Mercer University’s School of Engineering will celebrate Engineers Week, Feb. 22-28, with a Thursday luncheon featuring a presentation by Todd Long, P.E., deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Long’s presentation is titled “The Future of Transportation in Georgia with the Savannah Port Expansion,” and will take place on Feb. 26, 12 p.m., in the Presidents Dining Room of the University Center on the Macon campus.

The event is open to the public, with a $30 registration fee for non-students and a $20 fee for students. RSVPs are required to [email protected] by Feb. 20, and the registration fee is payable at the door. Space is limited to the first 150 guests.

“Mercer Engineering is delighted to partner once again with the Middle Georgia chapter of the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers to host our annual Engineering Week luncheon,” said Dr. Wade H. Shaw, dean and Kaolin Chair of Engineering at Mercer. “Mr. Todd Long will share his insights on the expansion of the Savannah port – a major engineering project with enormous impact on Georgia for years to come.”

Long is a native of Hinesville and studied at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1989 and a master’s degree in civil engineering in 1990. He is a registered professional engineer and a registered professional traffic operations engineer.

He began his career with the GDOT in 1990 and has experience working at both GDOT headquarters and the district office. He has worked as district one engineer, director of administration and director of preconstruction. He also spent a year at the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority in 2008-2009.

In 2009, Long was appointed by then-Gov. Sonny Perdue to serve as director of planning. He was reappointed to that position by Gov. Nathan Deal and confirmed by the Georgia General Assembly in January 2011. He was selected to serve as deputy commissioner of GDOT in April 2012.

Long is an active member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers and served as president of the Georgia section in 2004. He and his wife, Kelli, are the proud parents of four children and currently reside in Lilburn.