Youngkin names Steve Emery Cummings as secretary of finance

Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin has reached outside of Virginia for his secretary of finance — way outside, all the way to Tokyo via New York City.

Youngkin’s choice, Steve Emery Cummings, retired in March after more than five years as president and CEO of Mitsubishi FFJ Financial Group in the Americas, based in Manhattan. Cummings has worked in finance for more than 40 years.

Cummings, 66, spent much of that career in Charlotte, N.C., which supplanted Richmond 30 years ago as a hub of banking and financial services. Youngkin said his finance secretary shares a commitment to low taxes and fiscal conservatism to help Virginia compete more effectively with other states, especially in the Southeast, for economic development.

“Lowering taxes and restoring fiscal responsibility in Richmond is a primary focus of our Day One Game Plan, and Steve’s experience and expertise will help make sure we deliver real results for Virginians,” Youngkin said in announcing the pick on Wednesday…. (Excerpts from the Richmond Times-Dispatch)