Northam tapped Esther Lee, a Fairfax economic development official and former official in the Obama administration, to serve as his secretary of commerce.
Pending approval by the legislature, Lee would be the eighth woman to serve in one of 15 Cabinet-level positions.
"Our commonwealth's diversity is our strength, why is why I made a commitment to building a cabinet that reflects it," Northam said in a statement. "I'm honored to have this formidable group of experienced, accomplished female leaders joining me in working to build a Virginia that works for everyone, no matter who you are, no matter where you live."
