Morgan Purchell accepted into ACEC Georgia Engineering Leadership Academy

Garver’s Morgan Purchell, PE, has been accepted into the prestigious ACEC Georgia Engineering Leadership Academy (ELA), a recognition that highlights his dedication to professional growth and leadership in the transportation industry.

ELA is a nine-month intensive leadership development course designed for employees who are experienced in managing projects and people and who are being considered for higher-level leadership roles within their firm. The course is focused on expanding their perspective from the day-to-day nuts and bolts of managing to the big picture and strategic thinking required to lead a firm, department, or practice area. Each cohort is carefully selected by a committee and capped at 24 participants to foster collaboration, meaningful dialogue, and hands-on learning.

A graduate of Georgia Tech, Purchell brings 14 years of experience in transportation design and project management. Currently serving as a Roadway Team Leader in Garver’s metro Atlanta office, he has led roadway design teams on projects ranging from multiuse trails to complex interstate interchanges. His leadership style is grounded in empathy and experience; he connects with his team by remembering what it was like to be in their shoes, and he leads by example.

Purchell’s approach to leadership is both technical and interpersonal. He leverages his deep engineering expertise to mentor others, while also cultivating a collaborative and supportive team environment. “I root for the success of others,” he says, reflecting his belief that leadership is about lifting others up while continuing to grow himself.

His involvement with ACEC Georgia spans nearly a decade. He is a graduate of the 2017–2018 ACEC Georgia Future Leaders Program and currently serves on the ACEC Technology Task Force. Purchell is also a regular attendee of the Georgia Transportation Forum and the annual Georgia Transportation Summit, demonstrating his commitment to staying engaged with the broader transportation community.

In addition to his ACEC involvement, Purchell has been a member of ASHE Georgia since 2015, further underscoring his dedication to the industry.

Participation in the Leadership Academy marks a new chapter in Purchell’s journey. He looks forward to building on the foundation laid during his time in the Future Leaders Program and continuing to grow as a leader in Georgia’s transportation community.