President-elect Donald Trump has announced the nomination of Scott Turner as the next secretary of the department of housing and urban development.

The announcement was made on Truth Social, where Mr Trump highlighted Mr Turner’s accomplishments during his administration, particularly as the first executive director of the White House opportunity and revitalisation council.  

Mr Turner, a former NFL player from Texas, played a pivotal role in advancing the opportunity zones initiative, which was designed to drive private investment into economically distressed communities across the country. 

According to Mr Trump, Mr Turner’s leadership helped attract over “$50 billion in private investment” to these zones, resulting in significant economic development and community revitalisation efforts.  

During Mr Trump’s presidency, Mr Turner worked closely with former HUD Secretary Ben Carson to oversee a comprehensive programme that spanned 16 federal agencies and implemented more than 200 policy actions. 

Mr Turner’s contributions, Mr Trump stated, were instrumental in “transforming our country’s most distressed communities.”  

Over a nine-year career, Mr Turner played for the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos, earning a reputation for his leadership and work ethic on and off the field.  

After retiring from professional football, Mr Turner transitioned into business and public service. 

He became a motivational speaker and entrepreneur before entering politics, serving in the Texas House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017 as a Republican representing the 33rd District. 

In 2018, Mr Trump appointed Mr Turner as the revitalisation council’s executive director. 

In this role, he oversaw efforts to implement opportunity zones across the country, a programme aimed at fostering investment in underserved communities through tax incentives.  

Mr Turner’s mix of professional sports experience, political acumen, and commitment to community revitalisation has positioned him as a key figure in economic development initiatives.