Douglas R. Hooker, an alumnus of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts School of Public Policy and a member of the IAC Advisory Board, has been appointed Executive Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission following a national search.

The ARC is the official planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta region and serves as a catalyst for regional progress by focusing leadership, attention, and planning resources on key regional issues. Hooker's election as the agency's fourth executive director was unanimous, and he was sworn in immediately following the October 31st vote by the commission.

The ARC praised Hooker as a highly experienced professional with extensive ties to government, business, and nonprofit organizations throughout the Atlanta region and across Georgia.

ARC Chairman, Tad Leithead said, “The 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 being sworn in. “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.”

Hooker has been Vice President and Southern States Director for Atkins (formerly PBS&J) since 2005. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of the Georgia State Road & Tollway Authority and was Commissioner of Public Works for the City of Atlanta throughout most of the 1990s and including the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Hooker's bachelor's degree was from Georgia Tech (Mechanical Engineering), and he holds a Master of Science, Technology, and Science Policy from the IAC School of Public Policy and a Masters of Business Administration from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.  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.