Summer 2026
35 UNDER 35 WOMEN TO KNOW
BUILDING A LEGACY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
20 COVER STORY:
7
Building a Legacy
THE PULSE News Coverage From In And Around The Engineering Community
7 QUESTIONS WITH EIGHT WOMEN FOUNDERS
14
POLITICAL PULSE
30 50 The 100 Most Influential Women in Georgia Engineering
35 Under 35 Women to Know in Georgia Engineering
A LOOK AT WOMEN IN AND OUT OF THE INDUSTRY WHO ARE MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE STATE OF GEORGIA’S BUILT ENVIRONMENT
THESE WOMEN ARE QUICKLY BECOMING INNOVATORS, INFLUENCERS, AND EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELDS
Stay Up-To-Date With Political News That Affects Engineers In Georgia
55
ASSOCIATION NEWS Updates From The Associations That Make Up The Georgia Engineering Alliance
66
A LOOK BACK A Back-Page Throwback Picturing Georgia’s Most Historic Landmarks
ON THE COVER The 100 Most Influential Women in Georgia Engineering
EDITORIAL BOARD
Publisher: Michael “Sully” Sullivan Editor-in-Chief: Brett Hillesheim Creative Director | Designer: Sabrina Tongren www.in8-design.com Contributing Editors: Alia Sims Christy Tarallo Contributing Writers: Brett Hillesheim Christy Tarallo Contributing Photographer: Jennifer Stalcup Accounting Services Manager: Melisa Beauchamp Advertising Sales Manager: ACEC Georgia 229 Peachtree Street NE Suite 1800 Atlanta, GA 30303 brett.hillesheim@acecga.org (404) 665-3539
CECILIA ARANGO Thomas & Hutton/SMPS Atlanta STACEY CHAPMAN CIT, Croft Architecture and Engineering STEPHANIE DAMMEN-MORRELL Hussey Gay Bell ANDREW FARMER PE, Gresham Smith / GEF LIGIA FLORIM PE, Cobb County DOT / WTS Atlanta CATHERINE JOHNSON AECOM / NSBE JEFF MILHEIZLER Uzun + Case / SEAOG CHRISTY JEON Ph.D, PE, Atkins / ITE Georgia JOHN PIERSON PE, Georgia Tech Research Institute / ASCE Georgia RANDAL RIEBEL PE, Delta Air Lines / GSPE CODY ROGERS, PE / ASCE Georgia CANDANCE SCALE / SAME KATHERINE SCHNELL Kimley-Horn THOMAS TRUE PE, LS, Maser Consulting SASHA UGI Keck & Wood BILL WELLS ITS Georgia KYLE WILCOX PE, Heath & Lineback/ASHE Georgia
Send change of address to: ACEC Georgia 229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1800 Atlanta, GA 30303 or email editor@engineeringGA.com
Facebook.com/EngineeringGA @Engineering_GA www.EngineeringGA.com Engineering Georgia 2026 is published quarterly by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia) and its partner associations ASCE, ASHE, GEF, GSPE, ITE, ITS, SAME, SEAOG, SMPS and WTS. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. In8 Design, ACEC Georgia, and its partner associations ASCE, ASHE, GEF, GSPE, ITE, ITS, SAME, SEAOG, SMPS and WTS, as well as their representatives, employees and agents, are held harmless from any claim, demand, liability or action on account of, or in any way arising out of, the client’s advertising, products and services, or its participation in Engineering Georgia.
Atlanta Post
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Each year, this issue of Engineering Georgia stands out as one of the most inspiring (and most difficult) to produce. Inspiring because it gives us the opportunity to recognize the extraordinary women whose leadership, talent and hard work are helping shape Georgia’s built environment. Difficult because, once again, the quality and quantity of nominees made narrowing the list down to just 100 (plus our annual 35 Under 35 list) no easy task. This year’s honorees represent engineering firms, public agencies, utilities, educational institutions and organizations from across the state. They are leading major projects, building successful teams, shaping policy, mentoring young professionals and finding new ways to solve some of Georgia’s most complex challenges. Some are familiar names who have spent decades serving our industry, while others are appearing on the list for the first time. And all of them have earned their place through the impact they are making on their organizations, their communities and our state. We are also excited to introduce this year’s 35 Under 35: Women to Know in Georgia Engineering. These rising professionals are already distinguishing themselves and represent a generation that is not simply preparing to lead someday – they are making a difference right now. Their accomplishments give me great confidence in the future of Georgia’s engineering industry. Also featured in this issue is “Building a Legacy: 7 Questions with Eight Women Founders.” Starting a firm requires courage, confidence and, above all, a willingness to bet on yourself when there are no guarantees. These eight women took that leap and built companies that reflect their own values, leadership styles and visions for what an engineering firm can be. Their candid answers about risk, company culture, entrepreneurship and the lessons they have learned along the way are a reminder that a founder’s legacy is measured by much more than revenue, projects or awards. It can also be found in the people they develop, the opportunities they create and the doors they open for those who follow.
The women featured throughout this issue represent the past, present and future of Georgia engineering. They include established leaders who have helped transform the industry, founders who created their own paths and young professionals who are just beginning to show us what they can accomplish. We are fortunate to have every one of them contributing their talent and leadership to our state. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination. As always, we welcome your feedback. Drop me a line at sully@acecga.org and let us know what you’d like to see in Engineering Georgia. After all, this is YOUR magazine, and we always want to hear from you about how we can make it better for you.
GET SOCIAL Michael L. "Sully" Sullivan President / CEO, ACEC Georgia Publisher, Engineering Georgia
SULLY@ACECGA.ORG 770-356-3769 @MICHAELLSULLY MICHAELLSULLY MICHAELLSULLIVAN
NEWS BRIEFS
Supported by federal, state, and local funding, the replacement airport will include a new runway, parallel taxiway, terminal, and parking facilities to address long-term aviation capacity needs and improve access along the I-75 corridor between Atlanta and Macon. Once complete, the airport is expected to serve approximately 158,000 residents across the region while supporting future business growth and economic development. Georgia-based engineering firm Croy has served as the project's prime consultant since 2018, working with the Griffin-Spalding Airport Authority throughout the planning and development process.
BRAMPTON ROAD CONNECTOR OPENS, COMPLETING SAVANNAH FREIGHT CORRIDOR
NEW ASCENSION FBO TERMINAL OPENS AT COBB COUNTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
A new chapter began at Cobb County International Airport – McCollum Field with the official opening of the Ascension FBO terminal, celebrated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community leaders, airport officials, and project partners. The modern terminal is designed to enhance the arrival experience for business aviation travelers while supporting the airport's continued growth as an economic engine for Cobb County and metro Atlanta. Delivered through a design-build partnership between CROFT & Associates and Rainwater Construction, the facility was constructed adjacent to active airport operations, requiring careful coordination to maintain uninterrupted airport activity throughout the project. The new terminal complements the airport's existing aviation infrastructure and serves as a welcoming gateway for pilots, passengers, business travelers, and international visitors.
The Georgia Department of Transportation opened the $126 million Brampton Road Connector on July 16, completing a major freight corridor that provides a direct four-lane connection between the Port of Savannah's Garden City Terminal and the I-16 corridor. The project removed at-grade rail crossings and diverted truck traffic from neighborhood streets, improving safety while streamlining freight movement between one of the nation's fastest-growing ports and inland markets. The Brampton Road Connector marked the completion of a series of GDOT projects creating a cargo beltway around Savannah, enhancing mobility for both freight and the traveling public.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN NAMES ABHIJIT BHATTACHARYYA DEAN OF COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTING
Georgia Southern University has named Abhijit Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., dean of the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing. He assumed the role on July 1 after serving as the inaugural dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Arkansas State University, where he led strategic growth initiatives focused on student success, workforce development, research expansion, and industry partnerships. Prior to Arkansas State, Bhattacharyya held several leadership positions at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, including interim vice provost for Research, dean of the graduate school, and associate dean of Engineering and Information Technology. He earned his doctorate in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Rutgers University and is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers as well as an ABET program evaluator.
GROUND BROKEN ON GEORGIA’S FIRST NEW AIRPORT SINCE 2008
State, federal, and local leaders gathered in Griffin to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Replacement Griffin-Spalding County Airport, the first new airport to be constructed in Georgia since 2008. The milestone follows years of planning, environmental review, and coordination and marks a significant investment in regional transportation and economic development. More than 50 attendees participated in the ceremony, including U.S. Department of Transportation Under Secretary Ryan McCormack, Congressman Brian Jack, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry, and local officials from Griffin and Spalding County.
MERCER NAMES VICKI BRITT DEAN OF SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Mercer University has named Vicki Britt, Ph.D., dean of its School of Engineering, effective June 1. Britt joined the university following her retirement as senior vice president of innovation, engineering and flight at Gulfstream Aerospace, where she led research and development, new aircraft programs, engineering, testing, and worldwide flight operations. A member of Mercer's National Engineering Advisory Board since 2017, she brings decades of aerospace leadership experience to the role.
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2026 | Summer 7
Britt succeeds Laura Lackey, Ph.D., who served as dean since 2018 and will continue teaching in the School of Engineering. During Lackey's tenure, the school expanded its academic offerings with new civil engineering and cybersecurity programs, increased global engineering initiatives through Mercer On Mission projects, and became the nation's leading producer of engineering Goldwater Scholars. Britt previously held engineering leadership positions at Gulfstream and began her career at NASA's Langley Research Center. She holds degrees in aerospace and mechanical engineering from Old Dominion University and North Carolina State University.
ARC FORUM EXAMINES ECONOMIC MOBILITY ACROSS METRO ATLANTA
Business, civic, and community leaders gathered at the Atlanta Regional Commission's Regional Economic Development Forum on June 24 to discuss the state of metro Atlanta's economy and identify strategies for improving economic mobility. The discussion, which will help shape the region's next Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), focused on the theme "Pathways to Opportunity" and included a SWOT analysis examining the region's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Participants highlighted metro Atlanta's higher education institutions, entrepreneurial ecosystem, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and diverse economy as key strengths, while identifying housing affordability, income inequality, workforce development, healthcare access, and infrastructure demands as ongoing challenges. The forum also explored opportunities to expand transit, trails, and growth in industries such as aerospace and renewable energy, while noting that persistent poverty, rising costs, and increasing competition from other Sunbelt metro areas remain significant long-term concerns.
COLUMBUS ADVANCES MASTER PLAN FOR SOUTH COMMONS DEVELOPMENT
The Columbus City Council approved an additional $250,000 to develop a master plan for the South Commons district surrounding Synovus Park, home of the Columbus Clingstones. The plan, led by Choose Columbus, will evaluate opportunities for a mixed-use development featuring restaurants, retail, housing, offices, hotels, and entertainment similar to Atlanta's Battery district. A market study will help determine the area's development potential, with the completed master plan expected within six months following a public engagement process.
VELA PARK FOOD HALL OPENS IN EAST LAKE DEVELOPMENT
Vela Park Food Works has opened as the centerpiece of the $200 million Vela Park mixed-use development near East Lake Golf Club in unincorporated Decatur. The 5,000-square-foot food hall features six chef-driven dining concepts, craft cocktails, a large outdoor patio, and access to a 40,000-square-foot public greenspace. The opening completes a major phase of the 12-acre development, which also includes 328 residential units and new pedestrian connections designed to create a walkable neighborhood destination.
2026 | Summer 9
ON THE MOVE CHA CONSULTING
has named Jennifer Anders, PE, as Executive Vice President and Chief Sales & Strategy Officer. Anders brings more than 20 years of experience leading business development, strategic growth and customer-focused initiaJennifer Anders tives across the infrastructure industry, most recently serving as Chief Growth Officer at Inframark. In her new role, she will lead CHA's enterprise-wide growth strategy, overseeing business development efforts and supporting expansion across the firm's Infrastructure, Power & Manufacturing, and Commercial & Institutional markets. Anders earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Missouri and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Kansas.
EFK MOEN
has completed the acquisition of Linear Infrastructure Group, adding four experienced Georgia transportation engineers to its growing Atlanta office. Chris Edmondson, PE has joined as a Senior Project Manager Chris Edmondson following the firm's acquisition of Linear Infrastructure Group. Edmondson brings more than 33 years of transportation design and construction experience, including service with the Georgia Department of Transportation and decades in the private sector. His expertise includes roadway, interchange, bridge replacement and transportation improvement projects throughout Georgia. Ida Cham, PE has joined as a Senior Project Manager through the firm's acquisition of Linear Infrastructure Group. With more than 20 years of experience in roadway design and project management, Cham has led intersection improvements, interchange Ida Cham design, bridge replacements, roadway widening and utility coordination projects across Georgia. She is a licensed Professional Engineer and holds Georgia Level II erosion and sedimentation control certification. Kevin Kahle, PE, SE has joined as a Senior Project Manager following the acquisition of Linear Infrastructure Group. Kahle brings 25 years of experience in bridge, structural and transportation engineering, with expertise spanning rural bridge replacements, major Kevin Kahle river crossings and complex urban infrastructure projects. He is licensed in Georgia as both a Professional Engineer and Structural Engineer.
Nguyenvu Vo, PE has joined as a Senior Project Manager through the firm's acquisition of Linear Infrastructure Group. Vo brings more than 20 years of bridge and structural engineering experience, including more than a decade with the Georgia Department of Transportation Nguyenvu Vo as a Lead Bridge Engineer before leading engineering teams in the private sector. A graduate of Georgia Tech, he specializes in bridge design, structural engineering and transportation infrastructure projects across Georgia.
GEORGIA PORTS AUTHORITY
has been appointed Kevin Price as President, effective July 1, 2026, as part of a planned leadership transition that will see him assume the role of President and CEO Kevin Price in mid-2027. Reporting to current President and CEO Griff Lynch, Price will help lead the authority through the transition while supporting continued growth across Georgia's ports and inland terminals. Price brings more than 30 years of maritime and terminal operations experience to the role. He most recently served as President of Gateway Terminals in Savannah and previously was Chief Operating Officer of Virginia International Terminals. Throughout his career, he has held numerous leadership positions focused on port operations, strategic growth and supply chain efficiency.
KECK & WOOD
announced the addition Mark Shumpert, PE as Site Development Group Leader for the firm's Community Development team. Shumpert brings more than 25 years of experience in civil engineering, specializing in private and Mark Shumpert public site development, infrastructure, residential development and commercial projects. In his new role, he will help expand the firm's land development services across the Southeast while providing technical oversight and mentoring staff.
Jeff McClellan
Will Thompson
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engineering the pulse [ on gathe [ feature move ]]
Jeff McClellan has also joined Keck & Wood as a Staff Professional II with the firm's Community Development team in Georgia. A graduate of Auburn University, McClellan brings more than four years of experience in civil and site engineering, including mechanically stabilized earth wall design. He will support infrastructure improvement projects throughout metro Atlanta. Will Thompson has also joined the firm as a Staff Professional I with the firm's Water/Wastewater Engineering group. A recent Clemson University engineering graduate, Thompson will support water and wastewater utility projects serving communities and development clients across the Carolinas.
James Crowther
Alana Allison
Keck & Wood also welcomed James Crowther as the firm’s Water/Wastewater Engineering group. A recent graduate of The Citadel, Crowther brings site design experience and will support projects involving water distribution and wastewater treatment systems for growing communities. Alana Allison has also joined the firm as a Project Accountant in the firm's Georgia office. A graduate of Kennesaw State University, Allison brings five years of accounting experience and will support project delivery and financial operations across the firm's markets.
