Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) Transportation and Public Works Department Director Steve Decker will retire as director effective June 1, 2021. 

Manager Blaine Williams appointed Decker as director in April 2020. Decker had previously retired from ACCGov in 2017 after more than 10 years of service as the Traffic Engineer and Division Manager of the Transportation and Public Works Department’s Traffic Engineering Division. He also served for four months as Interim Director during that time. Decker came out of retirement to apply for the director position, but has decided to return to retirement.

“I truly am grateful for the opportunity to return to the Transportation and Public Works Department as the Director,” says Decker. “From my past as Traffic Engineer, I worked alongside the very talented and professional staff in the department, as well as throughout the government, and I was very proud to be part of this team again.”

While in his director role, Decker introduced the Safety Corridor concept from other communities as a tool for helping reduce crashes and crash severity in identified areas in Athens-Clarke County. The team effort across ACCGov involves traffic data collection, Roadway Safety Audit Team corridor walk- and drive-throughs, the development of educational materials, and traffic law enforcement. Tallassee Road from the county line to Whitehead Road is the first area undergoing Safety Corridor studies and improvements.

Prior to joining ACCGov in 2007, Decker worked with several city and county governments in New Mexico and Florida. Decker’s experience with transportation also extended to the state level, where he worked with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Decker also served in the U.S. Army as a Topographical Surveyor and is a Vietnam veteran.

“I’m grateful to Steve returning to ACCGov as director for the last year and guiding Transportation and Public Works during COVID-19,” says Williams. “His extensive knowledge of transportation systems and passion for improving both pedestrian and vehicular safety has improved the lives of our residents over the 11 years he’s been with us in several roles. He also has engaged TPW employees in a meaningful way, setting ACCGov up for future success.” 

Williams has appointed Assistant Transportation and Public Works Director Stephen Bailey to serve as Interim Transportation and Public Works Department Director until a permanent replacement is named after a national search.

“Last year was a very challenging time for everyone, but together as a strong, positive-minded team of public servants, Transportation and Public Works continued to provide the service needed to maintain a safe environment for our Athens-Clarke County residents and visitors,” says Decker. “Although it is time for me to leave this team, there are leaders within it who will continue to move the department to an even higher level.”

The ACCGov Transportation and Public Works Department provides safe and efficient roadways, bikeways, and walkways; traffic control and guidance systems; and public stormwater collection and conveyance systems to the Athens-Clarke County community. For more information, visit www.accgov.com/publicworks..