Longtime Georgia Department of Transportation executive Russell McMurry has been named the department’s chief engineer, succeeding Gerald Ross, who will retire Dec. 31, according to a news release from DOT. McMurry worked 20 years in the Northeast Georgia district, including five years as the department’s district engineer, and lives in Hall County. He is a native of Hart County and currently serves as director of engineering services. “I am extremely pleased to have selected Russell for this critical position,” Georgia DOT Commissioner Keith Golden said after announcing the appointment at a meeting of the State Transportation Board.