Haley Unthank
Kayla Harris
NEEL-SCHAFFER
announced Allen Shariett, PE, as a Water Resources Senior Project Manager in the firm's Atlanta office. Shariett brings extensive experience supporting transportation, municipal and federal projects across the Allen Shariett Southeast, including work for the Georgia Department of Transportation, FEMA, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the City of Atlanta and Gwinnett County. His expertise includes bridge hydraulics, floodplain and flood risk analysis, stormwater management, drainage design and FEMA mapping. Shariett earned a Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Engineering from Auburn University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Carlin Billings
Haley Unthank, EIT has joined as a Senior Project Engineer. Unthank brings more than four years of roadway design experience, including work on intersection improvements and pedestrian and bicycle facilities. She will support the production, delivery and implementation of GDOT and local roadway design projects. Kayla Harris has joined the firm as Operations Coordinator. Harris brings 10 years of operations experience, including three years in the AEC industry. In her new role, she will support operational workflows, internal coordination and business processes to help the firm efficiently deliver projects and serve its clients. Carlin Billings, PE has been promoted to Technical Manager. With eight years of engineering experience, Billings has supported a variety of transportation projects for GDOT and local clients. In her new role, she will provide technical leadership, oversee transportation project design from concept through construction, and guide the firm's technical standards and best practices.
Eric Sloan, PE, has also joined Neel-Schaffer as a Project Manager, bringing more than 10 years of transportation experience to the firm's growing Alternative Delivery team. Based in the firm's Chattanooga, Tennessee, office, Sloan previously spent Eric Sloan a decade with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, most recently serving as Team Lead – Construction, where he supervised a seven-person team and managed resurfacing, maintenance, bridge, and large-scale infrastructure projects. In his new role, he will support the delivery and management of transportation projects across the region, including the Interstate 24/Epps Mill Road interchange replacement and the James Robertson Parkway reconstruction in Nashville, while contributing to Alternative Delivery projects throughout Neel-Schaffer's nine-state footprint. Sloan earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Tennessee Technological University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Tennessee.
PRACTICAL DESIGN PARTNERS (PDP)
is excited to announce the addition of three new team members and one promotion: John Dreschel, PE has joined the firm as a Senior Project Engineer. Dreschel brings John Dreschel more than seven years of engineering experience, primarily focused on roadway design for GDOT and local transportation projects. In his new role, he will lead the design and delivery of roadway projects while ensuring compliance with state and local design standards. He earned a degree in physics from the University of West Georgia. 2026 | Summer 11
TOP 5 FIVE Resources on Strategic Thinking
Successful engineering firms don't just respond to today's challenges—they anticipate tomorrow's opportunities. Strategic thinking helps leaders balance long-term vision with day-to-day execution, whether they're navigating market shifts, pursuing new services, developing future leaders, or positioning their firms for sustained growth. These five trusted resources offer practical insights to help engineering leaders think beyond the next project. GOOD STRATEGY/BAD STRATEGY by Richard Rumelt
Strategy expert Richard Rumelt cuts through the buzzwords to explain what separates effective strategy from vague ambition. Using real-world examples from business, government, and the military, he demonstrates how successful organizations identify their biggest challenges and focus resources where they matter most. Why it works: A practical guide to developing clear, actionable strategies instead of relying on broad goals or mission statements.
PLAYING TO WIN: HOW STRATEGY REALLY WORKS
by A.G. Lafley and Roger L. Martin
Written by former Procter & Gamble CEO A.G. Lafley and strategist Roger Martin, this bestselling book presents a straightforward framework for making strategic choices—from deciding where to compete to determining how to win in the marketplace. Why it works: Offers a proven decisionmaking framework that translates well to engineering firms evaluating markets, services, and growth opportunities.
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THE ART OF THE LONG VIEW by Peter Schwartz
Originally written for business leaders navigating uncertainty, Schwartz introduces scenario planning as a way to prepare organizations for multiple possible futures rather than relying on a single forecast. Why it works: Helps leaders think beyond immediate challenges and prepare their organizations for changing economic, technological, and regulatory environments.
MEASURE WHAT MATTERS by John Doerr
Doerr explains the Objectives and Key Results (OKR) framework used by organizations such as Google to align teams around measurable priorities. The book demonstrates how strategic goals become meaningful only when paired with clear metrics and accountability. Why it works: Shows how firms can connect long-term strategy with everyday execution and measurable results.
HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW'S 10 MUST READS ON STRATEGY (Harvard Business Review Press)
This collection brings together influential articles from leading strategy thinkers, including Michael Porter, W. Chan Kim, Renée Mauborgne, and Roger Martin. Topics include competitive advantage, innovation, growth, and strategic execution. Why it works: Provides research-backed perspectives from some of the world's leading strategy experts, making it an excellent reference for leaders looking to strengthen their strategic decision-making.
POLITICAL PULSE Georgia’s 2026 Legislative Session: Wins, Losses and Unfinished Business
CHRISTY TARALLO
A
Arguably, one of the most advantageous features of our state legislature is its limited duration. Under the Georgia Constitution, the General Assembly must convene on the second Monday of January, may not meet for more than 40 legislative days, and is only required to accomplish one goal: passing a balanced state budget. By those limited Constitutional standards, the 2026 legislative session was a success. But very few legislators, lobbyists, journalists or interested citizens following the 40 days that ended with adjournment Sine Die on April 2, 2026 would use “success” to describe it. Of course, there was one major bright spot: Governor Kemp’s historic transportation funding in the FY 2026 budget, building on his previous initiatives to provide much needed investments in Georgia’s transportation infrastructure. Investments include: $1.6 billion for the extension and bi-directional expansion of the I-75 express lanes in Henry County, $185 million for interchange conversions making State Route 316 (University Parkway) a limited access highway, $100 million for rehabilitation and replacement of rural bridges, and $250 million for local maintenance and improvement grants (LMIG). While Georgia is blessed to be (mostly) free of the hyper-partisanship that creates the gridlock that defines the United States Congress, that doesn’t mean our General Assembly is free of conflict. There’s an old saying under the Gold Dome that the other political party is the opposition, but the other chamber is the enemy. That was certainly true
[ political pulse ]
this year, as the Senate and House battled over competing priorities and highly polarizing views on how to address the affordability crisis that ultimately resulted in many legislative initiatives failing to pass.
$36,000, respectively, and raising the dependent deduction from $4,000 to $5,000, with the ultimate goal of raising the deduction to $6,000 over time (also subject to those same revenue metrics).
Add to that mix the numerous legislators running for higher office trying to distinguish themselves from their competitors and the entire House and Senate being up for election in 2026 and you have an environment where the compromise needed to reach agreement was in short supply.
While the House and Senate’s competing goals of eliminating property or income taxes failed to be realized, the General Assembly did pass measured approaches to tax reduction and affordability that the Governor appears poised to sign into law.
HOUSE BILL 463 PROPOSES TO REDUCE THE PREVIOUS FLAT TAX GOAL FROM
The House began this session with an emphatic promise to expand the homestead exemption to eliminate all property taxes on primary residences. This promise took many shapes, including a constitutional amendment which failed to receive the required two-thirds vote in the House, an attempt to place a 3% cap on local government operational cost increases year over year, and the creation of new taxes for local governments to use to recoup the lost revenue from eliminating the property tax on homesteads. In the end, near the 11th hour of the last day of the session, the House’s proposal failed in the Senate, and all that they were able to pass was a watered-down version of the reform, Senate Bill 33, that created a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST), and made the existing FLOST (Floating Local Option Sales Tax) mandatory statewide, thus ending the opt out provision that some local governments and school boards had previously taken advantage of. These new taxes are aimed at creating revenue streams for local governments to recapture lost revenue from future millage rate decreases. Additionally, SB 33 removed the 3% cap on revenue increases seen in previous versions of the original property tax bill (House Bill 1116) and preserved local sales taxes that were already in place, such as LOST, Local Option Sales Tax, and HOST, Homestead Option Sales Tax.
4.99% TO 3.99%
WITH AN INCREMENTAL REDUCTION OF 0.125% ANNUALLY UNTIL A 3.99% INCOME TAX RATE IS REACHED.
The Senate’s competing priority on affordability was eliminating the state’s income tax; an effort which also failed to pass during the 2026 legislative session. While a comprehensive elimination of the income tax did not ultimately come to fruition, the General Assembly did pass House Bill 463 which makes significant strides toward income tax reduction. Building on prior efforts by the Kemp administration and legislative leaders, HB 463 reflects a measured approach to the continual reduction of the state’s income tax rate. House Bill 463 proposes to reduce the previous flat tax goal from 4.99% to 3.99% with an incremental reduction of 0.125% annually until a 3.99% income tax rate is reached (though those reductions are conditional based on meeting revenue triggers outlined in the bill). HB 463 also provides additional relief for taxpayers by raising the standard deduction to $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married couples filing jointly, with scheduled annual increases to $18,000 and
There were a number of other key initiatives that failed to pass in 2026. Most critically, Senate Bill 214, which was intended to keep the state’s current election system legal. While that may sound a little hyperbolic, a law passed in 2024 banned QR codes from being used to count ballots beginning on July 1, 2026. That is currently impossible, because the state’s voting machines aren’t capable of counting votes any other way and the General Assembly never appropriated any money to update the voting machines or purchase a new system. Senate Bill 214 championed by Rep. Victor Anderson, Chairman of the House Governmental Affairs Committee, sought to postpone the deadline for banning the use of QR codes to 2028 and would have directed the Secretary of State’s office to begin procuring a new elections system by February 2027. The House passed SB 214 on Sine Die by a vote of 132-39, but the Senate failed to bring it up before the Sine Die adjournment on the morning of April 3rd.
Without a fix to the elections, the state’s current form of electronic ballot counting will be illegal on July 1, 2026, forcing the Governor to call the General Assembly back for a special session to force pass a fix, or if that doesn’t happen, forcing local elections officials to hand count paper ballots for the November mid-term election. Also, among the deluge of legislation that failed to pass was Senate Bill 51 by Sen. Ed Setzler, which proposed extending the existing state law (in place since 1981) requiring state agencies to procure professional design services for public infrastructure using qualifications-based selection (QBS) to apply to cities and counties. Though this years-long effort to bring Georgia’s cities and counties up to date with this almost universally recognized best practice for procuring professional design services failed to make it across the goal line this year, it will be back. And so will the Georgia General Assembly on the second Monday of January 2027. But with so many legislators running for higher office, long-time lawmakers retiring, and many incumbents facing serious challenges, there will be many new faces and new legislative leaders, along with a new Governor, Lt. Governor, and other statewide constitutional officers. In politics, as in life, the only constant is change, and your ACEC Georgia advocacy team will be doing everything we can to navigate those changes to position our industry for success in the years ahead. A
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OUT & ABOUT Angela Snyder and Brad Robinson (Practical Design Partners) pose for a quick picture in front of the ACEC Georgia exhibitor booth.
Umit Seyhan and Emily Ritzler (WSP USA) network during the open reception of the 2026 Georgia Engineers Summer Conference.
Jeff Church, Rhandi Gallegos, and Ken Hammon (STV) enjoy the haunted hall of exhibitors during the opening reception of Summer Conference.
Sasha Ugi (Keck & Wood) and Holly Painter (KCI) play golf at the Grove Park Inn as part of ACEC Georgia’s unofficial Summer Conference golf tournament.
Will Scarbrough (VHB), Regina Young (Jordan & Skala Engineers), and Adam Bieber (Logic Speak) present on AI during the opening General Session of the Conference.
A new ACEC Georgia employee greeted conference attendees at the Haunted Hall of Exhibitors.
Michael “Sully” Sullivan and Rachael Bliese (ACEC Georgia) attending the Logic Speak Dessert Reception.
Christy Tarallo (ACEC Georgia), Sean Coleman (Kimley-Horn), and Darren Wilton (Kimley-Horn) enjoying the haunted hall of exhibitors.
Judy Adler (GEFA), Marty Smith (GSFIC), Gwo-Wei Torng (ARC), and Meg Pirkle (GDOT) discuss Georgia Agency Priorities for FY 2027 during a panel moderated by Michael “Sully” Sullivan (ACEC Georgia).
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GEORGIA NUMBERS by the
1.2
BILLION GALLONS PER DAY
140°F+
15,000+
pavement temperatures can exceed 140 degrees on sunny summer afternoons, requiring engineers to design roadways and materials that withstand extreme heat while maintaining safety and performance.
Public water systems across Georgia produce more than a billion gallons of drinking water daily, with demand climbing significantly during the summer as irrigation, recreation, and outdoor water use increase.
MEGAWATTS
Georgia's peak summer electricity demand can exceed 15,000 MW on the hottest afternoons, requiring careful planning and a resilient power grid to keep homes, businesses, and critical facilities running.
10 MILLION+ CUSTOMERS Georgia's electric
utilities collectively provide reliable power to millions of residential, commercial, and industrial customers across the state, with engineers continuously monitoring and improving the grid.
ASPHALT
24/7 UTILITY
control centers, transportation management centers, and water treatment facilities operate around the clock, relying on professionals to monitor systems, respond to outages, and keep critical infrastructure operating through Georgia's hottest days. 2026 | Summer 19
BUILDING A LEGACY 7 Questions with Eight Women Founders
BRIDGETTE BEATO
LUMENOR CONSULTING GROUP BRETT HILLESHEIM
S
Starting a firm is an act of belief. Belief in an idea, in a different way of doing business, and, perhaps most importantly, in oneself. It requires a willingness to leave behind the familiar and accept the uncertainty that comes with building something new. For women in engineering, that leap has often meant navigating an industry in which few founders and firm leaders looked like them. The eight women featured here took different paths to entrepreneurship. Some recognized an unmet need in the marketplace. Others wanted greater control over their careers, the freedom to create a healthier workplace culture or the opportunity to build a company grounded in their values. Each accepted risks that extended well beyond her own career—from personal financial investments to the responsibility of supporting employees and their families. Their answers reveal that a founder’s legacy is rarely defined by a single project, contract or award. It is found in the people given an opportunity to grow, the cultures built intentionally, the clients and communities served, and the doors opened for those who follow. In these seven questions, eight women founders share what inspired them to begin, what challenged them along the way, and what continues to drive them toward the future.
20 Engineering Georgia
Why did you decide to start your own firm? I didn’t start Lumenor because I set out to own a business. Nearly 20 years ago, a significant life event made it clear that a traditional job could not give me the flexibility I needed. At the same time, I was seeing firsthand how limited opportunities for women in executive leadership still were. I wanted to build a company where leadership is earned through talent, integrity, and results—not defined by traditional expectations. My vision was an environment where everyone has the chance to grow, lead, and excel, regardless of background or title. I also believed there was a better way to serve clients and build teams. I had watched talented people be constrained by bureaucracy and organizations focused on delivering projects instead of outcomes. Entrepreneurship gave me the chance to create the kind of organization I wished existed—one where integrity comes first, relationships matter, and success is measured by the real value we create for clients.
What was your biggest risk? Without question, the biggest risk was leaving the security of an established career to build something from the ground up during a national economic recession. Starting a consulting firm offers no guarantees. Every client, contract, payroll, and strategic decision rests on your shoulders. The financial risk was real, but the greater risk was betting on myself. There are moments when you question whether you’re making the right decision. I’ve learned that meaningful growth rarely happens inside my comfort zone.
What aspect of your company culture are you most proud of? I’m most proud that we’ve built a culture of trust, accountability, and genuine service. Our team stands together, supporting one another, our clients, and our communities. We genuinely care about our people and show up for each other through life’s events. At the same time, we hold ourselves to a high standard. We encourage innovation, collaboration,
and continuous learning without losing sight of our commitment to clients. Our team understands that success isn’t about individual recognition; it’s about helping each other succeed and delivering exceptional results together. That shared purpose is something I work hard to protect every day.
What achievement makes you the proudest as a founder? I am most proud that I am bringing others along with me. In an environment of rapid change and uncertainty, contracts and teaming agreements with small businesses are no longer honored the way they once were. I work hard to bring other small businesses onto my contracts and mentor others so they can benefit from the lessons I have learned and avoid common pitfalls. The achievement I’m most proud of isn’t a single contract or award. It’s earning the lasting trust of our clients and watching our people grow into leaders. Seeing employees take on responsibilities they never imagined they could handle and clients return because they know we deliver means more to me than any individual milestone. Knowing we’ve built a company people believe in is incredibly rewarding.
BRIDGETTE BEATO
LUMENOR CONSULTING GROUP
What's the best leadership lesson you've learned? Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating an environment where people can do their best work and giving them the tools and support to achieve their fullest potential. I’ve learned that leadership requires listening as much as directing, making difficult decisions when necessary, and always acting with integrity—even when it’s the harder path. Having the tough conversations early makes everything easier for everyone involved. People don’t just remember what you accomplished or what you said. They remember how you saw them and whether you helped them become more successful.
