Strickler, a native of Lexington will replace Molly Ward, a former mayor of Hampton.

Strickler has master's degrees in marine science and public policy from the College of William and Mary. He also has a bachelor's degree from Washington and Lee University, where he studied public policy and environmental studies.

"There's always been this balance between our economy and protecting our natural resources," said Northam, who grew up on the Eastern Shore and watched the crucial underwater grasses in the Chesapeake Bay decline, along with the populations of crabs and fish they support.

“The reason that I got into politics 10 years ago now, believe it or not, was because I care deeply about the bay. ... Our economy depends on a healthy environment," he said, though he also noted that his first priority as governor is to restore Virginia's stature as the "No. 1 state to do business."

Environmental issues have loomed large during outgoing Gov. Terry McAuliffe's term, including a pair of controversial natural gas pipelines that also featured prominently in the primary contest between Northam and former Democratic Congressman Tom Perriello, and how to best clean up millions of tons of coal ash left behind in unlined ponds across the state.