Georgia DOT Commissioner Steps Down

In a surprise move, the Georgia Transportation Board chairman Wednesday 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.

He 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 as an advisor to the department until the end of the year.

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

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 Georgia Tech. According to the release, Golden first worked in planning with the DOT and has held numerous management positions, most recently in traffic operations.