Engineering Alumnus Douglas R. Hooker (ME) was recently elected as the new Executive Director of the Atlanta Regional Comission.

Hooker succeeds Chick Krautler, who retired earlier this year after heading the commission for a decade.  Hooker is the first African-American to head the ARC in its history.  Harry West, who served the commission for 27 years, is pleased with the vote.  “Doug is the right person for the organization at this point in time,” West said. “It’s an excellent choice.”  West explained the region is at a critical place, and the commission is in need of strategic and collaborative leadership.

The Atlanta Regional Commission is the official planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties as well as the City of Atlanta and 67 other cities.

Hooker most recently worked as Atkin's Vice President and Southern States Director.  In addition, he has also served as the former executive director of the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority and former commissioner of public works for Atlanta.

“This is a critical time for our region,” Hooker recently said in a statement. “It is vital that we build on the great success of the Atlanta Regional Roundtable, build on our Livable Centers and Lifelong Community programs, secure water supplies for our future and strengthen partnerships with public and private agencies throughout the region in order to lead metro Atlanta toward a more prosperous and sustainable future.”