Organization
Management Profiles
Director:
Lewis Cooksey, P.E.
Lewis.Cooksey@GwinnettCounty.com
Lewis Cooksey was named director of the Gwinnett Department of Transportation in October 2020. Cooksey began as a project manager in 2008, and he subsequently rose through the ranks to engineering coordinator, deputy director, and assistant director. In addition to his service to the Department of Transportation, Cooksey served as an assistant director in the Department of Water Resources. He earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Georgia and his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology from Kennesaw State University (Southern College of Technology). Cooksey is a registered Professional Engineer with over 25 years of experience in civil engineering.
Assistant Director:
Tom Sever, P.E.
Tom Sever was named assistant director of the Gwinnett Department of Transportation in December 2020. Sever previously served as the deputy director for the Traffic Signals and Roadways section, the director of the Traffic Engineering Division, and chief engineer of the Traffic Signal and ITS section. Sever began working for Gwinnett in 2000 with several years of experience in the private sector. Sever earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of Georgia and a member of several professional organizations, including the Georgia Section of the Institute Transportation of Engineers and the Intelligent Transportation Society of Georgia. Sever was awarded the Transportation Professional of the Year award by GAITE in 2021.
Director, Transit Capital Improvement Projects:
China Thomas
China.Thomas@GwinnettCounty.com
China Thomas was named director of Transit Capital Improvement Projects in October 2021. For over two decades, Thomas has coached, motivated, and developed teams; established business systems, processes, and organizational structures; increased operational efficiency and system safety and service quality. Thomas has been a significant leader in connecting communities and moving people through her operational management background in the public sector. Her most significant career accomplishment was expanding a transit system from 27 routes to 35 routes in Long Beach, California. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Redlands. Thomas is an alumna of the Eno Center for Transportation Emerging Leaders Program and a member of the Women’s Transportation Seminar Los Angeles Chapter and the California Transit Association.
Deputy Director, Capital Program Delivery:
Andrew Thompson, P.E.
Andrew.Thompson@GwinnettCounty.com
Andrew Thompson was named deputy director of Capital Program Delivery in 2018. He began his engineering career with the Georgia Department of Transportation in 2001. His experience includes work in the private sector as an engineering consultant, as well as work in local government. Thompson has directed successful completion of numerous projects and programs around the north metro area. Thompson holds a master’s degree in public administration from Kennesaw State University and earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology from the Southern Polytechnic State University. He is licensed as a professional engineer and real estate broker.
Deputy Director, Intermodal Operations:
David Tucker, ASLA
David.Tucker@GwinnettCounty.com
David Tucker was named deputy director of Intermodal Operations in 2007. Tucker began his career as a development review manager with Planning and Development in 1986 and has years of planning and land development experience in both the public and private sector. Gwinnett Transportation hired Tucker as the senior construction manager of road improvements for Capital Program Delivery in 2000. In 2004, he was appointed as the Preconstruction director for Program Delivery. Tucker holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia and is a registered landscape architect in the state of Georgia. He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and is a certified arborist.
Deputy Director, Traffic Signals and Roadways:
Edgardo Aponte, P.E.
Edgardo.Aponte@GwinnettCounty.com
Edgardo Aponte was named deputy director of the Traffic Signals and Roadways section in 2020. Gwinnett Transportation hired Aponte as the division director for the Preconstruction Division in 2016. Prior to joining Gwinnett County, Aponte worked in the private sector for more than 16 years performing transportation consulting work for local agencies including the state of Georgia, Gwinnett County, and other counties and cities. Aponte also worked in the public sector for five years at the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority. Aponte holds a master’s degree in engineering management from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and a bachelor’s degree of science in civil engineering from Marquette University. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of Georgia.
Division Director, Airport:
Matt Smith
Matthew.Smith@GwinnettCounty.com
Matt Smith was named division director of Airport in 2000. Smith began his aviation career with both air-carrier and general aviation airports. His experience also includes working with San Jose International Airport, Reno Air Airlines, and the three general aviation airports operated by Santa Clara County. Smith holds a bachelor's degree in aviation operations and a minor in business. He is a member of the American Association of Airport Executives, the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives, and the Georgia Airports Association. Smith holds a certified member status with the American Association of Airport Executives and is also a certified private pilot.
