The State Transportation Board of Georgia elected its new executive leadership team at its monthly board meeting on Thursday, August 18. Kevin Abel was named chairman; Robert Brown was named vice chairman; and Ann R. Purcell was named secretary. 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.

Chairman Kevin Abel resides in Sandy Springs and represents Georgia's 6th Congressional District on the State Transportation Board. He was elected to the board in 2019, and previously served as vice chairman and secretary. Abel is a philanthropist and businessman. He is a Leadership Atlanta graduate, a former finalist for Atlanta Small Business Person of the Year and was on the Georgia Trend 40 Under 40 List.

Abel replaces Emily Dunn as chair. Dunn, who is a resident of Blue Ridge, represents Georgia's 9th Congressional District. She was elected to the board in 2011 and served as the first woman chair of the State Transportation board during a previous term as chair in 2015. She was named among the100 Influential Women to Know by Engineering Georgia magazine.  

Vice Chairman Robert Brown resides in Decatur and represents Georgia's 4th Congressional District on the State Transportation Board. He was first elected to the board in 2005, and previously served as chairman, vice chairman and secretary. Brown is a business, community and civic leader. He is a registered architect, president and CEO of an architectural and construction management firm and an active member in numerous community and civic organizations

Secretary Ann R. Purcell resides in Savannah and represents Georgia’s 1st Congressional District on the State Transportation Board. Purcell, a former state legislator, was elected to the board in 2013 and she 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 State Transportation Board 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.