On Feb. 5, 2026, Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell R. McMurry was recognized by Atlanta Magazine as one of Atlanta’s 500 most powerful leaders in the transportation category.
The annual ‘Atlanta 500’ highlights influential figures across diverse industries in the city, showcasing those making significant impacts in their respective fields. The recognition underscores McMurry’s role in shaping transportation policy and infrastructure for Georgia.
“It is a tremendous honor to be included in this distinguished list of leaders who are helping shape the future of Atlanta,” McMurry said. “This recognition is truly humbling and serves as a reflection of the more than 4,000 Georgia DOT employees whose valuable contributions help deliver a transportation network designed to support the state’s growing economy while prioritizing the safety and mobility of Georgia’s citizens.”
McMurry began his career at Georgia DOT in 1990 as an engineering intern and has held various leadership roles within the department. He was appointed commissioner by unanimous vote of the Georgia State Transportation Board in 2015. As commissioner, he manages a staff of over 4,000 civil servants with an annual budget of $5.57 billion for fiscal year 2025. In addition, he was elected president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in 2025.
Throughout his career, McMurry has received several accolades including being featured consistently in ‘Atlanta 500’, inclusion on James Magazine’s 2024 list of most influential Georgians, being named Georgia Trend’s Georgian of the Year in 2018, and receiving the ITS America Lifetime Achievement Award along with induction into the ITS World Congress Hall of Fame in 2025.
More information can be found at the official announcement.
