Gena Lester Evans, Ph.D. Commissioner

Gena Lester Evans earned a bachelor’s degree (1992) and doctorate (2001) in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Evans was an assistant professor in Georgia Tech's School of Civil and Environmental Engineering when Governor Sonny Perdue named her Executive Secretary and Construction Director of the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC) in 2003. He later placed her in charge of all functions of the State Property Office in 2006.

As State Property Officer, she served as Executive Director of the Georgia Building Authority (GBA), continued her GSFIC responsibilities, was Executive Director of the State Properties Commission and chairman of the Georgia Land Conservation Council. She was charged with consolidating the management of all real estate assets owned and leased by the State of Georgia. She also worked closely with public and private sector representatives to develop best practices for space utilization and cost-efficient management to effectively oversee the State’s capital assets. Dr. Evans was also responsible for negotiating multi-year leases and contracts for properties across the state. Previously, she also served as chief engineer for the GBA and managed construction across the U.S. for LaSalle Partners.

In October 2007, Dr. Evans was selected by the State Transportation Board as the first woman Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation, overseeing nearly 6,000 employees and a $2.1 billion operating budget. In February 2008, Governor Perdue tapped her to head the State Road and Tollway Authority.

Dr. Evans has served on numerous boards including the Sapelo Island Heritage Authority, MARTA Board, State Board of Equalization and the Capital Asset Management Advisory Council.

In 2002, as part of its observance of the 50th anniversary of female students being admitted to Georgia Tech, the Alumni Magazine spotlighted her among 50 women as representative of the thousands who had attended since the first two coeds were admitted. She was also recognized by Georgia Trend magazine as one of their “Top 40 under 40” for the State of Georgia.

Dr. Evans is married to former State Representative Mike Evans and has a son Wil, and two daughters Faith and Lauren.

September 15, 2008