President Donald
Trump nominated Philip Bilden on Wednesday to replace Ray Mabus, the
longest-serving Navy secretary since World War I.
If
confirmed by the Senate, Bilden would become the 76th secretary of
the Navy. He is the third person to be nominated to lead one of the
armed forces, following Heather Wilson as Air Force secretary and
Vinnie Viola as Army secretary. All current secretaries will have to
vacate their seats if Trump's nominees are approved.
“All three of these nominees have my utmost confidence,”
Defense Secretary James Mattis said. “They will provide strong
civilian leadership to strengthen military readiness, gain full value
from every taxpayer dollar spent on defense, and support our service
members, civilians, and their families.”
Bilden, a former military intelligence officer, recently retired
as a co-founding member of HarbourVest
Partners, a global private equity investment management firm.
“Philip Bilden will apply his terrific judgment and top-notch
management skills to the task of rebuilding our unparalleled Navy,”
Trump said.
Trump taps Bilden for top Navy post
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