What advice would you give a woman considering entrepreneurship? Find a mentor. Believe in your ability before you have all the answers. Decide intentionally whether you want to own a business or build one. Ownership carries an entirely different set of responsibilities, including all the “boring” parts. Building a business is the exciting part for me. Think carefully about what you’re looking for, make the decision deliberately, and know you can change your mind along the way—I did. Also consider the type of business you want. Do you want a lifestyle business that provides flexibility and meets your needs, or do you want to build something larger? I started with a lifestyle business and later chose to grow it into something more. Too many women wait until they feel perfectly prepared. No entrepreneur ever feels completely ready. That’s okay. You will never have all the answers, but if you build a strong group of mentors, you will have the support you need. Build your network. Find mentors who will challenge and encourage you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and don’t let fear of failure keep you from pursuing something meaningful. Most importantly, stay true to your values. Your reputation will become one of your greatest business assets.
What excites you most about the next decade? We’re entering one of the most transformative periods I’ve seen in my career. Artificial intelligence, digital delivery, data analytics, and emerging technologies are fundamentally changing how organizations make decisions and deliver infrastructure. What excites me most isn’t the technology itself; it’s the opportunity to combine innovation with better leadership and business practices to solve problems that have existed for decades. I believe the next decade will bring unprecedented opportunities for women and small-business leaders to shape our industries. We can adapt quickly without being burdened by bureaucracy. I’m excited to be part of that transformation through Lumenor’s work and by developing the next generation of leaders. engineering ga [ feature ]
2026 | Summer 21
ANGELA SNYDER
PRACTICAL DESIGN PARTNERS
Why did you decide to start your own firm? It was a combination of personal and professional factors during COVID, when everyone was in quarantine. Starting a firm with my business partner, Brad, had been something we had discussed with friends for several years, but only as a lofty aspiration. People had encouraged me to seriously consider it. Once I was working from home full time while doing virtual school with my daughter, I gained a new perspective and realized the opportunity might be more realistic than I had thought.
What was your biggest risk? At first, the biggest risk was not knowing whether we could win work as a new firm with just the two of us, how long it might take, or what the financial implications could be for our families. Once we started winning work, the next hurdle was hiring someone and becoming responsible for that person’s livelihood. I remember telling Brad I would be okay staying small because the responsibility felt overwhelming.
What aspect of your company culture are you most proud of? I am proud of the people we have hired and the intentional effort we put into training and supporting them, managing their workloads so they are not expected to work more than 40 hours a week, and giving them opportunities to do work that makes them happy and fulfilled in their careers.
What achievement makes you the proudest as a founder? I am very excited that PDP was recently named a Best Firm to Work For in two categories. Zweig Group ranked us No. 7 among firms with 10–49 employees in the multi-discipline category and No. 6 among civil engineering firms. The recognition was based on anonymous employee surveys covering all aspects of the business. More important than the award itself, we reviewed the responses immediately and began improving programs and initiatives where our scores were lower than we wanted.
What's the best leadership lesson you've learned? It’s okay not to know everything or have all the right answers. It’s better to listen, absorb as much knowledge as you can, try something new, evaluate the result, and be willing to pivot. We did not know everything we needed when we started, but we figured it out as we went and were willing to fail and try again. We still do not have it all figured out—and claiming otherwise would be a sign that something is wrong.
What advice would you give a woman considering entrepreneurship? You do not need an MBA, a management degree, or all the other qualifications we sometimes tell ourselves we lack before taking that leap of faith. You need drive, tenacity, grit, a strong work ethic, and a good support system. I also believe that having a business partner who complements your skills and offsets your shortcomings helps mitigate the initial risk and is vital to success.
What excites you most about the next decade? I’m excited to watch our employees grow, develop, and succeed. Rather than focusing on the kind of head-count growth we have experienced so far, I look forward to growing their capabilities, confidence, and impact on our business and the industry.
22 Engineering Georgia
ANGELA SNYDER
PRACTICAL DESIGN PARTNERS
JENNIFER ETHERIDGE
AULICK ENGINEERING
friends, employees support one another through life’s milestones and challenges, and clients become long-term partners. Knowing that Aulick has created meaningful connections and a sense of belonging for so many people is more rewarding than any business achievement.
What achievement makes you the proudest as a founder?
JENNIFER ETHERIDGE
AULICK ENGINEERING
Why did you decide to start your own firm? When I started Aulick Engineering in 2011, I was motivated by the challenge of building something from the ground up, the flexibility to design my own career path, and the desire for greater control over my future. I had worked for a company that showed me how coworkers can become friends and offer family-like support. With a strange combination of excitement and fear, I set out to create a similar environment at Aulick, shaped by my own vision of meaningful work, lasting relationships, and a better tomorrow.
What was your biggest risk? Full of optimism—and probably a bit too much naivety—I did not view starting my company in 2011 as particularly risky. I felt led by faith to take the leap and was fortunate to have the support of a close mentor, trusted industry peers, and my family. Shortly after launching, I learned it would be almost a year before I received my DBE certification, making the endeavor much riskier. Combined with an economic recession, those early years were more financially and emotionally challenging than I expected. They also accelerated my growth as both a business owner and a person. If you’re considering starting your own company, acknowledge the risks, but allow yourself to move forward with confidence. The rewards and life lessons that come from pursuing a vision, overcoming challenges, and building something meaningful often far outweigh the uncertainties at the beginning of the journey.
What aspect of your company culture are you most proud of? More than any project or milestone, I’m proud of the culture we’ve built together and its positive impact on our employees, clients, and communities. We have stayed true to our belief that relationships come first. I’ve watched coworkers become close
My proudest achievement as a founder is the people who have been part of Aulick’s journey. I hoped to create a place where people could do meaningful work, build lasting relationships, and grow professionally and personally. I could never have fully anticipated how many incredible people would become part of that story. I have had the privilege of working alongside talented employees, trusted clients, supportive mentors, industry peers, business partners, and friends who believed in our vision. Some have spent their entire careers with us, while others were part of our journey for only a season, but each has left a lasting impact on the company and on me.
What's the best leadership lesson you've learned? Healthy things grow, and growing things change. One of the hardest leadership lessons I’ve learned is that as a company grows, its leader must evolve with it. A business coach once helped me recognize that my growing company had different needs and that the way I showed up had to change, much like a parent adapts through the stages of childhood. I’ve learned that effective leadership is more about who you are than what you do. Staying grounded in your values, remaining others-focused, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge and hold you accountable allow you to grow as a leader.
What advice would you give a woman considering entrepreneurship? Know your “why.” Be clear about what success means to you, and connect with others to make sure owning a company is the right path toward the meaningful, fulfilling career you want. If entrepreneurship is the right fit, do not wait until you feel completely ready. Ask questions, build relationships, find mentors, and take the leap before everything feels perfectly figured out. Most entrepreneurs are learning as they go. The key is having the courage to start and the willingness to keep learning.
What excites you most about the next decade? What excites me most is seeing Aulick’s next generation of leaders step into their own and guide this growing company in a way that stays true to our vision and values. One of the greatest rewards has been watching people grow in confidence, embrace new challenges, and become leaders. As we continue to broaden leadership and ownership, I’m excited about the opportunities that will create for individuals, our company, and the communities we serve.
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2026 | Summer 23
MALORY ATKINSON
SHEAR STRUCTURAL
Why did you decide to start your own firm? I wanted to build more than a structural engineering firm—I wanted to build a company that could make a lasting, positive impact on the communities we serve. Every project, whether it is a school, park, civic space, or cultural landmark, can improve people’s lives. Starting Shear gave us the chance to combine technical excellence with a genuine commitment to strengthening the places where people live, learn, work, worship, and gather.
What was your biggest risk? Choosing to build something that did not yet exist was the biggest risk. As Georgia’s first woman-owned structural engineering firm, we knew we would face challenges. We also saw an opportunity to create a firm that reflected our values, invested in diversity, and showed that leadership comes in many forms.
What aspect of your company culture are you most proud of? I’m most proud that we’ve created a place where people feel supported professionally and personally. We are more than engineers—we are people. We celebrate each other’s successes and genuinely care about one another. We are transparent, deliver on our promises, and intentionally focus on those things every day.
What achievement makes you the proudest as a founder? While I’m proud of the incredible community projects we’ve designed, the achievement that means the most is being recognized in 2025 as the No. 1 Best Structural Engineering Firm to Work For. It is a wonderful honor that reflects the culture we’ve intentionally built together. Knowing our team feels valued, supported, and excited to come to work each day is the accomplishment I’m most proud of.
What's the best leadership lesson you've learned? Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating an environment where other people can do their best work. I’ve learned that listening, trusting your team, and investing in people will always have a greater long-term impact than trying to do everything yourself.
What advice would you give a woman considering entrepreneurship? Don’t wait until you feel completely ready, because you probably never will. Build a strong support network and remember that your perspective is your advantage, not your obstacle. There will always be reasons not to take the leap, but growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone.
What excites you most about the next decade? I’m excited to continue building not just our firm, but the next generation of leaders within it. Watching our team take more ownership, embrace innovation, and shape the future of our industry is incredibly rewarding. Our profession also has a tremendous opportunity to make an even greater impact on the communities we serve, and I’m excited to be part of that evolution and the next chapter of Shear Structural.
24 Engineering Georgia
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MALORY ATKINSON
SHEAR STRUCTURAL
2026 | Summer 25
KELI KEMP
MODERN MOBILITY PARTNERS
Why did you decide to start your own firm? I wanted control over the work and the freedom to build the kind of culture I believed in. Frankly, if I was going to work this hard, I figured I might as well be doing it for myself.
What was your biggest risk? Putting our own finances on the line to get the firm off the ground was the biggest risk. Betting on yourself is terrifying, but it’s also the moment you find out what you’re made of.
What aspect of your company culture are you most proud of? We hold ourselves to a standard where the quality of our work speaks for itself, and we push to be thought leaders rather than followers. I’m proud that our team does not just deliver projects; they help shape where the industry is headed.
What achievement makes you the proudest as a founder? I’m proud of watching the firm grow and win work we once only dreamed of pursuing, alongside a team we built from the ground up. Every project we land is proof that the bet was worth it.
What's the best leadership lesson you've learned? Hire people you trust, then get out of their way. It’s easier said than done when your name is on the line, but you cannot grow anything if you insist on being the smartest person in every room. I’m still working on this!
What advice would you give a woman considering entrepreneurship? Stop waiting until you feel “ready.” You never will, and that’s okay. Bet on yourself the way you would bet on anyone else you believe in.
What excites you most about the next decade? The responsible use of AI will let us do much more. As I heard at a conference, “Technology creates the possibility—people create the value.” The tools are powerful, but our people turn them into something that matters.
26 Engineering Georgia
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KELI KEMP
MODERN MOBILITY PARTNERS
LINDA EDWARDS
EDWARDS-PITMAN ENVIRONMENTAL
Why did you decide to start your own firm? In the beginning, no other firms provided environmental services to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Most environmental work was done in-house by a small number of dedicated professionals. We saw an opportunity to fill that niche, provide top-quality environmental work, and help meet GDOT’s needs. Our vision paid off.
What was your biggest risk? We had to capitalize the firm and borrow money to operate it at a very young age. We borrowed from interested investors and family and were thankful they would take the risk. Traditional banks considered us too risky and told us no many times. We kept going—so don’t give up.
What aspect of your company culture are you most proud of? As we have grown from four people to more than 125 over the past 32 years, we have strived to remain close-knit and supportive. Our staff knows how much we value them, not only through monetary support but also through recognition awards for safety, client service, and other critical aspects of our firm.
What achievement makes you the proudest as a founder? I am most proud of the people who have helped build the firm through the years. We have a great team, and we have stuck together. Some people have left for other careers or firms, but they have often returned as employees or continued to remember us fondly.
What's the best leadership lesson you've learned? Don’t ask others to do things you would not do yourself. Roll up your sleeves and work on projects alongside your people.
What advice would you give a woman considering entrepreneurship? Be well capitalized to operate your firm, and surround yourself with a great team that shares your vision and brings complementary skills to the group. Strive to be the best at what you do, and expect the same from the people you rely on.
What excites you most about the next decade? I am most excited about the firm’s future growth and development. Since our beginning, we have expanded into many fields. In recent years, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Braun Intertec has helped us support our staff as they branch into new service lines and expand heavily into sectors such as energy. Our client partners also support that expansion by teaming with us in new areas. Many of those clients have remained with Edwards-Pitman through the years.
2026 | Summer 27
EMILEE WOODS
ATHENA ENGINEERING
Why did you decide to start your own firm? I started asking myself, “What is all this work actually for?” For me, the answer was people: my family, colleagues, clients, and the communities our projects serve. I wanted to create a place where investing in people was not a talking point, but something leadership had the power to do every day. My second son, just a few weeks old when I made the decision, made me brave. Although the timing signaled “play it safe,” he inspired me to stop waiting, stay true to myself, and dream bigger.
What was your biggest risk? Hiring. Entrepreneurship is often described as betting on yourself, and that part did not scare me as much. But when you hire someone, the risk stops being only yours. I promised myself from the start that our people would never bear the brunt of my “risk.” Their paychecks, stability, and families come first. Taking on that responsibility and deliberately putting myself last in line is the riskiest and most clarifying thing I’ve done. It is also exactly why Athena exists.
What aspect of your company culture are you most proud of? I’m proud that people are actually heard. Our leadership team does not think alike or solve problems in the same way, and I consider that one of our greatest strengths. The best decisions come from genuinely different perspectives, not consensus by default. I’m also proud that our office is a place people enjoy being. Trusting professionals to manage their time and have fun along the way signals that we respect them. Life is too short for work to be joyless.
EMILEE WOODS
ATHENA ENGINEERING
What excites you most about the next decade? The next decade presents a tremendous opportunity for small firms, and Athena was built for it. A generational leadership transition is underway across our industry, creating opportunities for firms of every size that have invested in their people. New technology is also eroding the old advantages of sheer size. I see a future where Athena delivers the depth and reach that once required much larger teams without losing the responsiveness and accountability a small firm offers. I’m excited to build something that is ours, with the right people at the right time.
What achievement makes you the proudest as a founder? Just past our one-year mark, we won our first project as a prime under our own name. The selection letter hangs in our break room, representing the moment a client said, “We trust you. Show us what you can do.” But the quieter achievement comes when I see our office buzzing with people solving problems, laughing, and thriving in an ecosystem that did not exist two years ago. We did not join this; we built it from nothing. It’s a pinch-me moment.
What's the best leadership lesson you've learned? Absorb, don’t reflect. When pressure, frustration, or bad news hits a leader, the team watches what you do with it. If you amplify the stress and bounce it back onto those around you, it multiplies throughout the organization. If you take it in, steady yourself, and respond with intention instead of emotion, your team gets clarity instead of chaos. That does not mean suppressing everything or pretending things are fine; it means processing the pressure so it becomes useful.
What advice would you give a woman considering entrepreneurship? Be ready for the double standard dressed up as concern, and don’t let it bully you out of trying. Build a network of people who are not threatened by success and who root for one another without reservation. When I started Athena, people questioned who would care for my family and home while I built a company, and whether success would be worth the cost. A supportive network found me when I needed it most. Two years later, I can say my family did not bear a cost; they gained a stronger, happier version of me.
28 Engineering Georgia
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some of the region’s most complex transportation programs, and engineers who joined us early now lead that work. Staying small would have been safer, but we kept investing in our people and betting on what the firm could become. Knowing the work will outlast us through better infrastructure and careers built here—and seeing my son thrive within the firm—is what makes me proudest.
What's the best leadership lesson you've learned? The best leadership lesson I have learned is that relationships matter. Technical skills and experience are important, but people choose to work with leaders they trust. Listening, being present, following through on commitments, and genuinely caring about others create stronger teams and partnerships than any title or accomplishment. Leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about building trust, helping others succeed, and creating an environment where people feel valued and motivated to do their best work.
