TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Diya TV) — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Indian American attorney Prerak “Pre” Shah to the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees. Shah joins three other new members as the governor works to strengthen the board with experienced leaders in law, business, healthcare, and public service.
Shah’s term on the board will run from Jan. 7, 2026, through Jan. 6, 2031. He fills a seat vacated by former trustee Kristin Harper. Victor Young, another recent appointee, fills the seat of Craig Reed.
Prerak Shah is a senior attorney and former federal prosecutor. He is a partner in the Houston office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. In his role, Shah advises corporations and executives on complex state, federal, and congressional investigations. He also represents clients in high-stakes civil litigation. His work often intersects law, public policy, and politics.
Before joining Gibson Dunn in January 2026, Shah held several senior roles in government. He served as the acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas. In that position, he led one of the largest federal prosecutorial districts in the country. He oversaw more than 120 prosecutors handling cases involving securities fraud, healthcare fraud, public corruption, cybercrime, and national security threats.
Shah also served as the first assistant U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Texas. He was a deputy assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
Earlier in his career, Shah worked in the U.S. Senate as chief of staff and chief counsel to Senator Ted Cruz. He also served on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In addition, Shah held senior positions in the Texas Attorney General’s Office, including senior counsel to the attorney general and assistant solicitor general.
During his time in these roles, Shah was involved in major multistate litigation and enforcement actions. He advised on significant legal and policy matters at both the state and federal levels. Shah earned his Juris Doctor with honors from the University of Chicago Law School. He also clerked for Judge Jerry E. Smith on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Governor DeSantis appointed four new members to the FAMU Board of Trustees. Along with Shah, the appointees include Victor Young, Roderick Harris, and Kenneth Jones. Their terms will run from January 2026 through January 2031.
FAMU President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., praised the new members. “It is an honor to welcome these distinguished leaders to the FAMU Board of Trustees,” Johnson said. “Their outstanding backgrounds in law, business, and healthcare will bring added value to our existing board acumen as we work together to lead FAMU forward throughout the coming years.”
According to FAMU News, Shah and Young, appointed on Dec. 12, 2025, bring expertise in law and governance that will strengthen the university’s board. Shah’s legal practice, which spans civil litigation and corporate investigations, adds depth to the board’s collective experience.
The addition of Shah and the other new members reflects Governor DeSantis’s goal to enhance FAMU’s leadership team. Their combined experience in law, business, healthcare, and public service is expected to guide the university in strategic decision-making.
Shah’s background as a federal prosecutor and senior attorney equips him to handle complex legal and regulatory challenges. His experience in high-level government positions also provides valuable insight for university governance. FAMU leaders expect Shah’s legal expertise and leadership experience to help the board navigate significant issues, from compliance and policy to university growth initiatives.
