Wellborn stepping down from DOT Board after 27 years

Former Columbus banker Sam Wellborn — the longest serving member in the history of the Georgia Department of Transportation Board — is retiring after representing the Third Congressional District for nearly 27 years.

Wellborn revealed his unexpected decision to leaders of the 27 counties that make up the West Georgia district on Friday and said his formal retirement is effective Monday. The former President of Columbus Bank & Trust Company was elected to his sixth five-year term on the DOT Board in 2017.

Retired banker Sam Wellborn stepping down after 27 years on the DOT board.

Wellborn, 77, assured supporters on Friday that his decision to step aside from the post is not based on reasons of health.

Membership on the DOT board is an elected position. Representatives of the counties that make up the Third Congressional District cast votes every five years.

Wellborn was first elected in 1991. He succeeded the late Frank Morast, like Wellborn another longtime local banker. Morast had been President of Trust Company of Columbus and a member of the DOT Board for 21 years.

In the past, Wellborn, a native of Columbus, served as chairman of the Buick Challenge Golf Tournament (formerly the Southern Open) and as chairman of the Synovus Foundation.