MAE WHITESIDE WILLIAMS
CKL ENGINEERS
Why did you decide to start your own firm? A trusted friend suggested I explore an opportunity with the O’Hare Modernization Program as a civil construction engineer. There, I developed an appreciation for aviation while working as a geotechnical field and erosion and sediment control inspector across 466 acres. After passing the P.E. exam, I worked on tasks ranging from relocating a large basin and sampling soil to constructing base courses and pavements. I realized how rewarding it would be to pursue the challenges of airport construction engineering and inspection. To remain in aviation, I decided to create a firm providing those services. The idea for CKL Engineers, LLC, literally took shape while I was performing plasticity tests on clayey soils before subgrade compaction.
What was your biggest risk? My career has come with its share of challenges. Early on, short-term assignments made it difficult to build lasting relationships or establish myself with one team. Construction also meant early mornings, long commutes, and personal sacrifices; at one point, my sister moved in to help care for my young son. As a Black woman in engineering, I sometimes felt I had to work harder to prove I belonged. When I started my firm, I realized that running a business required much more than technical expertise. Learning to compete for work, build relationships, and grow a company became a whole new challenge.
What advice would you give a woman considering entrepreneurship? Never let someone else define what you are capable of accomplishing. Be curious, ask questions, and do not be afraid to step into rooms where you may be the only woman or the only person who looks like you. Build genuine relationships, find mentors or executive coaches who will challenge and encourage you, and keep investing in your growth. Avoid leaders who do not value your time or perspective. Most importantly, remember that your perspective has value. Engineering needs different voices, experiences, and leaders willing to create opportunities for the next generation.
What excites you most about the next decade? I’m growing CKL from a discipline-based CEI firm into a full capital program delivery firm. I am betting that a woman-led enterprise can own entire programs, not just fill a role on someone else’s. The infrastructure need is historic, the funding is real, and who delivers it is open. I’m excited to build something lasting and develop future program leaders.
What aspect of your company culture are you most proud of? I’m proudest that I learned to lead with emotional intelligence. In this industry, it is easy to treat people as technical resources or as certifications and billable hours. We have worked hard to do the opposite: to truly see our people, understand what they need to grow, and build the kind of trust that allows someone to tell you the hard thing instead of the safe thing. Leadership here is not a title; it is developed at every level and starts with how we treat one another. They are my family. When people feel supported and challenged, they grow—and our clients and firm feel it.
What achievement makes you the proudest as a founder? The achievement I’m proudest of is not a single project or contract. It is the firm and the people in it. CKL began as a small construction engineering firm on Chicago’s far South Side. Today, we help deliver
2026 | Summer 29
100 INFLUENTIAL WOMEN Selected by ACEC Georgia's 100 Influential Women in Engineering Committee
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COMPILED & EDITED BY BRETT HILLESHEIM
Engineering is often measured in what can be seen: the roads that connect communities, the buildings that shape skylines, the systems that deliver power and clean water, and the infrastructure that keeps Georgia moving. Behind each of those achievements are people whose leadership, expertise and persistence turn ideas into lasting progress. The women recognized in Engineering Georgia’s 2026 list of the 100 Most Influential Women in Georgia Engineering are helping lead that work across every corner of the profession. They are engineers, executives, educators, entrepreneurs, public officials and industry advocates. Some oversee major infrastructure programs and growing firms. Others are advancing research, shaping public policy, mentoring the next generation or opening doors that were not always open to them.
30 Engineering Georgia
Influence, however, is not defined by a title alone. It is reflected in the ability to bring people together, challenge familiar ways of thinking and create opportunities for others to succeed. It is found in difficult decisions made with integrity, in teams strengthened through thoughtful leadership and in careers devoted to serving clients, communities and the public good. Together, these 100 women represent both how far the profession has come and the extraordinary potential of where it is headed. Their accomplishments are changing Georgia today, while their leadership is helping build a stronger, more inclusive and more innovative engineering industry for the generations that follow.
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KIMBERLY AJY
JENNIFER BALL
President | R2T
COO | Downtown Atlanta, Inc.
Ajy is President of River To Tap, Inc. (R2T, Inc.), where she leads the firm's strategic growth and operations across municipal and federal markets. A respected leader in Georgia's water and wastewater industry, she has built a reputation for advancing projects that protect source water quality, address municipal discharge impacts, and promote the long-term sustainability of water systems. Under her leadership, R2T has expanded its publicsector portfolio while maintaining a collaborative, solutions-focused approach to serving clients. Known for fostering strong partnerships and delivering meaningful environmental outcomes, Ajy continues to help shape the future of water infrastructure throughout Georgia.
Ball significantly contributes to the urban renaissance of Downtown Atlanta through her role with Downtown Atlanta, Inc. Ball oversees pivotal areas such as economic development, urban planning, transportation, and sustainability initiatives. Her stewardship includes transformative projects such as the Atlanta Arts & Entertainment District and the Downtown Atlanta Master Plan, with ongoing efforts channeling over $40 million into public space improvements. Ball's educational foundation includes bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Georgia Tech College of Design.
DANIA APONTE
Assistant State Traffic Engineer | GDOT
Principal Environmental Planner/Environmental OV Manager| Edwards-Pitman Environmental Aponte brings nearly four decades of experience in environmental planning, compliance, and transportation infrastructure. Since 2021, she has served as Environmental Owner Verification (OV) Manager for the I-285/I-20 East Interchange Design-Build project and now also holds the same role for the West Interchange project. Her distinguished career includes senior leadership positions with the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, and the Georgia Department of Defense, where she became the first civilian woman in Georgia to serve as Deputy Construction and Facilities Maintenance Officer for the Georgia Army National Guard.
ANITA ATKINSON, PE
Vice President, Engineering & Survey Division | Patterson & Dewar Engineers
Atkinson leads a multidisciplinary team of electrical engineers, civil engineers, and surveyors focused on designing critical power delivery infrastructure for electric utilities and data centers. A licensed professional engineer in seven states, Anita brings over 20 years of experience in transmission and distribution line design, technical training, and consulting. Anita is the current President of the ASCE Georgia Section and serves on the External Advisory Board for the Georgia Tech School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
MALORY ATKINSON, CPSM, LEED GA Co-Founder, Managing Partner | Shear Structural
Atkinson is a proud Georgia Tech yellow jacket, and with a background in building construction and an MBA in marketing, Malory blends technical expertise with strategic leadership to oversee the firm’s financial operations, marketing, business development, and company culture. She is passionate about designing spaces that serve communities and advancing inclusive leadership in the AEC industry. Malory is actively involved in professional and nonprofit organizations, where she advocates for the next generation of engineers and women in business.
CHRISTINA BARRY, PE
Barry oversees statewide intelligent transportation systems, freeway operations, and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. During her 13-year career with GDOT, she has become a recognized leader in traffic engineering, developing the department's Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) policy and previously leading its Roundabout and Alternative Intersection Design (RAID) group. Barry has also played a key role in expanding Georgia's Towing and Recovery Incentive Program (TRIP) and managing the transition to a new statewide Advanced Traffic Management System. Her innovative leadership earned her a GDOT Commissioner's Achievement Award.
LOREN BARTLETT
Group Director/VP | HNTB
Bartlett leads the delivery of innovative transportation solutions across the Southeast. With more than 20 years of experience in intelligent transportation systems, tolling, traffic operations, and program delivery, she has helped shape some of the region's most transformative mobility initiatives. Known for her strategic vision and collaborative leadership, Bartlett is committed to positioning both clients and teams for long-term success while delivering complex infrastructure programs. A graduate of Auburn University with a degree in civil engineering, she continues to influence transportation policy and project delivery through innovation, partnership, and a focus on public impact.
LAURA BEALL
Planning Division Manager | Cobb County DOT Beall leads the county's transportation planning initiatives and oversees the programming of federal and state funding for project delivery. She works closely with regional, state, and federal partners to secure grant funding and advance major transportation investments throughout Cobb County. Under her leadership, the division is guiding significant efforts including the Allatoona Creek Greenway Trail Study, Major Thoroughfare Plan, East-West Connector Corridor Study, and Freight Study, while preparing updates to the county's Trail, Bike and Pedestrian Plan, Safety Action Plan, and Comprehensive Transportation Plan. Her collaborative approach continues to shape the future of mobility in Cobb County. N 2026 | Summer 31
CLAUDIA BILOTTO, AICP
TONIA P. BROWN, PE
Senior Vice President, Southeast Region Executive | WSP USA
Highway Group Manager - Georgia Transportation | Jacobs
Bilotto leads WSP's Southeast operations, guiding the strategy, growth, and performance of the firm's diverse business lines while fostering trusted partnerships with clients and communities across the region. With more than 26 years of experience, she has directed transformative transportation projects and complex stakeholder and public engagement initiatives that have shaped infrastructure investment throughout the Southeast. Bilotto is an active leader within the profession, serving on the Georgia Tech College of Design and School of City and Regional Planning Advisory Boards and as co-chair of the Georgia Partnership for Transit Excellence.
Brown has 23+ years of project management and roadway design experience, a valued reputation for detailed project coordination, and in-depth knowledge in the development of all aspects of roadway plans. In her current role, Brown focuses on both sales and operations, developing client relationships, managing project budgets, scopes, and schedules, while directing the project team’s compliance with contract terms and ensuring quality in all deliverables. She leads, inspires, and develops junior and mid-level staff while supporting and maintaining positive relationships at all levels as people are her priority.
SARAH BLACKBURN, PE
PAMELA BURNETT
Owner, Georgia Roadway Design Department Leader | Gresham Smith
Executive Director | GAWP
Blackburn has over 17 years of experience connecting people and places across Georgia. With a focus on safety and efficiency, as well as expertise in GDOT’s design policies and design software, she is pushing boundaries toward multi-modal, technology-driven transportation solutions. She is well respected in the engineering community and an active member of ASHE Georgia Chapter, receiving numerous awards and is the Past President. Additionally, Sarah serves on Gresham Smith’s company-wide Workforce Development committee and is leading the formalization of a mentorship program, which launched firmwide this year.
Burnett leads the organization's mission of supporting more than 4,000 individual members and 300 utility and corporate members through education, training, conferences, and industry collaboration. Since joining GAWP in 2012, she has drawn on more than 35 years of experience in water management, serving public agencies, utilities, and engineering consulting firms. Her distinguished career includes leadership roles with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, National Weather Service, and Atlanta Regional Commission.
SUSAN E. BURNS, PHD, PE. F.ASCE
Dwight H. Evans Professor and Associate Vice President for Research Operations and Infrastructure | Georgia Institute of Technology | President, Geo-Institute of ASCE
KERRIE BOYETTE, PE
Vice President, Regional Practice Leader | KCI Technologies
Boyette provides strategic direction for one of the firm's highest-performing business units. Over the past seven years, she has grown the organization to more than 160 design professionals delivering environmental, traffic engineering, operations, structural engineering, highway engineering, and planning services across more than 150 active projects. In addition to overseeing project delivery, Kerrie directs budgeting, strategic business planning, financial management, contract negotiations, and staff development for the Georgia transportation practice. Her collaborative leadership and commitment to operational excellence continue to drive growth, strengthen client relationships, and deliver impactful transportation solutions across the state.
LENOR BROMBERG, PE, F.ASCE
Deputy Commissioner, Engineering | City of Atlanta, Department of Transportation Bromberg has unique experience developing transportation infrastructure and in site development from planning through design and construction. She progressed from Project Engineer in the consultant industry to senior leadership in a major city government which has afforded her experience in operations and program management, environmental assessment and documentation, public engagement, design, and construction inspection. 32 Engineering Georgia
Burns has served on the faculty since 2004 after earning four degrees from the institution. An internationally recognized expert in geoenvironmental engineering, her research focuses on the beneficial use of waste materials, bio-mediated ground improvement, and the chemical and engineering behavior of soils. Burns currently serves as President of the Geo-Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers and is a member of Georgia Tech's Executive Vice President for Research leadership team.
BRITTANY CAISON
Chief Operating Officer | Jackson EMC Caison leads the engineering, operations, and technology divisions serving more than 275,000 members across Northeast Georgia. Since joining Jackson EMC in 2011, she has held a series of executive leadership roles, helping guide strategic planning, grid modernization, cybersecurity, business technology, and system operations. Caison provides strategic oversight of the cooperative's power supply, infrastructure, and operational technology while positioning the organization for continued growth and industry transformation. She also serves on the University of Georgia College of Engineering Advisory Board and has been recognized as a University of Georgia 40 Under 40 honoree for her professional leadership and community impact.
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STACEY CHAPMAN
SUZANNE COOLER, PE, CFM, MPA, M.ASCE
Partner and Senior Vice President | Croft
Chapman helps shape the firm's long-term vision, strategic growth, client relationships, and market expansion initiatives. Recognized for her collaborative leadership and ability to build lasting partnerships, she has played a pivotal role in advancing the firm's success while fostering a culture centered on employee engagement and leadership development. Chapman is a dedicated mentor who is passionate about developing the next generation of leaders within the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Through her involvement in numerous civic, charitable, and professional organizations, she continues to champion workforce development, community engagement, and servant leadership across Georgia.
NORMA CLICK, C.M.
Director of Airside/Landside for Planning and Development | Department of Aviation at HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport Click leads the delivery of complex aviation infrastructure projects. With nearly 40 years of aviation experience, she has overseen more than $700 million in airside and landside capital improvements, helping enhance operations at one of the world's busiest airports. Before joining ATL, Click served 21 years in the United States Air Force, directing airfield operations and managing aviation construction initiatives. Her expertise in airport planning, FAA-funded programs, and capital project delivery has made her a respected leader in Georgia's aviation industry.
LORRAINE COCHRAN- JOHNSON CEO | DeKalb County
Cochran-Johnson served as the Super District 7 Commissioner, where she saved taxpayers over $92 million using audit review. Lorraine manages a $1.8 billion budget and passed the largest infrastructure investment in Dekalb County history with a 10-year rate increase that will generate $3.8 billion during her first 45 days in office. Lorraine authored the Small Box Store Ordinance and the DeKalb Video Surveillance System Ordinance adopted as model legislation on a national level. Lorraine was the 2023 Elected Official of the Year by the American Public Works Association and received The Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden in 2023.
REBECCA COLLINS, PE, CPESC Civil Engineer/Aviation | Kimley-Horn
Collins has more than 20 years of experience leading complex infrastructure projects across the aviation, transportation, site development, and community planning sectors. After earning her civil engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2001, she built a distinguished career managing engineering teams and major airport programs throughout the Southeast. Since joining Kimley-Horn in 2023, she has led multiple Georgia Department of Transportation statewide aviation contracts along with numerous airport planning and engineering on-call agreements across Georgia.
County Engineer | Chatham County
Cooler made history as the first woman to hold the position. Since 2021, she has led the planning and delivery of a broad portfolio of public infrastructure initiatives, including transportation improvements, stormwater and floodplain management, environmental compliance, vertical construction, and SPLOST-funded capital projects. Having served Chatham County since 2000 in a variety of engineering leadership roles, Cooler has built a reputation for collaborative leadership, innovation, and operational excellence. Her commitment to resilient infrastructure and efficient project delivery continues to enhance public safety and support the long-term growth of coastal Georgia.
DEBBIE COTTRELL, PE Program Manager | HNTB
Cottrell brings more than 30 years of experience delivering critical infrastructure projects across the state. She provides strategic leadership on complex transportation initiatives, leveraging extensive expertise in Georgia Department of Transportation processes, roadway design, stormwater compliance, civil site design, and multidisciplinary project delivery. Known for her collaborative approach and technical excellence, Cottrell works closely with agency partners and project teams to develop innovative, efficient solutions that enhance mobility, improve safety, and support the continued growth of Georgia's transportation network.
LISA CUPID
Cobb County Commissioner | Cobb County
Cupid is the first black and first female Commission Chair of Cobb County. She has served on the Cobb County Board of Commissioners since 2013. Cupid is known as a strong advocate for the fair treatment of all Cobb’s residents and stakeholders regardless of geographic, demographic, or economic standing. She’s an attorney and former mediator, policy analyst, and manufacturing process engineer. She lives in Smyrna with her two children and husband, also an attorney, law partner, and former electrical engineer. Both are graduates of Georgia Tech and Georgia State Law.
