President Barack Obama officially named Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx as his nominee for Secretary of Transportation Monday afternoon.
In his announcement from the White House East Room, Obama praised Foxx's record of creating jobs and making Charlotte more attractive for businesses.
The President also tasked Foxx to start repairing the nation's infrastructure. He said repairing roads and bridges was one of the best ways to put Americans back to work and boost the economy.
"I am absolutely confident that [Foxx] is going to do an outstanding job," Obama said. "I hope that the Senate confirms him quickly, because we have a lot of work to do."
Foxx, a Democrat, was elected Mayor of Charlotte in 2009 at the age of 38, and has pioneered several transportation initiatives during his time in office. These initiatives include improvement to local highways, expansion of Charlotte Douglas International Airport and extending the city's LYNX streetcar line.
[div class="alignleft"] [/div]
Foxx is the first African American cabinet nominee of Obama's second term.
In 2011, POLITICO.com named Foxx one of "50 politicos to watch." His successful effort to bring the 2012 Democratic National Convention to Charlotte plunged him into the national political spotlight last summer.
Foxx spoke at the Elon School of Law last November, where he discussed leadership and bringing people together to find bipartisan solutions to local and national issues.
If confirmed by the Senate, Foxx will replace outgoing Secretary Ray LaHood who announced his resignation from the post in January.