DOT chief to marry her former board chairman

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DOT chief to marry former board chairman
Gena Abraham, Mike Evans had faced brouhaha over relationship, his resignation from board

By ARIEL HART
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/20/08

State Transportation Commissioner Gena Abraham and former Transportation Board Chairman Mike Evans are engaged to be married, they said.

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File photo

Gena Abraham, the bride

File photo

Mike Evans, the groom

Transportation news

Topic: Atlanta transportation

"I'm extremely excited about it," Abraham said. "We're looking forward to a long, great future together."

Evans said he popped the question Friday after a conversation about the "whirlwind" of their ten-week-old relationship.

"The most special place in the world to her is her lake house," Evans said. "And the most special place at her lake house is her front porch swing." Sitting on that swing, Evans said, "Friday night I asked her to marry me, and she said yes."

Abraham spent part of Tuesday calling board members to give them the news.

"I'm happy for them," said the board's chairman for the next month, Bill Kuhlke. "They've fallen in love, they want to get married, and I think it's great."

Board member David Doss, who had a contentious relationship with Abraham during the brouhaha that erupted when the relationship was disclosed, said he was "genuinely excited and happy for both them."

Evans resigned as chairman of the DOT board April 17 after telling the board he and Abraham wanted to pursue a personal relationship. Abraham was reprimanded by the board for not disclosing the relationship sooner. She reports to the board Evans chaired.

Evans said Tuesday he hopes that from now on they can keep their personal lives personal and move away from the intense scrutiny they have endured. "I think it strengthened the bond and the relationship we have," he said. "But I wouldn't wish it on anybody."

Evans said the wedding will be small and casual, some time this summer. He said they hadn't decided where Evans, of Cumming, and Abraham, who lives 80 miles away in Sharpsburg, will settle.

Asked if her diamond ring was a pretty one, Evans said, "Yes, I think it is. I think she makes it sparkle."

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Comments

By John

May 29, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

NEW BUILDING? I didn't know the Trinity Washington Building was built in the last 5 years, but with the build out price of the GSFIC offices costing a whopping 200 / sf, I recon they could have built a new building.

This isn't about personal business. It's about abuse of power and there's a long history of it with dr. abraham.

By jona

May 29, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

If all you have is a hammer, the whole world is a nail.

If Gena were a hand tool, she would be a wrecking bar. Those who say that she is "qualified" for her job are perhaps mesmerized by the Ph.D. degree. Those of us who really know her and, like myself, have worked with her, know better.

As a wrecking bar, she was regrettably placed in authority over GBA and GSFIC's Construction Division. She stayed long enough to damage those organizations severely. You can't say that she can build back because she never stays long enough after sowing to reap what she sows.

Many of us who know her fear her for her love of power and her willingness to do whatever it takes to grab power.

Some who support her seem to be merely prejudiced against state employees. Cheering on a person such as Gena seems to indicate an irresponsible "just-fire-them-all" disdain for us. I'll no more argue with an irresponsible person than try to teach a pig to sing.

The problem is not romance. It is about the lust for power in a person who, like Leona Helmsley�the Queen of Mean�contends by her behavior that rules are for others, not her.

Gena is too mean for state government or any other position of power. I remember her this way: Gena AbraHARM.

By John J.

May 28, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

Richard Ashby was the director of IT at the GBA when she worked there as Chief Engineer. They dated at the time, though it's not clear if he was divorced at the time. Dating co-workers is par for the course Ms. "quite frankly". While at GSFIC as a project manager she dated Chip Patrick of Winter construction. She oversaw the work of Chip and Winter on the renovation of the 2 peachtree street boondoggle (one floor bid, then each successive floor AWARDED to the same contractor as a change order, now that's a good, competative use of tax payer's dollars)). None of the Winter change orders were ever challenged by her. Conflict of interest? Nope. Doesn't apply to her. She believes she's better.

Patrick was later hired in a cushy job at GSFIC by Gena after she rewrote the qualificatiions to include physics and advertised the job for a whole day. Conflict of interest? Nope. Does not apply to her.

"Quite fankley, I can do anything I want!" Blink, blink, blink.

Sweatheart, you are not above the law or state regulations. You are fooling no one. Your arrogance is overwhelming.

As to the GSFIC worker that wants her back, take a poll or check the results from the Vincent Institute. Employee turnover is over 60% since she arrived. Good, hard working people left. They were tired of unfairness, micromanagement and arrogance. We DON"T want her back.

By Wondering

May 26, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

Share with the rest of us...who is Ashby and what is the story?

By Wondering

May 26, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Share with the rest of us...who is Ashby and what is the story?

By bd

May 23, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

GDOT employees need to get over themselves. Two attractive people met and fell in love. We can't help that. It was wrong for them to have a relationship I do agree. Can anyone there say they have never made a mistake? She is a very smart and capable woman. She just asks that you come in, do a competent job, and go home. She brought GSFIC out of the dark ages. During her time as Director we got all of the tools needed to do our jobs. New copiers, new computers, NEW BUILDING. If you don't believe me come over and take a tour. In fact we love her and would be more than happy to take her back. I guarantee it would be your loss.

By bd

May 23, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

GDOT employees need to get over themselves. Two attractive people met and fell in love. We can't help that. It was wrong for them to have a relationship I do agree. Can anyone there say they have never made a mistake? She is a very smart and capable woman. She just asks that you come in, do a competent job, and go home. She brought GSFIC out of the dark ages. During her time as Director we got all of the tools needed to do our jobs. New copiers, new computers, NEW BUILDING. If you don't belive me come over and take a tour. In fact we love her and would be more than happy to take her back. I guarantee it would be your loss.

By me

May 23, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

I think that some of you people need to "get over it". Everyone is quick to respond to negative information about people. We are all human! No one has posted anything on how great Ms. Abraham's leadership skills are and what she has done in her past. So what! Get over it! and mind your own personal business!

By me

May 23, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

By me

May 23, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

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