Chao served as George W Bush's deputy transportation secretary
Donald Trump will nominate Elaine Chao to be his transport secretary.
Chao had previously served as deputy transportation secretary under George W Bush and is the current wife of the Senate majority leader. Chao also served as labor secretary and Peace Corps director under Bush.
Born in Taiwan, Chao was the first Asian American woman to hold a position in cabinet, when serving under Bush from 2001 to 2009.
President-elect Donald Trump met with Chao at Trump Tower on 21 November 2016. Reportedly, the two “conversed about labor and transportation issues with a particular focus on America’s long-term infrastructure needs, and reducing or eliminating burdensome regulations”.
Chao will be the second person to be labor secretary, transportation secretary and the spouse of the Senate majority leader, following Elizabeth Dole.