Stephanie Kopelousos is the new Secretary of Transportation for the state of Florida. Recently appointed by new Gov. Charlie Crist, Kopelousos is both the first female secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, but also the youngest person to ever hold this position.

Stephanie Kopelousos
Florida DOT Secretary

Stephanie C. Kopelousos was appointed Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation by newly elected Gov. Charlie Crist. Kopelousos took the leadership role at FDOT after more than a decade of professional experience in state and federal public policy, with an emphasis in transportation.From 2001 to 2005, Secretary Kopelousos served as the primary federal liaison for the Florida Departments of Transportation and Community Affairs in Washington, D.C. She oversees more than 7,000 employees and an annual budget of $8 billion. With the federal Highway Trust Fund estimated to reach a negative balance in 2009, state DOTs, including Floridas, are facing a critical period of time as they plan to address their local infrastructure needs.

Here, Secretary Kopelousos discusses the ideas she'll have in mind as Florida moves into this future of uncertain funding.