Members of the Georgia State Transportation Board (STB) have been recognized by Engineering Georgia magazine in its annual “100 Most Influential Women in Georgia Engineering” list. This marks the eighth consecutive year that STB members have appeared on this list, which highlights women leaders who have made significant contributions to the engineering field in Georgia.
Ann R. Purcell, representing Congressional District 1 and currently serving as chair, was first elected to the board in 2013. Her district includes Appling, Bacon, Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, parts of Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Ware and Wayne Counties. Before joining the STB, Purcell served for 18 years in the Georgia House of Representatives.
Cathy Williams represents Congressional District 2 and joined the board in 2023. Her district covers Baker; parts of Bibb; Calhoun; Chattahoochee; Clay; Crawford; Decatur; Dooly; Dougherty; Early; Grady; parts of Houston; Lee; Macon; Marion; Miller; Mitchell; parts of Muscogee; Peach; Quitman; Randolph; Schley; Seminole; Stewart; Sumter; Talbot; Taylor; Terrell; Thomas and Webster Counties. Williams previously led NeighborWorks Columbus as president & CEO and has served on several local and national boards.
Stacey Key represents Congressional District 5 and joined the STB in 2013. The district includes parts of Clayton, DeKalb and Fulton Counties. Key is also president and CEO of the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) and serves on various boards such as Emory University Center for Ethics and College Football Hall of Fame.
Emily Dunn represents Congressional District 9 and was elected to the board in 2011. She became the first woman chair of the STB in 2015. Her district includes Banks, Fannin, Gilmer, parts of Gwinnett, Habersham, parts of Hall, Jackson, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White Counties. Dunn is a retired business owner who now serves on industry association boards.
Dana Lemon has represented Congressional District 13 since her election to the board in 2003—the first woman elected to serve on the STB—and is now its longest-serving member. The district covers Rockdale County as well as portions of Clayton, DeKalb, Gwinnett Henry and Newton Counties. Lemon leads W.D. Lemon and Sons Funeral Home and has received recognition from both chambers of Georgia’s legislature for her public service.
The magazine’s list also features five team members from Georgia Department of Transportation staff.
According to information provided by GDOT: “The Georgia Department of Transportation plans constructs and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways We’re involved in bridge waterway public transit rail general aviation bike and pedestrian programs And we help local governments maintain their roads Georgia DOT and its nearly 4 000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation safety sustainability and mobility The Department’s vision is to boost Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation.”
