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Grace Trimble

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FOR RELEASE: November 1, 2011

For More Information Contact:

Grace Trimble
(404)-463-3192
Cell: (404) 323-5647
gtrimble@atlantaregional.com



MEDIA ADVISORY

Douglas R. Hooker Sworn in as New ARC Executive Director

The Atlanta Regional Commission today voted unanimously to appoint Douglas R. Hooker as the regional planning agency’s executive director. Justice Robert Benham of the Georgia Supreme Court administered the oath of office immediately following the vote.

With Mr. Hooker’s appointment, ARC has chosen a highly experienced professional with extensive ties to government, business and nonprofit organizations throughout the Atlanta region and across Georgia to be the agency’s fourth executive director.

“Doug Hooker will be a superb executive director at a crucial time in our region’s history,” said Tad Leithead, ARC Chairman. “The ARC search committee conducted a nationwide search that attracted many qualified candidates, and Doug stood head and shoulders above them all. We are extremely fortunate to find the best candidate for this job, right in our own back yard.”

“You honor me greatly,” said Hooker after taking the oath. “This is a critical time for our region. 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.”

Cherokee Commission Chair Buzz Ahrens chaired the ARC search committee, whose work culminated in today’s action. He noted that about a third of Commission members participated in the interview process.

Mr. Hooker comes to ARC from Atkins (formerly PBS&J), where he served as vice president and southern states director since 2005. In that capacity, he led client development for the company’s water, environmental and transportation businesses in the Southeast.

Mr. Hooker’s previous experience includes serving as executive director of the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority. During the 1996 Olympics, and throughout most of the 90s, Mr. Hooker was commissioner of public works for the City of Atlanta. He has also held leadership positions with other engineering firms.

Mr. Hooker is deeply involved in the community. He is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta, Leadership Georgia and the Regional Leadership Institute. Mr. Hooker is co-founder, board member and former chairman of the Civic League for Regional Atlanta. He serves on numerous other boards, including the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Council for Quality Growth and the Emory University Board of Visitors. He is a former board member of Georgians for Passenger Rail, Georgia Conservancy, Park Pride and the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership (IGEL), among others.

He served on the inaugural board of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and the Governor’s Advisory Council for the ACT and ACF River Basin Compacts.

Mr. Hooker holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science, Technology & Science Policy from Georgia Tech and a Masters of Business Administration from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. He is married to Patrise Perkins-Hooker. In his spare time he likes playing in a community band, composing music, reading and spending time with his grandchildren.

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. The Atlanta Regional Commission serves as a catalyst for regional progress by focusing leadership, attention and planning resources on key regional issues.

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