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State Transportation Board elects new executive leadership
State Transportation Board leadership
New State Transportation Board leadership was elected at the monthly board meeting held Aug. 15 at the Georgia Department of Transportation's general office in downtown Atlanta. Pictured from left are Dennis McEntire, who represents Georgia's 3rd Congressional District, secretary; Ann R. Purcell, representing Georgia's 1st Congressional District, chairwoman; Jamie Boswell, the representative of Georgia's 10th Congressional District, vice chairman; and Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. (Submitted photo.)

Special to the Herald

ATLANTA – The State Transportation Board (STB) of Georgia elected its new executive leadership team at its monthly board meeting Aug. 15 held at Georgia DOT headquarters in Atlanta. Ann R. Purcell was named chairwoman; Jamie Boswell was named vice chairman; and Dennis McEntire was named secretary. 
Ann R. Purcell who resides in Chatham County represents Georgia's 1st Congressional District and was a former state legislator. She was elected to the board in 2013 and was re-elected to serve her third term in 2022. Purcell has been named one of the 100 Influential Women in Georgia Engineering by Engineering Georgia magazine. Purcell has previously served as chair, vice chair and secretary. 
“Georgia's economy is growing, and the state is investing in our transportation network to support the people and businesses that use our roadways every day," said Chairman Purcell. “As chairman of the State Transportation Board of Georgia, I will continue to work to improve the state's transportation infrastructure which has helped position it as a top state for business and great place to raise a family."
Jamie Boswell, Georgia's 10th Congressional District representative, was elected to the STB in 2013 and resides in Athens. Boswell is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business with a major in real estate. He also attended Georgia Tech and is president and owner of the Boswell Group, which includes insurance, real estate and appraisal companies. Boswell has previously held the roles of chairman, vice chairman and secretary.  
“I have been on the State Transportation Board of Georgia since 2013," said Vice Chairman Boswell.  “I am extremely proud of the work my colleagues and I have done to help grow Georgia's infrastructure but there is more work to do, and my position as vice chairman will allow me to better serve and meet the transportation needs of the people of Georgia."
McEntire, representing Georgia's 3rd Congressional District located in west central Georgia, has dedicated his career to public service and infrastructure. He was elected to the STB in 2022. An alumnus of the University of Georgia with a degree in business administration, McEntire has extensive experience including serving as general manager of Newnan Utilities, where he played a pivotal role in supporting the city's growth. In addition to his current role, McEntire has been actively involved in numerous community organizations, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to enhancing Georgia’s infrastructure.
"I am deeply honored to have been elected as Secretary of the State Transportation Board," said McEntire. "Our work in enhancing Georgia’s infrastructure is crucial, and I look forward to continuing to address the transportation needs of the communities in the 3rd Congressional District and beyond."
The new positions are effective immediately. Board elections are held annually to ensure all regions of the state are represented at the executive leadership level. The 14-member State Transportation Board is responsible for setting policies and governing the Georgia Department of Transportation. Board members are elected by a caucus of Georgia General Assembly members from their respective congressional districts and serve staggered, five-year terms.