Donald Trump has named former labour secretary Elaine Chao to head the US Department of Transportation in his new administration, as the country's president-elect continues to fill cabinet posts.
A former labour secretary, the Taiwan-born Chao, is the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The upper chamber must approve all cabinet secretaries and other high-ranking political appointees.
Chao was a schoolgirl when her family moved to New York, where her father founded a maritime shipping company. She worked in banking before starting a government career.
The 63-year-old was previously chairwoman of the Federal Maritime Commission, deputy transportation secretary and Peace Corps director under presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush. She headed the Labor Department (2001-2009) for the entire presidency of George W Bush.
Trump said Chao's leadership and expertise are "invaluable assets in our mission to rebuild our infrastructure in a fiscally responsible manner".
Chao praised Trump's "clear vision to transform our country's infrastructure, accelerate economic growth and productivity, and create good paying jobs".
