PERSONNEL - Rountree & Esposito out, Brown up, Flagg in (ADDITIONS)

Out is Rosa Rountree, 46, the much liked, gutsy, executive director of Georgia Tolls, victim of infighting in Atlanta between the bigs in state government. Unlike too many chief execs of state agencies Rountree has a storied history in the toll business, having worked at PBS&J and ACS on tolling and been operations manager at OOCEA. She was appointed head of Georgia State Roads Toll Authority (GSRTA or 'Surtah') May 2006 and left February 7.

Georgia DOT commissioner Gena Abraham is acting executive director of GSRTA for the moment. The governor is talking about a consolidation of state transport agencies.

MdTA

Retiring shortly is Curt Esposito, 67, head of operations at Maryland (Toll) Transportation Authority (MdTA) for four years and before that head of operations at the Delaware Memorial Bridge, also well known and liked in industry circles for his energy, candor and wit. He is working off some leave entitlement hiking in Patagonia Argentina and will return to finish up some special assignments for CEO Ron Freeland.

Esposito's deputy Randy Brown, 51, has already taken over as head of operations at MdTA. Brown specialized in bridge engineering at the State Highway Administration before joining the toll authority in 1999.

Mass Pike

Appointed to a new position, Chief of Administration (pay $115k) at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, is Jennifer Flagg, 40, a high flyer in state government who worked with the state police chief Edward Flynn and on the state's Finance Control Board. Executive director Alan LeBovidge is reorganizing the Turnpike by creating several new senior positions. he has also abolished other positions.

Our prize for the dumbest comment on a personnel matter goes to the Teamsters Local secretary that represents toll collectors, Robert F Cullinane. He said it was "inconsistent" of LeBovidge to create a new position while also proposing staff cuts. The position of chief of administration was unnecessary, he said, because "No one did it before."

Editorial note: if we get sufficient tips on appointments, retirements, promotions, demotions, let-gos, firings and other personnel matters, we'll try to make this a regular feature.

email us at editor@tollroadsnews.com and please get us a pic and short bio.

TOLLROADSnews 2008-02-22 ADDITIONS 2008-02-27