During the State Transportation Board meeting held on November 20 in Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) acknowledged several employees, teams, and projects for their recent achievements. The recognitions were given by external organizations focused on transportation and highlighted the department’s ongoing efforts to improve safety, sustainability, innovation, and mobility across Georgia.
Among the honors received was the “Public Sector Promotor/Procurer of the Year” award from P3 Bulletin. This award recognized Georgia DOT’s Public Private Partnerships (P3) Division for its role in advancing major infrastructure initiatives such as the State Route 400 and I-285 Express Lanes projects. According to P3 Bulletin, Georgia DOT is a “clear leader in P3 delivery, exemplifying strategic vision, disciplined execution, and collaborative market engagement, which sets a benchmark for public sector leadership.”
At the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Atlanta Scholarship and Awards Luncheon on November 7, several individuals from Georgia DOT were recognized. Janine Miller, Director of Planning at Georgia DOT who also leads the Atlanta Transit Link Authority (ATL) and State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA), received the Woman of the Year Award for her contributions to advancing women and minorities in transportation. Meg Pirkle, Chief Engineer at Georgia DOT, was honored with the Uncovering our Legacy Award for her impact on WTS Atlanta and efforts to support women in transportation within the region. Eric Duff was named Man of the Year following his retirement as State Environmental Administrator; he was recognized for supporting women’s advancement in transportation.
Georgia DOT also earned the Innovative Transportation Solutions Award at this event for its “Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Roadmap.” The initiative seeks to connect roadway users, vehicles, and infrastructure with an aim to improve road safety and mobility. Victoria Coulter accepted this award on behalf of Georgia DOT.
On November 13 at the annual Georgia Partnership for Transportation Quality (GPTQ) Awards during the Georgia Transportation Summit in Athens—co-hosted by ACEC Georgia—numerous employees were recognized as part of larger teams working alongside other agencies or consultants. The event brought together nearly 1,700 professionals from across Georgia. Honorees included William Boyd, Obi Ezenekwe, Jill Franks, Xavier James, Rabindra Koirala, Shandra Marsh, Chadwick Moore, Amber Phillips, Beau Quarles, Shaun Regan, Ian Rish and Albert ‘Butch’ Welch.
“Georgia DOT congratulates all employees recognized for their excellence,” said Deputy Commissioner Andrew Heath during remarks at the board meeting. “These award winners are proof of Georgia DOT’s commitment to providing citizens with one of the nation’s best transportation systems, and what can be accomplished at a high level on important transportation projects.”
The department is responsible for planning and maintaining state and federal highways throughout Georgia as well as supporting local governments with road maintenance needs. Its nearly 4,000 employees focus on innovation while managing programs that include bridges; waterways; public transit; rail; aviation; biking; and pedestrian infrastructure.