Division Director, Construction:
Brittney J. Bulfinch
Brittney.Bulfinch@GwinnettCounty.com
Brittney Bulfinch was named division director of Capital Program Delivery, Construction in 2019. Gwinnett Transportation hired Bulfinch as the construction manager in 2014. She was promoted to program coordinator for the Capital Program Delivery Preconstruction Division in 2016. She began her career in the public sector as a construction inspector with the City of Roswell Public Works Department. Since then, she has continued to enhance her construction management skills in both public and private sector positions relating to stormwater and roadway construction, permitting, and contract management. Bulfinch holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy from Eckerd College.
Division Director, Finance and Performance Management:
John Ray, P.E.
John Ray was named division director of Finance and Performance Management in 2016. Gwinnett Transportation hired Ray as a project manager in 2007. He was promoted to division director of the Preconstruction Division in 2008. Ray has more than 20 years of experience in engineering, construction, and program management. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Division Director, Roadway Operations and Maintenance:
Britton Lockhart
Britton.Lockhart@GwinnettCounty.com
Britton Lockhart was named division director of the Operations and Maintenance Division in December 2020. Gwinnett Transportation hired Lockhart as the construction manager of capital program delivery in 2016. In that role, he oversaw multiple SPLOST projects, working with the construction contractors and core services provider to ensure all projects were built to the County’s standard of excellence. In 2018, Lockhart was promoted to resurfacing manager in Operations and Maintenance Division, where he managed the countywide resurfacing program with an annual budget of about $25 million. He has over 16 years of experience in the private sector in construction management, customer service, pre-construction estimation, and logistics. Lockhart holds a bachelor’s degree in construction from Southern Polytechnic State University.
Division Director, Traffic Management:
Kristin Phillips
Kristin.Phillips@GwinnettCounty.com
Kristin Phillips was named division director of Traffic Engineering in November 2022. Gwinnett Transportation hired Phillips as the chief engineer of Traffic Signals in 2018. In 2021, Phillips was promoted to section manager of Traffic Signals. Prior to joining Gwinnett, she worked in the private sector for more than 15 years performing transportation consulting work for local and state agencies in Georgia and Wisconsin. Phillips holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Michigan State University and a Master of Engineering from Texas A&M University. She is a registered professional engineer in the states of Georgia and Michigan and a member of several professional organizations, including the Georgia Section of the Institute Transportation of Engineers and the Intelligent Transportation Society of Georgia.
Division Director, Traffic Safety:
Sylvia Goalen
Sylvia.Goalen@GwinnettCounty.com
Sylvia Goalen was named division director of Traffic Safety in December 2022. She started with the Department of Transportation in June 2019, serving as program delivery project coordinator before she was promoted to section manager of the Traffic Safety and Support Division in July 2021. Goalen has served Gwinnett for more than 13 years. Prior to joining the Department of Transportation, she served as a lieutenant for Community Risk Reduction with Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services and as community outreach coordinator for the County Administrator’s Office. Goalen holds a bachelor’s degree in business marketing and a master’s degree in business administration. She also volunteers and serves on various boards around the county, including the Hispanic Mentoring Priority, where she mentors middle school girls and encourages them to reach their full potential. Goalen was also awarded the Personajes Destacados award for her work in local government by Mundo Hispanico in 2016.
Division Director, Transit:
Natasha Tyler
Natasha.Tyler@GwinnettCounty.com
Natasha Tyler was named division director of Transit in November 2021. She has over 15 years of transit experience including administration, safety, and operations. Tyler previously served as the general manager for Transit. Her future goal is to bring a diverse and innovative perspective to the great industry of transit. Tyler also holds an associate degree in business management and is a member of COMTO. The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) is the leading national advocate for employment diversity, inclusion, and contracting opportunities in the multi-modal, multi-billion-dollar transportation industry.
