Virginia’s Commerce and Trade Secretary Caren Merrick announced on LinkedIn that she is resigning from her position in Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s cabinet. The announcement comes after Youngkin attempted to move Merrick over to Secretary of Natural Resources and appoint former state Senate candidate Juan Pablo Segura as her replacement.
“Working alongside Governor Youngkin and his exceptional team has been a privilege and a defining chapter in my life,” Merrick wrote. “As I transition back to the private sector, I eagerly anticipate contributing to Virginia’s burgeoning economy, fostering growth, and supporting thriving communities.”
The Washington Post first reported that Youngkin planned to move Merrick and replace her with Segura. Virginia Scope confirmed this Thursday morning with an individual who has knowledge of the situation.
Youngkin made it official Thursday afternoon when he announced that Segura has been appointed to fill Merrick’s position.
Juan Pablo is the son of Enrique Segura, the President and CEO of Securiport LLC. Erique is also the chairman of the board of ENSE Group, a holding company in Washington, D.C., U.S.A., with revenues of $3 billion and operations in more than 45 countries worldwide.
Juan Pablo ran for the state Senate in 2023 and lost to Democrat Russet Perry.
In her statement posted on Linkedin, Merrick talked about the work she did during the last three years.
“Together, we have accomplished remarkable feats, including surpassing $100 billion in capital investments, facilitating the launch of 15,000 high-wage high-growth startups at an unprecedented pace, and securing the prestigious title of America’s Top State for Business by CNBC,” she wrote. “We launched an All American All of the Above Energy Plan and so much more. These initiatives have revitalized Virginia’s economy and paved the way for even greater prosperity.”