STEPHANIE DAMMEN-MORRELL
Principal, Marketing & Business Development | Hussey Gay Bell Dammen-Morrell leads strategic marketing, branding, and business development initiatives across the firm's family of companies throughout the Southeast. With nearly 20 years of leadership experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, she has played a key role in strengthening the firm's market presence and fostering lasting client relationships. A graduate of Leadership Savannah, Leadership Southeast Georgia, and Leadership Georgia, Dammen-Morrell is an active leader in numerous professional organizations, including ACEC Georgia, SMPS, ULI Atlanta, GEDA, SIOR, and the SAME Savannah Post, advancing the engineering profession throughout the region. N 2026 | Summer 33
ALYSSA DAVIS
Executive Director | Sugarloaf CID
Davis leads the Sugarloaf CID, a hub for business and entertainment in the heart of Gwinnett County. Her work ranges from transportation improvements to safety initiatives to public art installations. Before joining the Sugarloaf CID, she worked for seven years at the Gateway85 CID where she managed the CID's plans and transportation projects. She has a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and she is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. She is a graduate of Leadership Gwinnett and the Regional Leadership Institute. Prior to her experience working with CIDs, Alyssa participated in Teach for America in New York City.
LAURA DAWOOD
Environmental Group Manager/Associate Vice President | AECOM Dawood leads environmental strategy and compliance for complex transportation infrastructure projects. With a master's degree in Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development from the University of Georgia and a bachelor's degree in Biology from McGill University, she has built a career advancing environmental stewardship in project delivery. Her expertise includes NEPA documentation, permitting, wetland and ecological assessments, and coordination with agencies including the FHWA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and National Park Service. Through collaborative leadership, Laura helps integrate sustainable environmental solutions into Georgia's transportation infrastructure.
FAYE DIMASSIMO
Chief of Planning and Economic Development | City of Savannah
DiMassimo brings over 40 years of experience across federal, regional, and local agencies. She has led multimodal transportation systems and infrastructure programs in Atlanta, Cobb County, Nashville, and Savannah. Her previous roles include CEO of Chatham Area Transit and Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Nashville. A Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners, DiMassimo holds degrees from Auburn University. She is a member of Rotary Club of Savannah and has been named to Engineering Georgia’s 100 Most Influential Women list every year since 2022.
EMILY DUNN
Board Member - 9th Congressional District | GDOT Dunn has served on the Georgia Department of Transportation State Transportation Board since 2011, representing Georgia's 9th Congressional District and helping guide transportation policy and infrastructure investment across the state. A trailblazing leader, she became the first woman elected chair of the State Transportation Board in 2015 and later served a second term as chair. In addition to her public service, Dunn is president of Tom's Amusement Company and has served in leadership roles with the Amusement and Music Operators Association.
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WENDY DYSON, AICP
Vice President, Sr. Market Director, Growth and Strategy | AtkinsRéalis
Dyson has more than 27 years of experience in project development and delivery. A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, she plays a key leadership role at AtkinsRéalis, where she helps drive project delivery, strategic coordination, market diversification, and geographic expansion across the Roads, Bridges, and Tolls practice. Committed to innovation, technical excellence, and exceptional client service, Dyson is also a passionate advocate for professional development and mentorship. She serves on the steering committee of the Georgia Partnership for Transportation Quality and is an active member of WTS and the Georgia Planning Association, helping advance Georgia's transportation industry.
LINDA EDWARDS
Vice President | Edwards-Pitman Environmental Edwards is the founder of Edwards-Pitman Environmental, which she established in 1994 and has grown into a multidisciplinary environmental consulting firm with more than 150 employees and offices in Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama. With more than 40 years of engineering and environmental experience, she has built a legacy of leadership, innovation, and service throughout the Southeast. Edwards has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Female Business Enterprise Phoenix Trailblazer Award and induction into the City of Atlanta's Women Flying High program for her contributions to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
JENNIFER AULICK-ETHERIDGE, PE President | Aulick Engineering
Aulick-Etheridge is the founder and president of Aulick Engineering, a woman-owned engineering firm she established in 2011 that has grown into a leading provider of engineering design and construction management services for transportation projects throughout the Southeast. With more than 25 years of experience specializing in hydraulics, hydrology, and aviation infrastructure, she has helped deliver critical roadway and airport improvements across the region. Etheridge serves as Treasurer of the ACEC Georgia Board of Directors and is an active member of the Georgia Partnership for Transportation Quality Aviation Subcommittee, the American Society of Highway Engineers, the Georgia Airports Association, and the Association of Georgia General Aviation Airports. She is also committed to giving back through her firm's Aulick Cares community outreach initiatives. N
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LIGIA C. FLORIM, PE
ANNIE GILLESPIE, PE
Pre-Construction Engineer | Cobb County DOT
Chief Engineer | State Road and Tollway Authority
Florim leads the planning and development of transportation projects that improve mobility throughout the county. With more than 26 years of experience in transportation engineering, she has served in numerous leadership roles, including Project Manager, District Engineer, Development Services Manager, and president of a planning and engineering consulting firm. Florim is an active leader within the profession, serving as a Director-at-Large for WTS Atlanta and representing the organization on the editorial board of Engineering Georgia Magazine. She is equally committed to community service through volunteer leadership with youth, education, and civic organizations across Georgia.
MONICA FLOURNOY, PE
Southeast Field Operations Manager | Atlas Flournoy is a nationally respected transportation engineering leader with more than 33 years of experience delivering complex infrastructure programs across Georgia and the Southeast. Her expertise spans construction engineering and inspection, program management, geotechnical engineering, materials and testing, quality assurance, and workforce development. Before joining Atlas, Flournoy spent 28 years with the Georgia Department of Transportation, culminating in her role as State Materials Engineer. Recognized for her technical expertise, collaborative leadership, and commitment to developing the next generation of professionals, she continues to help advance transportation excellence throughout the region.
Gillespie leads the Engineering and Delivery Division, she spearheads toll systems engineering, transit facility design, and agency-wide project management. Gillespie also oversees toll, transit, and customer service business intelligence, along with programs such as Developments of Regional Impact and SRTA’s Grant and Loan initiatives, cementing her pivotal role in shaping transportation infrastructure across Georgia.
STEPHANIE GRAHL, PE Chief Engineer | MC Squared
Having worked nearly 30 years in transportation, water and wastewater, industrial, energy, commercial, and municipal sectors, Grahl has extensive background and expertise in geotechnical engineering and geo-forensic engineering, particularly in subsurface explorations and foundation assessments for heavy civil infrastructure projects, including roadways, bridges, water conveyance systems, power plants, unstable slopes, dikes, and vertical construction. Her experience also includes managing laboratory programs, providing construction support services, and managing teams of geotechnical professionals for small to large-scale projects throughout the United States and abroad. As Chief Engineer, Grahl thrives in guiding and empowering young and old engineers alike to think beyond the books and develop sound solutions to support the clients' needs.
KIM GREENE, PE
RHANDI GALLEGOS, PE, LEED AP, M.JD
Chairman, President & CEO | Georgia Power
VP/Area Manager – GA | STV Company
Gallegos is responsible for staff management, supports business development, and project delivery. She has nearly 30 years of broad experience in transportation engineering and management encompassing a wide range of projects. She is drawn to the challenge of analyzing and determining project solutions while her unique perspective allows her to envision a strategy for growth and diversification. Rhandi is an active member of ACEC, the Council for Quality Growth and is the Scholarship Chair for the WTS Atlanta Chapter.
TANISHA GEORGES, PE
Greene leads the state's largest electric utility in serving more than 2.8 million customers. A nationally recognized energy executive, she is helping shape the future of the industry through her leadership in grid reliability, innovation, emerging technologies, safety, and customer experience. Before assuming her current role in 2023, Greene served as chairman, president, and CEO of Southern Company Gas, overseeing operations that served millions of natural gas customers across multiple states. A respected advocate for STEM education and the future of energy, Greene continues to drive strategic investments that power Georgia's economic growth and prosperity.
Assistant State Project Review Engineer | GDOT
REGAN HAMMOND, AICP
Georges provides leadership for the Design Review Section within the Office of Engineering Services. During her two-decade career with GDOT, she has held key roles in construction, pavement management, materials testing, and engineering services, contributing to initiatives that improve the quality and delivery of transportation projects statewide. Georges oversees design review operations, quality assurance, consultant contracts, and the development of best practices and training for engineering teams.
Hammond leads a multidisciplinary team of more than 120 professionals delivering transportation, environmental, land development, and design solutions across Georgia. With more than 24 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, she has built a career focused on creating connected, sustainable communities through innovative infrastructure planning and project delivery. An AICP-certified planner, Hammond specializes in multimodal transportation planning, safety, program management, community engagement, and project implementation. N
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Managing Director - Atlanta | VHB
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ANN HANLON
KIMBERLY HUDGINS
Executive Director | Perimeter CID
Senior Vice President, Director of Governmejant Affairs | HNTB
Hanlon leads strategic investments in transportation infrastructure and oversees one of Georgia's largest community improvement districts. With a career spanning regional planning, public policy, and infrastructure development, she has become a leading voice in advancing mobility and economic growth throughout metro Atlanta. Hanlon previously led the North Fulton Community Improvement District and served at the Atlanta Regional Commission. She has served on the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Board and chaired the Council for Quality Growth. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Georgia State University,
KRYSTAL HARRIS
Program Director | ATL Airport CIDs Harris is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in strategic transportation planning and high-level project management. She currently manages the ATL Airport CIDs capital program and has a deep understanding of projects from conception to construction, with the ability to grasp content data quickly and easily. Harris has nearly 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, with her last 12 years spent at GDOT in various roles in Planning and Asset Management. Harris holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
NICOLE LOVE HENDRICKSON
Chairwoman | Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Hendrickson leads policy and strategic initiatives for Georgia's second-most populous county and oversees a $2.58 billion annual budget serving more than one million residents. Elected in 2020 as the first African American to hold the position and reelected in 2024, she has championed investments in transportation, transit planning, housing affordability, economic development, and responsive local government. Hendrickson serves on numerous regional and national boards, including the Atlanta Regional Commission and National Association of Counties, helping shape policy on transportation, housing, and workforce development.
JILL HODGES, PE, CPESC Chief Design Engineer | VHB
For over three decades, Hodges has dedicated herself to delivering top-tier transportation design projects. With a wealth of expertise in project management, technical design, and plan development, she’s left an indelible mark on state and local transportation initiatives across Georgia. Hodges' extensive project portfolio spans a diverse range, encompassing two-lane and multi-lane rural and urban roadways, interstate facilities, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, traffic operations studies, drainage analysis, and erosion control plans. Currently serving as Chief Design Engineer at VHB's Atlanta office, she drives innovation and excellence in transportation engineering, ensuring the continued advancement of Georgia's infrastructure landscape. 38 Engineering Georgia
Hudgins leads public-sector advocacy and strategic engagement across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. With more than 25 years of experience in government relations, she has built a distinguished career advancing transportation and infrastructure policies that support economic growth and regional mobility. Hudgins is recognized for her ability to forge strong partnerships among public agencies, elected officials, and private-sector stakeholders, helping move complex infrastructure initiatives forward. A graduate of Georgia State University, she continues to be a respected voice in shaping transportation policy and investment throughout the region.
JENNA JAMBECK
Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering | UGA College of Engineering Jambeck is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor in Environmental Engineering at the University of Georgia, a 2022 MacArthur Fellow, and founder of the Circularity Informatics Lab. An internationally recognized leader in environmental engineering, she has spent nearly three decades advancing research in solid waste management and more than 25 years studying plastic pollution. As a National Geographic Fellow, she co-led the Sea to Source: Ganges Expedition, helping transform global understanding of plastic waste in the environment. Jambeck's groundbreaking research and leadership have earned numerous honors, including the SEC Professor of the Year Award, the UGA Creative Research Medal, and recognition among Georgia's most influential leaders.
KAREN JENKINS
Owner | Shear Structural
Jenkins has worked in the design profession for over 35 years with experience as both an Architect and a Structural Engineer. She is one of the co-founders of Shear Structural, a women-owned structural engineering firm in Atlanta, Georgia serving the southeast. As a Georgia Tech alum, Jenkins serves as the Board Chair for the External Advisory Board for the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, a board member of the College of Engineering and teaches part-time in the School of Architecture, College of Design. She also serves as a mentor to the College of Engineering students.
JODONNA JIMENEZ, PE
Business Line Leader, GA & SC | MC Squared Jimenez provides strategic leadership for multidisciplinary teams serving transportation, environmental, and infrastructure clients across the region. With more than 20 years of experience in geotechnical, environmental, and materials engineering, she has built a reputation for delivering technically sound solutions while fostering collaboration and innovation. Jimenez is recognized for her people-centered leadership, mentoring emerging professionals, and cultivating strong organizational culture.
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ALIA JOHNSON, PE
Engineering Manager | DeKalb Department of Watershed Management
Johnson has 20 years of experience in water and wastewater engineering. Johnson is an Engineering Manager for the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management and has worked with the County for 15 years, where she currently leads a group of 15 staff members comprising Principal Engineers, Senior Engineers, and Staff Engineers. Ms. Johnson has an extensive leadership background and project management experience, particularly in the assessment and rehabilitation of sanitary sewer collection systems. Over the past 14 years, she has managed a variety of water and wastewater system upgrade projects of varying sizes and is now overseeing these projects as her role of Engineering Manager.
RACHEL JONES, PE, CFM
Section Manager, Stormwater Capital Planning | Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources Jones leads watershed improvement planning, stormwater infrastructure investments, and dam safety compliance initiatives. With 25 years of experience in water resources engineering, she has developed expertise in stormwater management, capital planning, regulatory compliance, and hydrologic and hydraulic modeling. Jones is recognized for her collaborative leadership and ability to guide complex, multidisciplinary programs that enhance community resilience and protect water resources. Her work continues to advance sustainable infrastructure solutions that improve water quality and support the long-term needs of Georgia's growing communities.
STACEY KEY
Board Member - 5th Congressional District | GDOT
Key helps guide transportation policy and infrastructure investment for the state. A nationally recognized business leader, she is also president and chief executive officer of the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, advancing opportunities for minority-owned businesses and strengthening economic development throughout Georgia. With executive leadership experience at IBM, BellSouth, Samsung, and Schlumberger, Key brings a strategic business perspective to transportation governance. She also serves in leadership roles on numerous civic and business organizations, championing collaboration, innovation, and inclusive economic growth across Georgia.
KATIE KIRKPATRICK PE
President & CEO | Metro Atlanta Chamber Kirkpatrick leads one of the nation's largest regional business organizations representing companies, higher education institutions, and nonprofits across the 29-county metro Atlanta region. With more than 17 years at the Chamber, she has been instrumental in advancing public policy initiatives focused on economic competitiveness, infrastructure, workforce development, and regional growth. Before joining the Chamber, Kirkpatrick served as director of environmental engineering for Gold Kist, Inc., overseeing regulatory compliance and strategic planning. A licensed professional engineer, she is widely recognized for bringing technical expertise and collaborative leadership to Georgia's business and infrastructure priorities.
TRACY LEHMAN, PE, PTOE, RSP2I
NANCY JUNEAU
CEO | Juneau Construction Company
Juneau is co-founder of Juneau Construction Company, which she and her husband, Les, established in 1997 and have grown into one of the Southeast's premier commercial construction firms. Under her leadership, the company has expanded to nearly $700 million in annual revenue with a team of 270 employees serving clients across the region. Juneau has helped deliver landmark projects that have transformed communities, including the expansion and renovation of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Home at The Battery Atlanta, and numerous facilities for more than 30 higher education institutions.
