Georgia DOT Commissioner Steps Down

In a surprise move, the Georgia Transportation Board chairman today announced the resignation of Vance Smith as commissioner of the Department of Transportation. 

“I have today accepted the resignation of Vance Smith as commissioner of the Department of Transportation,” state transportation Board Chairman Rudy Bowen said in a press release.

Bowen went on to announce that Smith had appointed the department operations director, Keith Golden, to the position of deputy commissioner prior to his resignation. In keeping with state law, the deputy will serve as interim commissioner. Smith will remain with the department as an advisor until the end of the year.

According to the release, Golden will begin his new duties immediately.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting this move came following a two-hour closed-door meeting of the board and that Bowen said the board felt it was time to go in a different direction.

A 25-year veteran of the Georgia DOT, Golden is a licensed professional engineer and holds a bachelor's as well as a master’s degree in civil engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. According to the release, Golden first worked in planning with the DOT and has held numerous management positions, most recently in traffic operations.