Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Indian American attorney Prerak “Pre” Shah and three others to the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees, to strengthen the University’s governing body.
Besides Shah, the other new appointees with experience spanning business, law, healthcare, public service, and higher education are Victor Young, Roderick Harris, and Kenneth Jones. Their terms run through January 2031.
“It is an honor to welcome these distinguished leaders to the FAMU Board of Trustees,” said President Marva B. Johnson. “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.”
Young and Shah, appointed on Dec. 12, 2025, fill seats vacated by former Board of Trustee members Kristin Harper and Craig Reed following the conclusion of their respective terms.
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Shah is a partner in the Houston office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, where he advises corporations and executives facing complex state, federal, and congressional investigations.
His legal practice also includes representing clients in high-stakes civil litigation, particularly at the intersection of law, public policy, and politics. Shah’s work reflects deep experience navigating some of the most consequential legal and regulatory matters in the country.
Shah previously served as acting United States attorney for the Northern District of Texas, overseeing more than 120 prosecutors and serving as the chief federal law enforcement officer for a population exceeding eight million people.
His tenure included leading major prosecutions and investigations involving securities fraud, domestic terrorism, and violent crime.
Earlier, Shah served as chief of staff and chief counsel to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and as senior counsel to the attorney general of Texas.
He earned his Juris Doctor with honors from the University of Chicago Law School and clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.