Two top GDOT officials - including rail program chief - exit

CL has learned that Erik Steavens, the Georgia Department of Transportation official who oversees most non-road projects — including rail and aviation programs — has left. In addition, Robin Stevens, GDOT’s human resources director, has also resigned.

Their exits come on the heels of what political junkies say are shaky times at GDOT. Just last week people whispered that Commissioner Vance Smith had lost the faith of some boardmembers. As my colleague Scott Henry wrote:

The word on the street is that Smith, like his board-booted predecessors Gena Evans and Harold Linnenkohl, is widely perceived as lacking what it takes to lead the state’s most complex and logistics-heavy department. As the AJC pointed out earlier this week, the departure of Treasurer Kate Pfirman, who’s taking a job with the Department of Community Health, leaves the DOT with several empty positions at the top of its food chain.What’s more, GDOT is currently poring over road and transit projects local elected officials would like to see funded by a one-cent sales tax that voters will decide next year.

A GDOT spokeswoman confirmed Steavens and Stevens’ exits. GDOT is keeping tight-lipped about the resignations, but Smith said in a statement:

Ensuring Intermodal matters receive immediate and continuing attention is a priority. To that end, Carol Comer will serve as the Acting Intermodal Programs Division Director. Carol has been with the Department for 14 years; serving as Aviation Program Manager for the past three years and previously as an Airport Development Engineer. Prior to joining Georgia DOT, she worked in the Aviation Division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

As the Division Director over Administration, Matthew Cline will assist in managing Human Resources matters.
We are fortunate to have extremely dedicated and very talented Intermodal and Human Resources staff. Our ongoing operations will continue to function optimally.