ATL Board Archives – (Original Template)

Appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal, Sutlive is the director of corporate communication at Georgia Power. In this role, he provides strategic support for the company’s external and internal communications. Sutlive was previously the vice chancellor for communications and governmental affairs for the University System of Georgia (USG) and led the development and execution of communications, public affairs and economic development plans for USG’s 26 colleges and universities. Committee Assignments

• Chair, Regional Transit Planning
• Marketing/Communications
• Administrative

Felicia Franklin serves as commissioner with the Clayton County Board of Commissioners. In her professional career, she specializes in real-estate and insurance. She received her bachelors from the University of Miami. Committee Assignments

• Legislative
• Marketing/Communications
• Regional Transit Planning

 

Macke is the Vice President External Affairs at Comcast Cable. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia and master’s degree in Telecommunications Policy from Georgia Institute of Technology.   Committee Assignments

• Chair, Regional Technology
• Marketing/Communications
• Regional Transit Planning

Dr. Dickerson served as Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech until his retirement in 1996. In 2005 he became an Honorary Alumnus of Georgia Tech. His primary areas of expertise include Urban transportation, automation, and advanced manufacturing.   Committee Assignments

• Regional Technology
• Administrative
• Regional Transit Planning

Ver Steeg is currently the Vice President and part owner of Vermeer Southeast Sales & Service, a construction equipment dealer with eleven locations serving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and portions of South Carolina. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the Central University of Iowa in Pella, Iowa.   Committee Assignments

• Regional Technology
• Marketing/Communications
• Regional Transit Planning

Weyandt is a former transportation policy and planning official. He has a bachelor’s degree from the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.   Committee Assignments

• Regional Technology
• Legislative
• Regional Transit Planning

Thurmond is the Chief Executive Officer of Dekalb County. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Religion from Paine College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina’s School of Law. Committee Assignments

• Administrative
• Legislative
• Regional Transit Planning

Bottoms is the Mayor of the City of Atlanta. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Florida A&M University and a Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law.   Committee Assignments

• Legislative
• Regional Transit Planning

Mosby is the Vice President of Faculty Contracts Administration in Medical Affairs at Grady Health System. He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2002 and has concluded his service as a member of the General Assembly in December 2018.   Committee Assignments

• Administrative
• Legislative
• Regional Transit Planning

MARK TORO is the Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Atlanta-based Toro Development Company. Prior to starting Toro Development Company, Toro cofounded and led the North American Properties (NAP) Atlanta office where he oversaw $3.1 billion in real estate development, totaling 9.4 million square feet. He delivered industry-leading returns to his capital partners, became known nationally as a leader in experience-driven commercial real estate and left a legacy of great communities. His successes at NAP include the repositioning of Atlantic Station, development of Alpharetta’s $1 billion Avalon and the redevelopment of Colony Square. Toro currently serves on Innovating Commerce Serving Communities’ Board of Trustees, chairs Midtown Alliance’s Board of Directors and serves as vice chair of the City of Refuge Board, where he chaired the $25 million “Shining the Light” capital campaign. Before cofounding NAP’s Atlanta office in 1996, Toro served in several leadership positions with Faison and Cousins Properties. He has developed, redeveloped, or repositioned more than 70 properties totaling almost 30 million square feet during his career.

Appointed by Speaker of the House, David Ralston Ehrhart is the CEO of Taylor English Decisions. He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1988 and will conclude his service as a member of the General Assembly in January 2019.   Committee Assignments

• Chair, Administrative
• Regional Transit Planning

Appointed by Speaker of the House David Ralston, Nash is the chair of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners. She was elected countywide to this position in March 2011 and was reelected in 2012 and 2016. Nash previously worked for the Gwinnett County government for 28 years and retired as the county manager in 2004.   Committee Assignments

• Chair, Legislative
• Administrative
• Regional Transit Planning

Chris serves as the Executive Director of the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) and as the Executive Director of the newly created Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (the ATL). SRTA operates all toll facilities within Georgia and serves as a transportation funding/financing arm for the state. In addition, SRTA manages Xpress, the state’s regional commuter coach transit service, and administers the Atlanta region’s vanpool program. GRTA serves as the Governor’s voice for strategic direction and approval of metro Atlanta’s federally required overall transportation plan and reviews Developments of Regional Impact to understand their effect on the region’s transportation network. The ATL provides transit governance and funding oversight for all transit projects and operators within the 13-county metro Atlanta region. In his combined executive leadership roles, Chris leads three state level authorities whose shared missions are focused on improving mobility in Georgia by providing reliable, innovative transportation solutions to Georgia motorists and transit commuters. As Executive Director, Chris serves as primary liaison to the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) Public-Private Partnership program. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), where he is the Immediate Past President. Prior to being appointed Executive Director for GRTA and SRTA, Chris served as Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel for SRTA. In this role, he was responsible for day-to-day operations and legal issue management. Before joining SRTA, Chris served as General Counsel for several state agencies, including GDOT, the Georgia Technology Authority and the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, where he was also Deputy Director for the Construction Division. Chris graduated cum laude from Morehouse College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Georgia State University College of Law.

Heather joined SRTA in 2017, and in her role, directs and makes decisions regarding the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures for tollway revenue collection and operation. She previously served as the Division Director for Physical and Economic Development at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (OPB). There, she led the policy division supporting SRTA, GRTA, the Georgia Forestry Commission, Public Service Commission, Secretary of State and the Departments of Agriculture, Banking and Finance, Community Affairs, Economic Development, Labor, Natural Resources, Revenue and Transportation. Heather holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia. She is a member of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership’s class of 2017.