Gov. Stein Appoints New North Carolina Secretary of Transportation

Last Friday, Governor Josh Stein announced the appointment of Daniel Johnson to be the next North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary, effective October 1st. Current NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins announced his retirement effective at the  end of September after decades of public service.  

“Secretary Hopkins has served at the Department of Transportation for more than 30 years and was planning for his retirement until Hurricane Helene struck our state,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I asked him to delay his retirement to help steer us through the early phases of recovery and rebuilding. I am so grateful that he did, and we have reopened 97% of our state-maintained roads. He is a true public servant, beloved across the state and across the aisle, and I wish him a joyful retirement with his family.” 

Johnson has served as DCDOT”s Deputy Secretary and General Counsel since 2019. Before this role, John worked in private practice, served as an assistant district attorney for Wake County, and as a surface warfare officer in the United States Navy. Johnson is from Hickory and earned his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of North Carolina.  

“Secretary Hopkins leaves a legacy of leadership that I can only hope to continue,” said Daniel Johnson. “We must continue the task of building a transportation system that meets the needs of our growing state, and I am eager to get to work.”