KELI KEMP, AICP, PTP
Co-Founder | Modern Mobility Partners Kemp is Co-Founder and CEO of Modern Mobility Partners, a DBE transportation planning and traffic engineering firm in Atlanta, Georgia. She oversees the marketing and growth strategy for the company, as well as manages pioneering transportation planning projects. With almost 25 years of experience in transportation planning, Kemp brings thought leadership to the industry as co-host of the Modern Mobility Podcast, a ground-breaking transportation planning podcast that provides practical step-by-step solutions to modern-day transportation challenges.
Transportation Engineer | Kimley-Horn
Lehman is a nationally recognized transportation safety leader with more than 18 years of experience helping communities reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries through data-driven engineering solutions. She serves as project manager for the Georgia Department of Transportation's Regional Safety Design Services Region A On-Call contract, leading safety-focused initiatives across Georgia and throughout the United States. Her expertise spans transportation safety analysis, roadway design, policy implementation, and community engagement, bringing together technical excellence and collaborative problem-solving to improve mobility for all users.
DANA LEMON
Board Member - 13th congressional district | GDOT Lemon has helped guide transportation policy and infrastructure investment since 2003. The first woman elected to the Board and its longest-serving female member, Lemon has been a steadfast advocate for transportation innovation, program delivery, and expanding opportunities for disadvantaged and minority-owned businesses. Beyond her public service, she is president of W.D. Lemon & Sons Funeral Home, a longstanding family-owned business serving the Southern Crescent. An accomplished civic leader, Lemon has earned numerous honors for her leadership and community impact while continuing to strengthen Georgia's transportation network through collaborative service. N 2026 | Summer 39
JANNINE MILLER
Director of Planning for GDOT /Executive Director for SRTA | GDOT State Road and Tollway Authority
PAMELA LITTLE, PE, PMP, GPCP, F. SAME Principal, Vice President | Pond, an Enercon Company
Little provides strategic leadership for federal programs serving Department of Defense and civilian agency clients. With 25 years of experience managing engineering and construction projects ranging from less than $1 million to more than $500 million, she has built a reputation for delivering complex infrastructure solutions while driving operational excellence. A licensed professional engineer in Georgia and Florida, Little is an active leader within the Society of American Military Engineers, having served as Atlanta Post President and South Atlantic Regional Vice President.
D. FAYE LYONS-GARY
Miller serves as his appointee for Director of Planning at GDOT. With an illustrious career spanning various government and private sector roles, Miller has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Senior Advisor to Secretary Elaine Chao at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, and Director of the Center of Innovation for Logistics at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Prior to her government service, she was the Senior Manager of Supply Chain Finance at The Home Depot. Miller is a distinguished alumna, holding a Masters of Business Administration in Global Commerce from Georgia Tech and a Masters of Public Administration from Georgia State University.
Senior Manager, System Assurance Technical Lead AtkinsRealis
MELISSA MULLINAX
Lyons-Gary brings more than 30 years of experience in quality assurance, safety assurance, regulatory compliance, and system certification for major transportation and infrastructure programs. She has led quality and safety oversight for complex transit initiatives across the country, helping clients meet Federal Transit Administration requirements while delivering safe and reliable systems. Recognized for her expertise in system assurance and quality management, Lyons-Gary is a collaborative leader who has advanced continuous improvement initiatives and mentored multidisciplinary teams throughout her career.
Mullinax provides strategic leadership on major transportation initiatives and helps strengthen partnerships that advance critical infrastructure investments. With a career spanning public affairs, transit, and government leadership, she has played a key role in shaping projects that improve mobility and create lasting community impact. Before joining HNTB, Mullinax served as Chief of Staff at MARTA, leading external affairs initiatives, advancing innovative community programs, and supporting transformative capital investments.
Vice President, Business Development | HNTB
KARYN MATTHEWS, PE
ERIN MURPHY
Preconstruction Program Manager | Arcadis
Matthews leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for delivering the county's SPLOST transportation program. With more than 24 years of experience in the transportation industry, she has successfully managed numerous award-winning infrastructure projects that have enhanced mobility and quality of life throughout Cobb County. A licensed professional engineer and certified project manager, Matthews is an active leader within the profession, serving as President of the American Society of Highway Engineers Southeast Region. She is also engaged with the Leadership Cobb Alumni Association and the Cobb Chamber, supporting the continued growth of Georgia's transportation community.
KIM MENEFEE
Executive Director | Cumberland CID Menefee leads efforts to partner with commercial investors, government officials, and stakeholders to advance key transportation and infrastructure projects that enhance the Cumberland community and the region. She spearheads the growth of One Cumberland to bolster the work of the CID by broadening its reach, funding, and impact. Prior to joining the CID, Menefee served in senior leadership roles for WellStar Health System, Georgia’s largest not-for-profit health system, for 25 years.
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Environmental Services Lead- Southeast and Piedmont Atlantic Regions | VHB
Murphy leads the growth of VHB's environmental services practice across the firm's southern region, providing strategic direction for a multidisciplinary team of nearly 100 professionals. She oversees client relationships, quality, and business strategy while supporting the successful delivery of transportation, energy, and private development projects throughout the Southeast. Murphy is recognized for her collaborative leadership and commitment to delivering innovative environmental solutions for complex infrastructure initiatives. She is an active leader within ACEC Georgia's Georgia Partnership for Transportation Quality and was recognized by Engineering News-Record as one of the nation's Top 20 Under 40 professionals in 2021 for her leadership and industry impact.
KIMBERLY NESBITT
State Program Delivery Administrator | GDOT Nesbitt's office is responsible for over 1100 projects that accounts for three plus billion dollars in funding. She began her 25-year GDOT career as a civil engineering technologist in the Office of Traffic Operations and progressed to various project and personnel management roles in the offices of Consultant Design, Traffic Safety and Design, and Program Delivery. Nesbitt has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering technology from South Carolina State University. N
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JENNI OLIVO, PE
NICOLE PARRIS, PE
Principal, Associate Vice President, Stormwater Group Leader | Keck & Wood
Olivo leads the firm's growing stormwater practice and provides strategic direction for projects across Georgia. A licensed Professional Engineer in three states with nearly 30 years of industry experience, she has built a distinguished career in stormwater engineering and water resources. Since joining the firm, she has helped establish stormwater as a standalone service line while advancing innovative solutions for public-sector clients. Committed to leadership and professional growth, Jenni is a member of ACEC Georgia's Engineering Leadership Academy, continuing her dedication to strengthening Georgia's engineering profession.
IRIS ORTIZ
Senior Project Manager, Associate Vice President | HNTB
Parris supports transportation clients across Georgia, North Carolina, and the Great Lakes region. A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology with more than 27 years of industry experience, she has spent over two decades leading complex transportation programs that improve mobility for local governments and community improvement districts. Parris has been a trusted partner on numerous infrastructure initiatives throughout metro Atlanta, helping deliver projects that enhance safety and quality of life. She is an active leader within the profession, serving as Vice Chair of the ACEC Georgia Board of Directors and participating in the American Society of Highway Engineers.
HIRAL PATEL, PE
Ortiz brings more than 25 years of experience in transportation finance, planning, engineering, grant development, and project delivery. She has built a distinguished career helping clients advance complex infrastructure initiatives that strengthen mobility and economic development throughout Georgia. Beyond her project work, Ortiz is a dedicated advocate for developing future industry leaders.
HOLLY PAINTER, PE
Associate, Client Account Manager | KCI Technologies
Painter partners with state departments of transportation, community improvement districts, and municipalities across the Southeast to deliver multidisciplinary transportation solutions. With more than 21 years of experience in transportation design, client management, and business development, she is recognized as a collaborative leader within the engineering profession. Painter currently serves as Chair of ACEC Georgia and President of ITS Georgia while actively contributing to workforce development and procurement initiatives. Her leadership and industry impact have been recognized with numerous honors, including ENR Southeast's Top 20 Under 40 and the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers Young Engineer of the Year Award.
ERICA PARISH
Director | Paulding County DOT Parish leads the planning, delivery, and maintenance of one of Georgia's fastest-growing county transportation systems. A licensed professional engineer, she has guided major roadway, safety, and capital improvement initiatives while overseeing engineering, construction, traffic operations, and transportation planning. Throughout her tenure with Paulding County, Parish has played a key role in advancing high-profile infrastructure projects, managing consultant partnerships, and engaging the public through complex project development.
42 Engineering Georgia
Growth Lead for Local Roads in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Great Lakes | AtkinsRéalis
Division of P3 | GDOT
Patel leads the delivery of some of the state's most innovative transportation programs through public-private partnerships, designbuild, and other alternative project delivery methods. During more than 25 years with GDOT, she has served in key leadership roles including area engineer, senior project manager, assistant state program delivery administrator, and division director. Patel oversees initiatives that accelerate project delivery, enhance mobility, and leverage innovative financing and construction strategies. Her technical expertise and forward-thinking leadership continue to help shape the future of transportation infrastructure across Georgia.
AMBER PHILLIPS
State Environmental Administrator | GDOT
Phillips leads the Office of Environmental Services and oversees environmental compliance for transportation projects statewide. She provides strategic leadership for multidisciplinary teams responsible for environmental planning, permitting, ecology, cultural resources, public involvement, and interagency coordination, helping ensure that major infrastructure investments meet state and federal environmental requirements. Under her leadership, GDOT advances transportation projects that balance mobility needs with environmental stewardship and regulatory excellence. Phillips is widely respected for her collaborative approach, technical expertise, and commitment to delivering infrastructure that protects Georgia's natural resources while supporting the state's continued growth.
MEG PIRKLE, PE Chief Engineer | GDOT
Pirkle provides executive leadership for the department's engineering, construction, operations, intermodal, public-private partnerships, program delivery, and engineering services divisions. She oversees Georgia's approximately $4 billion statewide capital program, guiding the delivery of critical infrastructure that supports the state's continued growth. Since beginning her career with GDOT as an engineering trainee in 1989, Pirkle has held leadership roles spanning planning, preconstruction, and operations, giving her broad expertise in every phase of project delivery.
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ANN PURCELL
Board Member - 1st Congressional District | GDOT
ANNA ROACH
Executive Director & CEO | Atlanta Regional Commission
Purcell represents the 1st Congressional District, where she helps guide transportation policy and infrastructure investment across 17 counties in Southeast Georgia. A former Georgia state legislator, she is serving her third term on the Board and previously served as its chair from 2018 to 2019. Purcell currently chairs the Statewide Transportation Planning and Strategic Planning Committee and serves as vice chair of the Intermodal and Legislative committees while contributing to several other key committees. Her decades of public service and collaborative leadership have helped advance transportation planning, economic development, and regional connectivity throughout coastal and South Georgia.
Roach leads regional planning and investment initiatives that strengthen transportation, community development, workforce development, water resources, aging services, and public safety across metro Atlanta. As the agency's first female CEO, she oversees a $104 million operating budget while collaborating with local governments and regional partners to improve quality of life for millions of residents. A respected leader in regional policy and infrastructure, Roach serves on numerous national and state boards focused on transportation, innovation, and economic development. Her visionary leadership has earned recognition among Georgia's most influential business and civic leaders.
VICTORIA PUSTOTNIK, PE
JENNIFER A. ROACH, PE, CFM, F.ASCE
Pustotnik is a Vice President at WSP USA, where she leads the planning and delivery of transportation infrastructure projects throughout Georgia. With more than 18 years of experience in roadway design and project management, she has successfully delivered streetscapes, roadway widenings, intersection improvements, and other transportation projects for the Georgia Department of Transportation, counties, cities, and community improvement districts. A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, she began her career with GDOT's Office of Roadway Design. Tori is an active member of ASHE Georgia and WTS Atlanta and is a passionate advocate for STEM education, volunteering each year with ACEC Georgia's Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day.
Roach provides leadership for development services, floodplain management, site development permitting, surveying, and geographic information systems. A licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Floodplain Manager, she plays a key role in implementing the city's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and maintaining compliance with FEMA's Community Rating System, helping strengthen Savannah's resilience to flooding. Since joining the city in 2023, Roach has led initiatives to improve development review processes, enhance stormwater management, and foster regional collaboration. Her technical expertise and commitment to resilient infrastructure continue to benefit Georgia's coastal communities.
Vice President, Civil Engineering | WSP USA
Deputy City Engineer | City of Savannah
KELLY ROBERTS, PE, SE, LEED AP BD+C
MALIKA REED WILKINS, PHD
CEO & Executive Director | WTS International and WTS Foundation
Wilkins leads an organization of more than 10,000 members dedicated to advancing women in transportation across the United States and Canada. With more than 30 years of experience in public policy, nonprofit leadership, and strategic planning, she has held influential leadership roles with the Atlanta Regional Commission, the State Road and Tollway Authority, and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority. A recognized advocate for leadership development and transportation innovation, Dr. Wilkins continues to champion workforce advancement, industry collaboration, and the future of mobility through her national leadership.
SALLY RIKER, F.SAME
Vice President, Strategy & Growth | Atlas Riker leads strategic initiatives that support business growth and strengthen client partnerships across the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. With more than 27 years of experience, she is a respected leader known for advancing collaboration, innovation, and industry engagement. Riker served as 2024 Chair of the Council for Quality Growth and holds leadership roles with the Society of American Military Engineers, the Urban Land Institute, and the University of Georgia Board of Visitors.
Regional Director, Senior Principal | Walter P Moore
Roberts is a recognized leader in structural engineering and sustainable design, she specializes in life cycle assessment, low-carbon structural solutions, and the innovative use of salvaged materials. Roberts has led the structural design of numerous award-winning healthcare, commercial, and corporate developments while advancing sustainability throughout the profession through research, publications, speaking engagements, and professional service. One of the firm's youngest principals, she continues to help shape the future of resilient, high-performance building design through technical excellence and industry leadership.
AMANDA ROSTIN, PE
Vice President | Lead Edge Design Group Rostin a licensed Professional Engineer and graduate of the University of Georgia, she specializes in airport planning, design, engineering, and construction management. During her eight years with the firm, Amanda has led more than 250 airport planning, design, and construction projects, delivering over $100 million in airfield and terminal improvements throughout the state. Known for her collaborative approach, she works closely with airport sponsors and local communities to develop innovative, customized solutions that enhance safety, operational efficiency, and long-term economic growth. N
2026 | Summer 43
BETH ANN SCHWARTZ, PE
ALISHA SMITH
Senior Associate and Technical Manager | Michael Baker International
Schwartz is a transportation leader with more than 30 years of experience delivering some of Georgia's most significant and complex infrastructure projects. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her collaborative leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to advancing projects that improve mobility while serving the needs of clients and communities. Beyond project delivery, Schwartz is an active leader within the engineering profession through her involvement with WTS Atlanta, ACEC Georgia, and the American Society of Highway Engineers. She is a dedicated mentor and advocate for developing future industry leaders, leaving a lasting impact on Georgia's transportation community.
KATE SHEARIN, PE, PMP
Director of Projects and Planning | Town Center CID
Smith is Director of Projects and Planning for the Town Center Community Improvement District, where she leads strategic infrastructure and placemaking initiatives that enhance mobility, connectivity, and quality of life. With more than 27 years of experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, she oversees a diverse portfolio of transportation, infrastructure, parks, trails, and planning projects that support long-term community growth. Smith works closely with local, regional, and federal partners to advance transformative investments while fostering collaboration among public and private stakeholders. Her thoughtful leadership continues to shape sustainable, vibrant communities throughout metro Atlanta.
ANGELA SNYDER, PE
Senior Project Manager | KCI Technologies Shearin has more than 15 years of experience in traffic signal operations, intelligent transportation systems, and transportation engineering. She provides technical leadership for Traffic and ITS programs, overseeing project delivery and serving as a trusted expert in signal design and operations. Before joining KCI, Shearin served with the Georgia Department of Transportation, including as State Signal Engineer, where she led the development of the department's SigOps program and managed the statewide deployment of traffic signal software across approximately 6,000 intersections. Her leadership continues to advance safer, smarter, and more efficient transportation systems throughout Georgia.
