Walter "Sonny" Deriso's presence on the GRTA board insures that the authority's efforts will reflect the needs of all Georgia, not just metro Atlanta.

A native of Newnan, Deriso lives in Albany and works in Atlanta as Chairman of the Board of Atlantic Capital Bank. He previously served as vice-chairman of Synovus Corp in Columbus and served as president of Security Bank & Trust Company of Albany as well as practicing law for 18 years with the firm Divine, Wilkin, Deriso, Raulerson & Fields in Albany.

Deriso serves on the Board of Directors of Post Properties, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trustees of Emory University, and the Foundation of The Methodist Children’s Home of the South Georgia Conference. He is counting on GRTA to protect the quality of life for all its citizens and says, "We have to be worthy of such trust."