportation. Each member is elected by a caucus of Georgia General Assembly members from their specific congressional district. Board members serve staggered, five-year terms.  For more information and individual photos, visit https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/Pages/Board.aspx.