President | Practical Design Partners Snyder is owner and co-founder of Practical Design Partners, a metro Atlanta-based transportation engineering firm she helped establish to deliver innovative, client-focused infrastructure solutions throughout Georgia. In addition to leading the firm's growth, she is a passionate advocate for STEM education and workforce development, inspiring students to explore careers in engineering and the built environment. Snyder serves as chair of the ACEC Georgia K–12 STEM Workforce Task Force, helping expand opportunities for the next generation of engineers. She is also a member of the ACEC Georgia Board of Directors and is actively involved in community service through her church and other local organizations.
REBECCA SHELTON
KRYSTAL STOVALL DIXON
Director | Gwinnett County, Department of Water Resources
Shelton leads a large metro Atlanta water, wastewater, and stormwater utility with a $400 million per year budget serving over one million residents. While more than half of her career has been spent at Gwinnett Water Resources, her experience also includes public works at the City of Alpharetta and sewer evaluation and rehabilitation at the City of Atlanta. She is active in her community, volunteering with Rotary, local food banks, her church, and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). She is an active member of ASCE’s Committee for America’s Infrastructure, a two-time Past-President of the Rotary Club of Buford/North Gwinnett, and current Region 5 Governor for ASCE.
MORGAN SIMMONS-GIBSON, AICP
Deputy Director, Intermodal Services | Cobb County DOT
Senior Project Manager | Arcadis U.S.
Dixon is a Senior Project Manager at Arcadis with extensive experience leading complex transportation programs in both the public and private sectors. During more than a decade with the Georgia Department of Transportation, she advanced through a series of leadership roles, culminating as Assistant State Program Delivery Administrator, where she oversaw statewide transportation initiatives and led district program managers. Dixon is recognized for her expertise in program management, stakeholder coordination, and multidisciplinary project delivery. Her collaborative leadership, technical knowledge, and commitment to public service continue to support the successful delivery of transportation infrastructure that benefits communities across Georgia.
Simmons-Gibson has more than a decade of experience in public transportation, she has helped advance multimodal mobility through leadership roles with transit agencies in Georgia and North Carolina. Before joining Cobb County, Simmons-Gibson managed major capital and planning initiatives as part of MARTA's Planning and Project Development team, supporting transportation improvements across southwest and south metro Atlanta. 44 Engineering Georgia
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TRACY STYF
Executive Director | Town Center CID
Styf is Executive Director of the Town Center Community Improvement District, where she leads strategic investments that enhance transportation, economic development, and quality of life in one of metro Atlanta's fastestgrowing corridors. With more than 25 years of leadership experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, she has secured more than $130 million in grant funding and oversees major infrastructure initiatives that improve mobility, public spaces, and regional connectivity. Styf is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership and vision for community development. She also serves on numerous civic and business boards, helping advance economic growth and strengthen communities throughout the region.
SUSAN THOMAS, AICP
Vice President | Edwards-Pitman Environmental Thomas is Vice President of EdwardsPitman Environmental, where she provides strategic leadership for a team of more than 130 environmental professionals supporting transportation projects across the Southeast. She has played a key role in advancing the firm's operational excellence and reputation as a leader in environmental consulting for complex infrastructure initiatives. In addition to her leadership responsibilities at Edwards-Pitman, Thomas supports operational strategy across its parent company, Braun Intertec Corporation. An active member of the Georgia Partnership for Transportation Quality and a certified planner, she continues to help advance environmental stewardship and transportation planning throughout Georgia.
RHONDA TILT
NEPA Group Leader | Arcadis U.S.
Tilt is NEPA Department Manager for Arcadis' Atlanta office, where she leads a multidisciplinary team of environmental professionals delivering complex transportation projects throughout Georgia and the Southeast. With more than 20 years of experience in environmental planning and compliance, she has guided hundreds of projects through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, helping balance critical transportation improvements with the protection of natural and cultural resources. Known for her collaborative leadership and technical expertise, Tilt is committed to mentoring the next generation of environmental professionals while advancing sustainable infrastructure solutions that benefit communities across Georgia. N
2026 | Summer 45
AMANDA VON OLDENBURG
ANGELA WHITWORTH
Program & Project Manager | AtkinsRéalis
Treasurer | GDOT
Von Oldenburg is a Program and Project Manager at AtkinsRéalis, where she provides strategic leadership for complex transportation projects throughout Georgia. With extensive expertise in NEPA and environmental compliance, she is recognized for aligning multidisciplinary teams, navigating regulatory challenges, and delivering successful project outcomes. Throughout her career, von Oldenburg has served in key leadership roles including Environmental Services Lead, Program Manager, Key Account Manager, and GDOT Office of Environmental Services NEPA Team Lead. Known for her collaborative leadership and technical excellence, she helps advance innovative transportation solutions while fostering strong client relationships and mentoring high-performing project teams.
Whitworth serves as Treasurer for the Georgia Department of Transportation, where she oversees the administration and management of the department's $4.7 billion annual budget. With 35 years of accounting and finance experience in both the public and private sectors, including more than 29 years of service to the State of Georgia, she has held key leadership roles in budgeting, financial management, and accounting throughout GDOT. Whitworth also previously served with the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Legislative Budget Office. A respected leader in transportation finance, she serves on the Transportation Research Board's Economics, Finance and Investment Strategy Committee and is Treasurer of SASHTO.
CHARLOTTE WEBER
CATHY WILLIAMS
Weber is Vice President of Environmental Planning at Lumenor Consulting Group, where she leads environmental planning, cultural resources, and community planning services for transportation and infrastructure projects throughout Georgia and the Southeast. With more than two decades of experience, she specializes in NEPA compliance, historic preservation, transportation planning, and public engagement, helping clients successfully navigate complex environmental and regulatory requirements. Before joining Lumenor, Weber held leadership roles with national engineering firms, guiding multidisciplinary teams on major infrastructure initiatives. A respected industry leader, she is committed to advancing collaborative planning, workforce development, and sustainable transportation solutions that strengthen communities across the region.
Williams is a member of the Georgia Department of Transportation State Transportation Board, representing the 2nd Congressional District, where she helps guide transportation policy and infrastructure investment across southwest Georgia. Elected in 2023, she serves as chair of the Property Utilization Committee and vice chair of the Equal Access Committee, while contributing to the Board's efforts to improve mobility and economic development throughout the state. Before joining the Board, Williams served as President and CEO of NeighborWorks Columbus and as a member of the Muscogee County School District Board. Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to community development, equitable transportation planning, and regional connectivity.
Director of Environmental Services | Lumenor Consulting Group
Board Member | GDOT
CAROLINE WHALEY
Executive Director | Gateway Marietta CID
Whaley is Executive Director of the Gateway Marietta Community Improvement District, where she leads strategic initiatives that advance infrastructure investment, economic development, and community revitalization along the Franklin Gateway Corridor. With more than 20 years of experience in economic development, land use planning, public-private partnerships, and nonprofit leadership, she has championed projects focused on transportation, safety, beautification, and quality of life. Whaley also serves as Managing Partner of Strategic Community Partners, advising organizations on community improvement district formation, economic development, and government relations. A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, she continues to help shape thriving, connected communities across Georgia.
46 Engineering Georgia
KIMBERLY WILLIAMS
Transportation Management Center Manager | GDOT
Williams is Transportation Management Center Manager for the Georgia Department of Transportation, where she leads statewide traffic operations, incident response coordination, and real-time mobility strategies. With 19 years of experience in traffic engineering, transportation planning, and intelligent transportation systems, she has built a career focused on improving the safety, reliability, and efficiency of Georgia's roadway network. Williams has extensive experience managing complex transportation operations, traffic signal programs, and multidisciplinary partnerships with public agencies and emergency responders. Known for her collaborative leadership and data-driven approach, she continues to advance innovative operational strategies that enhance the daily travel experience for millions of Georgians. N
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2026 | Summer 47
LISA WILLIS, PE
BING ZHANG, PE, PTOE
Assistant Director | Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources
Willis is Assistant Director of the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, where she provides executive leadership for engineering, capital delivery, construction, and technical services that support one of Georgia's largest water and wastewater utilities. With more than 35 years of engineering experience, she works collaboratively with municipalities, neighboring counties, and multiple county departments to deliver reliable, sustainable water infrastructure. Before joining Gwinnett County, Willis built a distinguished career as a consulting engineer specializing in water and wastewater planning, design, and construction. A graduate of Duke University, she is committed to delivering exceptional water services that support the county's continued growth and quality of life.
KRISTIN WINZELER
Executive Director | True North 400 CID Winzeler is Executive Director of True North 400, where she leads strategic initiatives that advance transportation infrastructure, economic development, and community investment along the Georgia 400 corridor. Having risen through the organization since joining in 2012, she spearheaded the successful rebranding of the North Fulton Community Improvement District as True North 400 in 2023. Winzeler is a recognized regional leader, serving on the boards of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, the Council for Quality Growth, and the Georgia Transportation Alliance. A past president of WTS Atlanta, she is committed to advancing transportation leadership, regional collaboration, and the next generation of industry professionals.
Transportation Engineer | Kimley-Horn and Associates
Zhang is a transportation and traffic engineer recognized for her expertise in traffic operations, signal optimization, and data-driven mobility solutions. She leads transportation projects from planning and design through implementation, delivering context-sensitive solutions for urban, suburban, and rural communities across Georgia. As project manager for the Georgia Department of Transportation's SigOps Southwest program, Zhang has helped advance innovative signal operations using emerging data technologies to improve safety and traffic flow. A passionate mentor and educator, she regularly provides technical training for transportation professionals. Zhang currently serves as President of Georgia ITE and is an active member of the ACEC Georgia GPTQ Traffic Subcommittee.
KATHERINE ZITSCH, PE, BCEE
Water Policy Expert | Georgia Water Planning & Policy Center Zitsch has more than 25 years of experience advancing sustainable water policy and long-term resource planning. She works with the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center to develop forward-looking strategies that support Georgia's water future and economic growth. Zitsch brings together leaders from government, industry, academia, and nonprofit organizations to address complex challenges involving water, energy, agriculture, and forestry.
EMILEE WOODS, PE
Owner and Principal Engineer | Athena Engineering
Woods is Founder and Managing Partner of Athena Engineering, a woman-owned, DBE-certified transportation engineering firm she launched in 2024. Under her leadership, the metro Atlanta-based firm has experienced rapid growth, expanding from a single employee to a thriving multidisciplinary team while securing its first prime contract in less than two years. A graduate of Auburn University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, Woods brings expertise in both traditional and alternative project delivery. Recognized as an ENR National Top 20 Under 40 honoree and a Roads & Bridges Top 25 Under 40, she is helping redefine the future of locally owned engineering firms in Georgia. A
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2026 | Summer 49
35 UNDER 35
WOMEN TO KNOW in Georgia Engineering
These Women are Quickly Becoming Innovators, Influencers, and Experts in Their Fields
3 Engineering Georgia’s 2026 list of 35 Under 35 Women to Know recognizes professionals whose talent, initiative and commitment are helping move the industry forward. Their paths and areas of expertise may differ, but each represents the knowledge, creativity and sense of purpose that will define the profession’s next chapter. Together, they offer an encouraging view of what lies ahead for engineering in Georgia.
COMPILED & EDITED BY BRETT HILLESHEIM
50 Engineering Georgia
T
The future of Georgia engineering is already taking shape in the work of a new generation. Across firms, public agencies, classrooms and communities, emerging women leaders are managing complex projects, embracing new technologies and bringing fresh perspectives to the challenges facing a rapidly growing state. They are not waiting for permission to lead; they are earning trust, building strong teams and making a meaningful impact early in their careers.
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1. KELSEY BALDWIN, PE Federal Southeast Design Operations Lead | Jacobs
2. ALEXA BANKE
Environmental Planner | Pond & Company
3. DEANA BROOKS, PE, M. ASCE
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Senior Transportation Engineer Chatham County Dept. of Engineering
4. ABIGAIL BURKS, PE
Project Manager | Athena Engineering
5. CAITLIN BURWINKEL, PLA Savannah Landscape Architecture Group Leader Thomas & Hutton
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6. HALEY CARMACK
Director of Human Resources | 2MNEXT
7. KYRA COOK, PE
Civil Roadway Engineer | Kimley-Horn
8. MARCI EARLY, EIT
Project Engineer (Traffic Operations) | HNTB
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9. CHANDLER FINCHER Client Services Manager | Southeastern Engineering, Inc (SEI)
10. NATALIE GLAZER
NEPA Environmental Planner / Environmental Project Manager Edwards-Pittman
11. ALLISON HARTNEY, EIT Project Administration Discipline Manager | Aulick Engineering
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12. VALERIA HERNANDEZ, PE Water Resources Engineer IV | Pond & Company
13. MARTIKA JOHANSON-MURRAY Systems Engineer | Kapsch
14. BILLUR KAZAZ, PHD, PE, CPESC Engineer, South Gulf Operations | Geosyntec Consultants
15. LAUREN KILGORE
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Civil Roadway Analyst | Kimley-Horn
16. KAITLYN KOLBO, PE Project Engineer | HNTB
17. ELIZABETH LACEY Civil Associate - Bridge | Michael Baker International
18. KORI LATINO, PE Project Manager | Parsons Transportation Group N
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35 19. PATRICIA MAXFIELD, P.E.
Project Engineer | NOVA Enigneering and Environmental
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20. SHAMBHAVI MISHRA, PE Bridge Engineer | Neel-Schaffer
21. ANNA OLTMANN, PE
Senior Transportation Engineer | TTL
22. LAURA OUDERKIRK, PE Civil Engineer | Burns & McDonnell
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23. HANNAH PRATER, PE
Georgia H&H Manager | Neel-Schaffer, Inc.
24. ANNA SCHEINBACH, PE, RSP1 Transportation Engineer | VHB
25. DANIELLE SCHWANKE
Water Resources Engineer | RK&K
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26. LEIGH SEXTON, PE
GA-AL Water Business Group Manager | HDR
27. ELIZABETH SHIN, PE
Project Engineer II | Toole Design
28. ERIKA SUTTON, PE
Transportation Designer | VHB
29. MADISON TEAGUE
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Aviation Project Manager | Croy
30. KARRI THOMAS, P.E.
Pre-Construction Manager | Jacobs
31. MOLLY TURNER, PE Project Manager | Benesch
32. SARAH UGOLIK, PE
Transportation Project Manager | Moffatt & Nichol
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33. ELIZABETH VAN PELT Project Manager | HNTB
34. KATIE WEST
Project Manager II | AtkinsRealis
35. JENNIFER YOUNG, PE, M.ASCE Project Manager | Dewberry A
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2026 | Summer 53
54 Engineering Georgia
DARREN MICKLER PELS Boards Executive Director www.sos.ga.gov
GEORGIA PELS BOARD UPDATE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS The Georgia Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Board licenses and regulates professional engineers, structural engineers, land surveyors, and engineering and surveying firms operating in the state. The Board reviews applications, establishes licensure standards, adopts rules of professional conduct, and investigates allegations of unlicensed, negligent, unethical or incompetent practice. To help applicants and licensees navigate common requirements, the Board maintains a Frequently Asked Questions (https://pels.georgia.gov/frequently-askedquestions/) page covering licensing, business entities, address changes, complaints and other administrative matters.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How do I apply for a license, update my address or file a complaint? Applications, address changes and complaints are submitted through the Board’s online licensing portal. Licensees must notify the Board within 30 days of an address change and are responsible for keeping both their mailing and email addresses current. How long does it take to receive a licensing decision? Once all required application documents have been received, applicants can generally expect a response within seven days. Processing may be faster for applicants with an NCEES Record.
Does my engineering or surveying firm need a license? Firms and other business entities that practice or offer professional engineering or land-surveying services in Georgia must receive a firm license from the Board before providing those services. This requirement also applies to branch offices of out-of-state firms operating in Georgia. Sole proprietorships are exempt. Firm licenses expire June 30 of even-numbered years unless renewed. How long does the complaint process take? Investigations may take several months because of their technical nature and the circumstances of each complaint. A case may require review by a Board member, investigator, peer reviewer or the Georgia Attorney General’s Office before the Board reaches a decision. Where can I check an application or license status? The Board’s Licensing Services page allows users to apply or renew, check an application’s status, search for a license, file a complaint and access information for business entities. Licensees and applicants should visit pels.georgia.gov for current laws, Board rules, licensing guidance, continuing-education requirements and official notices.
