DOT Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl to retire Nov. 30

<p>Georgia Department of Transportation Commmissioner Harold E. Linnenkohl said Wednesday that he will retire Nov. 30, capping a 39-year DOT career, including four at the helm.</p><p>Before being named commissioner by the DOT board in September 2003, Linnenkohl was deputy under former Commissioner Tom Coleman, who resigned the previous month.</p><p>Before that, he was executive essistant to former Commissioner Wayne Shackelford.</p><p>Linnenkohl, 58, directs 5,800 employees statewide and manages an annual budget of more than $2 billion.</p><p>He is past president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the Southern Association of State Highway Transportation Officials.</p><p>Gov. Sonny Perdue called Linnenkohl "a dedicated and effective leader" who "has contributed tremendously to the continued growth and development of our state."</p><p>Perdue said he "spearheaded my Fast Forward program, infusing $15.5 billion into the system to fund projects in six years that would have otherwise taken 18 years to complete.</p><p>"Over the last four years, we have more than doubled transportation funding for road projects across our great state," the governor said.</p><p>In his retirement announcement, Linnenkohl said he was proud "to have worked with the wonderful employees of this department. They are true public servants.</p><p>"It has been my privilege to work for quality transportation solutions during this exciting time in Georgia, and I appreciate the guidance and help of Gov. Perdue, the members of the State Transportation Board, the General Assembly and the traveling public toward our goal to provide a safe and efficient transportation system for this state."</p><p>DOT board Chairman Mike Evans said Linnenkohl "has provided leadership as commissioner at a pivotal point in DOT's history, and at a difficult point with the funding shortage.</p><p>"I think his background and longevity at the department, and frankly his love for the department, have been an asset at this particular time," Evans said.</p>