Topeka ? Gov. Sam Brownback has appointed the owner of a McPherson construction company to lead the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Brownback introduced 52-year-old Mike King as transportation secretary during a news conference Friday. King’s appointment must be confirmed by the state Senate.

The governor said King has extensive experience in construction, including highway work. The new secretary has owned King Enterprise Group since 1991.

King said his company isn’t involved in any state highway projects and concentrates on projects for the oil and gas industry. However, he said, he will put his interests in a blind trust.

He’ll replace Barb Rankin, formerly KDOT’s chief counsel, who became acting secretary in December following the resignation of Deb Miller.

Miller stepped down after nearly nine years as secretary to take a private-sector job.