The two highest paid employees in state government in 2016 no longer work for the state. In fact, the highest paid University System worker had resigned as president of a school he ran the year before.

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution review of state pay records shows Ricardo Azziz, who stepped down as president of Augusta University in mid-2015, made $1.735 million last year.

The highest paid state employee in fiscal 2016 is also no longer working for the state. But he ran the Georgia Ports Authority during fiscal 2016. Curtis Foltz, the executive director of the authority before retiring last summer, was paid $1.947 million, according to state figures. Like Azziz, Foltz received a big payout when he left the post.

The highest paid school superintendent in the state once again was Alvin Wilbanks of Gwinnett County, who has led the largest school system in the state since the mid-1990s. Unlike the other two, he’s still running Gwinnett County schools.

To see the complete top 10 list for University System, state and school system employees, and find out what other ex-college presidents are still getting state paychecks, check out our story at myajc.com

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8/26/17 - Atlanta, GA - Georgia leaders, including Gov. Nathan Deal, Sandra Deal, members of the King family, and Rep. Calvin Smyre,  were on hand for unveiling of the first statue of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at the statehouse grounds, more than three years after Gov. Nathan Deal first announced the project.  During the hour-long ceremony leading to the unveiling of the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at the state Capitol on Monday, many speakers, including Gov. Nathan Deal, spoke of King's biography. The statue was unveiled on the anniversary of King's famed "I Have Dream" speech. BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres