Youngkin announces transportation secretary

Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin announced Friday W. Sheppard “Shep” Miller III, former chairman of Virginia Beach-based defense contractor KITCO Fiber Optics, as his state secretary of transportation.

“Shep will be an invaluable leader as secretary of transportation as we fulfill our promises to all Virginians to invest in roads, highways and transportation infrastructure in every corner of the commonwealth,” Youngkin said in a statement.

In 2017, Miller sold KITCO Fiber Optics and retired from his role as chairman.

He is a member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the Virginia House Ethics Advisory Panel and the board of Virginia FREE. Miller serves as vice chairman of the Norfolk board of TowneBank and is a member of the executive boards of the Greater Norfolk Corp. and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.

Miller is a member of the boards of trustees for Hampden-Sydney College, Washington College and the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges.

He has served as chairman or president of multiple Hampton Roads organizations: the Norfolk Economic Development Authority, the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee, the Better Business Bureau of Greater Hampton Roads, the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula campaign, Hampton Roads Ventures LLC and the Rotary Club of Norfolk.

Miller received his bachelor’s degree from Hampden-Sydney College and an MBA from William & Mary.