GDOT names first woman to serve in chief engineer position

ATLANTA (AP) - The Georgia Department of Transportation has named its first female chief engineer.

GDOT officials said in a statement that longtime agency executive Margaret Pirkle has been appointed to serve as chief engineer effective Jan. 1. The department's commissioner announced Pirkle's appointment during a State Transportation Board meeting on Thursday.

Officials say Pirkle has worked for the department for more than 25 years and currently serves as division director for permits and operations. Pirkle earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Vanderbilt University and a master's in civil engineering from Georgia Tech.

Officials say Pirkle will succeed Russell McMurry, who has been appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal to work as the department's planning director.