UPCOMING EVENTS AUGUST 21–23
ANITA ATKINSON, P.E., F.ASCE Patterson & Dewar Engineers, Inc. ASCE Georgia President www.ascega.org
ASCE GEORGIA SECTION UPDATE The Georgia Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers supports and promotes civil engineers throughout the state through professional development, networking, technical education, student outreach and public engagement. The Section also works to advance public understanding of civil engineering and provides members with opportunities to serve the profession and their communities. Members can participate through four regional branches—Northeast Georgia, South Metro, South Georgia and Savannah— as well as technical institutes focused on environmental and water resources, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering and construction. ASCE Georgia also supports a Younger Member Group for engineers age 35 and younger, university student chapters, volunteer initiatives and K–12 outreach programs. Monthly Section meetings are currently on summer break and are scheduled to resume in September. Members can visit ascega. org for meeting announcements, technicalinstitute programs, volunteer opportunities and information about joining a committee or local branch.
Younger Member Leadership Symposium and Alumni Summit: ASCE’s national leadership-development program for members age 35 and younger will be held in Reston, Virginia.
AUGUST 29 | 6–9 P.M. ASCE Georgia Annual Awards Celebration: The Georgia Section will recognize outstanding members and projects at City Winery Atlanta at Ponce City Market. Cocktails and networking will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards presentation from 7:30–9 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 1–29 ASCE Seminar Week 2026: ASCE will offer a month of in-person and livestreamed professional-development seminars with opportunities to earn PDHs and CEUs. Additional fall meetings and programs will be announced through the ASCE Georgia website and Section communications.
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2026 | Summer 57
LINDSEY DUNNAHOO AECOM ASHE Georgia President www.georgia.ashe.pro
RECAP OF 2026 ASHE NATIONAL CONFERENCE The 2026 ASHE National Conference in Washington, D.C. brought together transportation professionals from across the country for a memorable week of technical sessions, networking, and social events in our nation’s capital. A highlight of the conference was the recognition of James Nguyen as the recipient of the ASHE Young Member of the Year Award, honoring his dedication to ASHE and contributions to the transportation industry. Congratulations to James on this well-deserved achievement. ASHE Georgia also extends its appreciation to the Potomac and Chesapeake Sections for their outstanding hospitality and for hosting a fun and engaging conference experience.
ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT RECAP ASHE Georgia’s Annual Golf Tournament was a tremendous success, with participants enjoying a picture-perfect day on the course filled with friendly competition, networking, and camaraderie. The event brought together industry professionals from across Georgia and served as another great opportunity to strengthen connections within our transportation community. This event would not have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers and the generous support of our sponsors. Their contributions helped create an outstanding experience for all attendees, and we are grateful for their continued partnership.
UPCOMING EVENTS October 6th
RECAP OF JUNE LUNCHEON & NEW OFFICERS ASHE Georgia hosted its June Luncheon on June 26 at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Buckhead, featuring a presentation by Ian Rish of GDOT’s Office of Materials and Testing (OMAT) on updates to GDOT pavement design practices. Attendees enjoyed a valuable opportunity for professional development, networking, and fellowship. The luncheon also included the induction of ASHE Georgia’s 2026–2027 Section Officers, who will help lead the Section’s programs and initiatives in the coming year. Congratulations to our newly inducted officers, and thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event a success.
2026 OFFICERS:
Jennifer Lott, PE, President James Nguyen, PE, 1st Vice President Pervez Iqbal, PE, PfMP, 2nd Vice President Ravi Vachhani, P.E., Treasurer Tim O’Hara, P.E., Co-Treasurer Jenny Lee, Secretary Jibon Deb, PE, Co-Secretary Lindsey Dunnahoo, PE, Immediate Past President Ben Kauss, Director Year 1 Tori Brinkley Pustotnik, P.E., Director Year 2 Dipan Shah, P.E., Director Year 3
2026 ASHE SE Region Conference 58 Engineering Georgia
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MIHYEON [CHRISTY] JEON, PH.D., PE, PTOE, AICP, ENV SP AtkinsRéalis Georgia Section ITE President www.gaite.org
ITE GEORGIA SECTION UPDATE The Georgia Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers provides professional-development and networking opportunities for transportation engineers, planners, consultants, educators, researchers, technologists and students across the state. Affiliated with the ITE Southern District, the Section supports transportation professionals through technical programs, annual conferences, luncheons, leadership development and connections with university student chapters. ITE Georgia’s programs include the annual Summer Seminar, the ITE/ASHE Transportation Winter Workshop, a mentorship program, a leadership program, STEAM Camp, technical tours and activities organized by its Young Members Committee. The Section also provides scholarships, professional awards, technical presentations, employment resources and opportunities to serve through its committees. Members and transportation professionals can visit gaite.org to view announcements, register for programs, join the mailing list or learn more about membership and volunteer opportunities.
UPCOMING EVENTS October 8 — Civil Pickleball Social: ITE Georgia will hold its second annual pickleball social beginning at 5 p.m. Additional details will be announced. Additional programs and registration information will be posted at gaite.org.
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2026 | Summer 59
ANDREW FARMER, PE Gresham Smith GEF Secretary andrew.farmer@greshamsmith.com www.gefinc.org
GEORGIA ENGINEERING FOUNDATION UPDATE The Georgia Engineering Foundation supports the education and development of future engineers through scholarships, academic partnerships and STEM-related programs across the state. Founded in 1971, GEF brings together engineering societies, industry organizations, firms and individual donors to operate one of the largest pools of engineering scholarships in the Southeast. In 2024 and 2025, GEF awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships each year on behalf of its member firms, organizations, endowments and donors. In 2026, the Foundation will award $135,000 to outstanding engineering students from across Georgia. Scholarships are competitively awarded based on academic achievement, interest in an engineering career, financial need, and school and community involvement. GEF congratulates its previous scholarship recipients and thanks the sponsors, donors and board volunteers whose continued support makes the program possible. Industry organizations and individuals can also support the Foundation by sponsoring scholarships, making tax-deductible donations or volunteering to review applications, interview candidates, assist with fundraising or serve on a committee.
UPCOMING DATES SEPTEMBER 15 2027 Scholarship Application Window Opens: Eligible engineering and engineering technology students may begin submitting applications for the 2027 scholarship program.
NOVEMBER 14 Application Window Closes: All 2027 scholarship applications must be submitted by the deadline.
NOVEMBER Annual Scholarship Banquet: GEF’s annual banquet brings together scholarship recipients, donors, volunteers and engineering-industry representatives to recognize the year’s scholarship class. Additional event details will be announced by the Foundation. Visit gefinc.org for scholarship information, eligibility requirements, volunteer opportunities and ways to support Georgia’s future engineers. 60 Engineering Georgia
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KALEB POSEY, PE GSPE President www.gspe.org
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT My motivation behind becoming a PE is my father. He inspired me by obtaining his Electrical
Engineering
Technology
degree and laid the foundation for my interest in electrical engineering by showing me PCBs that he worked on at Lucent Technologies. The most challenging part of the journey was the preparation. There were a lot of sleepless nights and early mornings that required
self-discipline
and
motivation to stay on track with my studies. My first few years as a PE have been filled with a lot of learning. You might think that once you obtain this level of certification that learning slows down, but for me it has ramped Kaleb Posey
up even more. Obtaining my PE has opened doors for professional growth as I was promoted to Sr. Electrical Engineer at Schneider Electric shortly after passing. I have taken on more technical leadership roles to
coordinate designs within my group in my role as an engineer of record. My short-term goal is to build up my engineering firm, Posey Power Inc. I am very passionate about sustainability so learning more about microgrids is also on my radar. My advice for aspiring engineers considering the PE path would be to investigate the impact of what a PE does, particularly in the construction industry.
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! Facebook.com/gspeorg
Linkedin.com/company/Georgia-society-of-professional-engineers
www.youtube.com/GSPEng
TO LEARN MORE VISIT GSPE.ORG | TO JOIN VISIT NSPE.ORG/MEMBERSHIP/JOIN-NOW association [ news ]
2026 | Summer 61
UPCOMING EVENTS Monthly Meeting, August 26 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm itsga.org/event/august-2026-monthly-meeting Monthly Meeting, September 23 @ 11:30am 1:00 pm itsga.org/event/september-2026-monthly-meeting
MATT GLASSER, PE Arcadis ITS Georgia President president@itsga.org www.itsga.org
Since starting her career at the Georgia Department of Transportation, Merri has been actively involved in ITSGA. She started off attending meetings, getting to know others in the industry, and building her professional network. After seeing how valuable being a member of ITSGA was, Merri was ready to take on a more intensive role in the organization. Given the opportunity in fall of 2025, Merri joined the ITSGA board. She now lends a hand in the Programs Committee, which includes selecting speakers, scheduling meetings, coordinating food vendors, and registration.
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT MERRI MINSHEW Georgia Department of Transportation Merri Minshew works for the Georgia Department of Transportation as a Signal Maintenance Engineer in the Signal Operation's Maintenance group. Her primary responsibilities include managing the statewide Cyberlock deployment program and handling all metro Alanta region's equipment orders and on-call-requests. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering from Georgia Southern University in Spring of 2024. Merri currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys trying new restaurants and traveling in her free time.
Merri is excited to see significant change in the industry over the next few years of her career. She knows that AI has significant capabilities and is interested to see how it impacts our industry.
Since graduating in 2024, Merri has been exploring all that Atlanta has to offer. She makes a point to try a couple new restaurants every month, attend sporting events, and stroll through numerous farmer's markets on the weekend. Merri also likes to travel around the tri-state area visiting friends and family.
62 Engineering Georgia
ABOUT ITSGA The Intelligent Transportation Society of Georgia (ITSGA) brings together engineers, planners, operators, and technology partners who share a common goal: using technology and collaboration to make transportation safer, more efficient, and more reliable. Whether you work daily in ITS or are simply interested in how technology is influencing transportation operations, ITSGA offers a welcoming community to learn, connect, and get involved.
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Outstanding Project Award: Cataloochee Ranch (Stability Engineering) Merit Award: AC Auburn Hotel (Stability Engineering)
NEW BUILDINGS $25M-$100M: Outstanding Project Award: Thomas A. Fanning Student Athlete Performance Center (Walter P. Moore) Merit Award: KSU - Interdisciplinary STEM Building (Uzun+Case)
NEW BUILDINGS OVER $100M: Outstanding Project Award: Georgia Legislative Office Building (Uzun+Case) Merit Award: Georgia Tech - Tech Square Phase IIIA (Uzun+Case)
FORENSIC/RENOVATION/RETROFIT/REHABILITATION STRUCTURES: Outstanding Project Award: GSU - National Institute for Student Success (Uzun+Case) Merit Award: The District at Beechwood Retail Center (Stability Engineering)
CHRIS LYTLE
OTHER STRUCTURES AND SERVICES:
Uzun & Case Engineers, LLC SEAOG President www.seaog.org
Outstanding Project Award: Assembly Studios LED Tower (PES Structural Engineers)
INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS:
SEAOG ELECTS NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEAOG members recently elected a new board of directors, who will serve beginning on July 1, 2026. Congratulations to our newly elected board members, and we look forward to your continued service to our profession! President: Stephen Richards, PE, SE (Uzun+Case) Past President: Jeff Milheizler, PE, SE (Uzun+Case) Vice President: Chris Murphy, PE (Stability Engineering) Treasurer: Kyle Manweiler, PE, SE (Walter P. Moore) Secretary: Morgan Neal, PE (Shear Structural) Director: John McFarland, PE (Nucor | Vulcraft) Director: Justin Sampson, PE, SE (Sykes Consulting, Inc.) Director: Shayah Smiley, PE, SE (Smiley Structural Engineering)
CALL FOR RENEWALS SEAOG begins a new membership year on July 1st and membership renewals are now open! Visit our website at seaog.org to register, or contact Treasurer@seaog.org to arrange for a bulk company renewal.
2026 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AWARDS Congratulations to all the award recipients, project teams, and nominees recognized at the 2026 Structural Engineering Excellence (SEE) Awards Banquet! Held at City Springs, this year's ceremony was a well-attended event and memorable evening of celebration, recognition, and networking for SEAOG members and guests. The program honored exceptional projects across multiple award categories and recognized several individuals for their outstanding achievement. The banquet also served as a chance to acknowledge the sponsors, jury members, committee volunteers, and others whose efforts helped make the evening such a success. Most importantly, it was an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable talent, innovation, and dedication within Georgia's structural engineering community. See below for a complete list of award winners. Thanks to all of our sponsors and attendees for making it a great event, and thank you to all the submitting firms for letting us share and honor these amazing projects!
Young Engineer of the Year: Jonathon Campbell (Uzun+Case) Engineer of the Year: Chris Murphy, PE (Stability Engineering) Lifetime Achievement Award: Wayne W. Walker, PE, SE, FACI (Structural Services, Inc.)
BOAG CONFERENCE Members of SEAOG’s Board of Directors and Publicity Committee recently attended the Building Officials Association of Georgia (BOAG) conference, where they delivered a presentation on the structural design provisions and updates in the 2024 International Building Code (IBC) as adopted in Georgia. In addition to covering relevant structural updates for the newly implemented IBC 2024, including rain loads and flood loads, the presentation included substantive discussion around third-party special inspections and implementation documentation. There was great engagement with some of our counterparts in the various AHJ’s around the state and a collaborative environment to help improve structural engineering, permitting, and inspections across Georgia. SEAOG extends its appreciation to the presenters for sharing their expertise and to BOAG for hosting this valuable event. The North American Steel Construction Conference (NASCC) was hosted in Atlanta this year, and SEAOG was excited to partner with the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) to promote the event and provide programming. To tee-off the week of events for the steel conference, SEAOG hosted a pre-conference evening social at Five-Iron Golf. Special thanks to Vulcraft/Nucor for sponsoring this event, where members and friends enjoyed great conversations, food, and a fun night of virtual golf and other games! Then, each morning at the Georgia World Congress Center where the steel conference drew record turnout, SEAOG hosted a pre-conference networking breakfast and raffle for its members with 50+ code and reference material giveaways! Thank you to AISC for your partnership, and we look forward to continuing the partnership for future conferences!
NEW BUILDINGS UNDER $25M: association [ news ]
2026 | Summer 63
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IRIS ORTIZ WTS Atlanta President iortiz@hntb.com www.wtsinternational.org/atlanta
As we move into the second half of 2026 (time flies!), I’m proud to reflect on the incredible energy and engagement our chapter demonstrated at the 2026 WTS International Annual Conference in Los Angeles this past May. It was truly inspiring to see such strong representation from WTS Atlanta. Our Board and members showed up in full force—participating as speakers, panelists, and attendees. The conference provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with transportation leaders from across the country, exchange ideas, and bring back innovative perspectives to strengthen our work here in Atlanta. Locally, our chapter continues to create meaningful opportunities for connection and professional growth. The 2026 Mentor-Protégé Program kicked off in April, bringing together mentor-protégé pairs who will engage in monthly group events (in-person and virtually) and one-on-one interactions over the next seven months. Through these experiences, participants will build valuable relationships and lasting professional connections. In June, we hosted a members-only networking event in Midtown Atlanta. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, exchange perspectives on emerging trends shaping the transportation industry, and strengthen the relationships that make our professional community so valuable. As always, I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and continuing the important work we do together. Stay tuned for our late summer and fall programming, including our Annual Scholarship and Awards Luncheon on November 6. We hope to see you there!
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2026 | Summer 65
A LOOK BACK CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAINT SIMONS ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE With construction starting in 1868, the Saint Simons Island Lighthouse was completed by 1872. The Lighthouse is 104 feet tall and constructed of Savannah grey brick. It is 21 feet in diameter at the base, tapering to 10 foot in diameter at the base of the gallery. Its spiral cast iron staircase is encased within an 8 foot wide column, leaving space between the exterior and interior brick walls for the original rotational weight system of the lens. The decorative iron brackets supporting the Lighthouse gallery at the top echo the elements of Italianate architecture in the Keeper’s Dwelling design.
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