Governor Josh Stein has announced the retirement of North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins, effective October 1. Daniel Johnson, who currently serves as NCDOT Deputy Secretary and General Counsel, will take over as secretary.
“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.
“We have much work ahead to strengthen our infrastructure in western North Carolina, as well as to lead our entire state into the future of transportation. With his record of public service, leadership, and expertise in transportation, Daniel Johnson is the right person for the job. I welcome him to the role and look forward to working together to build a safer, stronger, and better-connected North Carolina.”
Hopkins became Secretary of Transportation in October 2023 after serving as NCDOT’s chief operating officer. He contributed to developing North Carolina’s Strategic Prioritization Process, which improved how existing funding was used for infrastructure projects supporting economic growth and quality of life improvements. Under his leadership following Hurricane Helene, 97% of closed state-maintained roads were reopened within a year.
“It has been an honor to serve as Secretary of Transportation, and I am grateful to all the North Carolinians who put their trust in our team,” said Secretary of Transportation Joey Hopkins. “Daniel Johnson has been a valuable advisor to me, and I am proud to pass the torch to him.”
Johnson joined NCDOT in 2019 after working in private legal practice and serving as an assistant district attorney in Wake County. He also served as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy and received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism. Johnson is from Hickory, North Carolina, with degrees from 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.”
